9 month stats

Jack and I went to the doctor on Thursday for his 9 month check up.

Here are his stats:

Weight: 21 lbs 15 oz. (71%)

Height: 29.25 inches (80%)

Head: 46.25 cm. (75%)

Though he's had a cold for just about ever, his lungs sounded clear and his ears looked great.  His skin is splotchy with eczema and Dr. Havlik recommended a new lotion to try called Vanicream.  Physically, he is great!

Developmentally, he is doing great, also.  He can pass something from one hand to another.  He can use a pincer grasp to pick up things.  He responds to his name.  He can pull himself up to standing.  He crawls.  He babbles.  

The only two questions the doctor asked that I couldn't answer right were 1) can he clap his hands together and 2) can he get your attention or point if there is something he wants.  For the first question, I think I answered yes, but then realized that he doesn't really clap.  We've never really worked on that and no, I don't think I've seen him do it.  Molly did it all the time at this age, but not Jack.  We'll work on it.

The second question was interesting because it made me think how independent and resourceful this little boy is even at 9 months.  If he's trapped somewhere, like in his bed or in his highchair, then yes, he'll make a lot of noise to get our attention.  But, when he is free to roam about the cabin, he is bound and determined to figure things out for himself.  He'll pull himself up, push things out of the way, reach as far as he can, and just do about whatever he can to get what he wants, very quietly and focused.  It will be interesting to see how this trait characterizes him as he gets older.

What else does Jack do at 9 months.  He babbles and interrupts Molly and I when we are talking in the car. It's like he needs to get his comments in.  He sometimes yells, "ohhhhhhhh," when Molly starts singing in the car (like he wants to join in with that, too.)  He can say, "uh oh,"  "mamamama," and can wave bye-bye, but not generally on command.  

He never holds still.  He wiggles on your lap, bonks his head 7 times a day, insists on holding his own bottle, picks up any small object he can find and puts it in his mouth, loves to follow his sister around, thinks sitting under a table is really cool, and loves to smile and be tickled. 

He hates his nose being wiped.  He squirms like crazy during a diaper change unless you can give him something new and exciting to hold on to for a couple of minutes.  He loves the bath tub and can make a bigger splash mess and with less water than his sister.  He's even screamed the last couple of times I've taken him out of the tub.  He pulls his socks off in the car.  Shoes are a lost cause except on Sunday when I insist he wears them.  

That's about it.  He's just a cute, happy, determined little boy!  We love you!