Eleanor | 9 Months

9 months was a big one for Eleanor! I feel like we are seeing her own little, unique personality emerge a bit more each day.

 9 month old Eleanor likes...

to smile and wave

peekaboo

being chased

playing on mommy's bed

her binky

being tickled

touch and feel books

 9 month old Eleanor dislikes...

when somebody (Jack) grabs something from her

diaper changes

outfit changes

wearing headbands :(

Health: Eleanor weighs 18lbs and is 28 1/4 in long. She's only gained a pound in the last 3 months but she has grown over 2 inches and is healthy and happy. She is still in size 3 diapers and mostly in 9 month clothes although we did move up a size to 12 months in pajamas. I am happy to report that Eleanor no longer displays signs of reflux. I have added bananas back into her diet, which she seems to tolerate perfectly fine now, but still avoid all dairy that is not baked in. It's crazy to think where she was just 2 months ago with her reflux and other GI complications and how far we've come in such little time.. and how much she's changed!

Nursing: I feel like Eleanor is not nursing as often during the day now but she most definitely is nursing more at night. She is cutting her two top teeth so I'm pretty sure her nighttime snacking is just for comfort due to those pesky teeth! I'd say I nurse Eleanor at least 4-5 a day and 4-5 times at night (I am face-palming right now...believe me).

Solids: Wow! Just last month I felt like I was still force feeding Eleanor when it came to solids. She honestly just had no interest and would clamp her mouth shut every time I tried. But this month it's like all of a sudden her reflux symptoms disappear and girlfriend is loving to eat! It is so nice to see her enjoying eating something other than breastmilk! Haha.. Some favorites are carrots, peas, applesauce, potatoes, prunes, blueberries, and coconut milk freeze dried fruit snacks. I honestly just think that before now solids irritated her reflux symptoms causing uncomfortable flareups, but maybe...possibly...hopefully...she's outgrown her reflux? Praying that's the case!

Sleeping: Eleanor is still taking 2 naps a day. First nap is 2-2.5 hours after she wakes up, and her second nap is 3 hours after waking up from her first nap. It's rare for either nap to be much longer than an hour. For night time sleep.... I don't even know. Baby girl is definitely cutting those two top teeth and she has just been waking up all.the.time. I'm so exhausted that I haven't even been keeping track. I usually bring her into bed with me after the first two night wakings and then just nurse her back to sleep each time she wakes after that. I just want as much rest as possible and do whatever I need to do to get her to sleep again as quickly as I am able to.

New This Month: This has been such a fun month to watch our sweet Eleanor grow! Her personality is through the roof! She loves to smile and laugh and is very social! People always comment on how happy she is when we're out and about together. She is constantly waving and then clapping for herself and squealing with delight at the reactions she gets from other people. She LOVES to play peekaboo and is constantly throwing one of her blankets over her head and will just stay under there until you ask, "Where is Ellie?" It seriously is the cutest thing I've ever seen. She isn't as into books as her brother was at her age, but she definitely will sit still and listen along if you're reading a touch-and-feel book. We read the few touch-and-feel books that we have a couple times a day. She has become obsessed with "Jack's drawer." One of our bottom drawers in the kitchen is just full of Jack's cups, plates, and bowls and she loves to open it and take everything out... multiple times a day, of course :). Also new this month is controlled standing. She hasn't tried taking any steps, but she can pull herself up to a standing position and then ease herself back onto the floor. I remember not long after Jack learned how to do that he was walking. For now Eleanor seems content speed crawling after her brother and cruising along the furniture. She is also very vocal...mama, dada, baba, and lots of other babbling are pretty much heard all throughout the day now.

Eleanor Joy, I love you silly, fun, and adventurous little girl! You bring a smile to my face everyday and I am so grateful for the joy you bring this family every day! Happy 9 months, beautiful girl!