Jack at 9 Months

Jack's Top Three's for Nine Months

Top 3 Cutest Things He Does:
1.  The other day I was waving at Jack and he flailed his little arm.  I was so excited, I said, "Chris Jack just waved!" Chris was a doubting Thomas, "No he didn't." But sure enough, we tried waving to him again and he flailed his little arm.  I love it so much!  The other day I was getting ready and he was standing up in his pack-n-play looking at me.  Just his little eyes were peeking over.  Then I waved at him and his wee little hand came up and waved at me!  Who knew a tiny little movement of the appendages could fill my heart with so much joy?
2.  When he is tired he giggles like a mad person.  That doesn't sound very cute, but trust me, it is.
3.  When he is scared or uncomfortable he crawls over to my lap or feet so that I can cuddle him.  I just love that he is starting to know who I am.

Top 3 Least Cute Things He Does:
1. He has taken to biting.  One can't leave their toes unattended or they will get chomped.  I don't think he does it maliciously, he just puts everything in his mouth.
2.  He has learned what he is not allowed to play with, and he will look over at me before he goes and plays with it.  Then when I try to say, "No" or put him in time-out, he just giggles at me.  I don't know how to let him know not to do something without him thinking it's a game.  Any advice?
3.  He has had screaming fits the past couple of days.  I think his teeth are coming in, so these fits are more sad then anything else.  I just want to help him, but sometimes I don't know how.

Top 3 Favorite Things:
1.  When Chris tickles him.  Especially if he's already a little tired.  He just can't stop laughing.
2.  Being held.
3.  Playing with the drawers and cupboards.

Top 3 Least Favorite Things:
1.  When Chris or I leave the room.  I think he is feeling a little unsettled because of all of the traveling we have been doing this summer.  So, it get's him pretty upset if he thinks one of us is leaving him.
2.  Teething.
3.  Being restricted in any way, whether it be his Bumbo or car seat...he just likes to move.

Top 3 Funniest Things He Does:
1.  He has learned how to get himself out of his Bumbo.  He just sort of flips over the side.  But, when the tray is on, he can't get out.  The other day though he discovered that he can flip the whole thing over, tray and all, and scoot around like a turtle.

2.  Apparently, while Chris was showering with Jack, Jack kept crawling over to the faucet.  Then he would turn the knob down so the water came out freezing cold.  He would gasp and start to shiver and Chris would turn the water up.  Then Jack would just go back and turn the water down again.  I guess this went on the whole shower.  Clearly Jack still hasn't grasped the concept of cause and effect.  Or maybe he just likes being cold.
3.  He crawls into furniture a lot.  He knows it's there but he just plows on ahead anyways.

Top 3 Accomplishments:
1.  Jack wasn't learning to crawl.  He would just scoot everywhere.  This was distressing to us.  To Chris because all he's ever wanted is smart children.  And me, because all I ever wanted is cute children.  And, Jack would always pick up dirt and hair on his stomach from scooting.  A guy in our ward was watching Jack scoot one Sunday and being a physical therapist, told us some exercises to do with Jack.  We did them a few times and sure enough he started to crawl...finally.  Chris and I both felt great relief at this.  Chris isn't as worried that Jack is behind and I don't have to worry about getting all of the stains out of his clothes or picking all of the unidentified hairs off of his stomach.
2.  Waving!
3.  Two more of his top teeth are almost in.

Look at that dainty pinky.

Look at that big mouth.  Jack was looking at Chris.  I'm not quite sure what Chris was doing to get such a response out of the Jack-O.

I think Jack's teeth nowadays make him look like a little baby hippo.  The top ones are so big and so far apart.

I just love that Jack-celot more than all of the things (besides Chirs).