Nine months!

{I may have missed someone's eight-month update, but am going back to finish it off soon..sigh, .the life of a mom}

My dearest Kiyomi-bear!

You are nine months old today!  Time has flown, and you've developed so quickly.  We had a lot of firsts this month, including your first airplane flight to NYC, and your first night sleeping somewhere besides your crib.  You handled the airports and airplane like a champ, playing with toys, exploring the airplane with daddy, and eating a.lot.of.puffs.  The trip to New York was so fun!  We travelled with another family, whom you love love love.  They made you smile a lot.  You also made a lot of people in New York smile, even the scary-looking, tough guys on the subway!  To charm them, you started to clap your hands together, and then they imitated you, which made you smile.  Thinking about it makes ME smile!  You were also called, "The world's cutest baby" in a craft store.  The ladies oooohed and aaaaahed over you!

You love books.  Both listening to them being read.  And eating them.  I'm just glad you love them!

You didn't nap all that well in NY, especially when you were in your travel crib.  You napped your 2 daily naps on the go in the Onya carrier and your stroller, but it was SO HOT in Manhattan that you always woke up quite sweaty.  Actually, when you sweat, you get the world's cutest sweat beads on your nose.  A-dorable!  Sleeping overnight in NY wasn't a problem, and you actually slept through the night for 4 out of the 5 nights.  The last night, and after we got home, you have been doing your usual wake-up at around 5 am.  

New sensory experiences can be messy.

Napping on the go in NYC. 

You're also really loving to pull yourself up to a standing position.  In fact, today, you did it over and over while giggling.  Pulling yourself up from sitting to standing apparently makes you stupendously happy! You're not crawling quite yet, but are pushing yourself with your arms and legs and are belly-surfing somewhat. 

You're eating most foods now, especially sweet things.  You love those fruits!  Some things you don't like are peaches and mangoes.  I think you find them too sour, as you scrunch up your face in dislike whenever I try to give them to you.  You're beginning to really like feeding yourself, and even learned to suck your food out of those squeeze packs!  You tend to suck too much out, so the food overflows out of your mouth, but you're really getting the hang of it.

You're wearing 12-month and 18-month clothing because of your long torso, and your big cloth diaper.  You're 71 cm long and weigh 18.3 lbs.

This month, we dedicated you at the JGCT.  It was such a wonderful experience to have everyone in the church stand to show that they support us in raising you.  You're part of an enormous family that loves you! We continue to pray that God will give your papa and I wisdom to raise you.  We love you Kiyomi!!  You have the world's cutest laugh, and you continue to bring so much joy to our lives.

Love,

Your mama