Ryan is 9 months old!

I realized sometime this past week that I only have two more monthly blog posts until I will be announcing that my baby boy is one year old!!!?? How did that happen?? People always say that time flies, well it's amazing how true that really is.  This past month Ryan has kept us very busy, Mom especially, as Dad has had lots of commitments (work, guys weekend) that has taken some of his time away.  Hopefully November and December will be filled with lots of family time as we enjoy all the holidays. (Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite time of year!!)

Here is some of the latest with regards to Ryan:

• Dr's appt (11/8) stats: Weight: 21lb 14oz (75th%) Length: 30 in (95th%)
• He now has 6 teeth, 4 on top and 2 on bottom
• Wearing size 3 diapers, clothing: size 9 month (2 piece, pants) and 12 month (1 piece, pj's, and most Fall/Winter clothes)
• Fits size 4 shoe (although he hates wearing shoes, unfortunately)
• Nursing 4 times a day (pretty routine- 8am, noon, 4pm, 8pm- variances by like 30 min)
• Sleeping varies still need to work on this, but to bed around 8pm and up around 7:30am for the day with a random wakening usually around 4-5am, but sometimes 3:30am :-(
• Enjoys games such as peek-a-boo, where's Ryan, knocking over stacking cups, chasing after Dad and Toby crawling, throwing balls (or really any toy), and banging things together or against the wall 
• He recognizes and seems to understand many words including his name, no, out, up, more, eat, nap, goodnight, bye bye, hi, kitty, Dadda, Mamma- some phrases: "come here", "let's go", "where is...."
• He continues to love music
• He loves to turn off light switches (he gets very excited about this, except is hesitant when he knows he's turning it off for nap time)
• Waves hi and bye (whispers words as though saying hi and bye, but usually comes out dada)
• Gives high fives and low fives
• Giggles when he is pleased at something he has done
• Still LOVES the kitty! (Toby is so patient with the hitting, tail pulling, fur removal, and "tasting" I'm so glad!)
• Recently he hates having his clothes put on, but doesn't mind helping you take clothes OFF! Especially over his head. Hopefully this is just a phase
• Helps on laundry day by handing me clothes to put in the washer and pulls clothes out of the dryer (to the floor-not as helpful!) I like trying to get him involved. I think he enjoys learning and the approval of being a good helper to Mom.
• He is much more interested in books this month- and will actually sit or stand to listen and pay attention most of the time- some favorites include "Goodnight Gorilla", "Knuffle Bunny", "Brown Bear", "Opposites", "I Love you Through and Through" (and still old favorites the Monster and peek-a-who books)
• He walks around furniture and in the past few weeks has mastered going from the couch to the table and back which he finds great fun!
• He is standing for longer and longer periods of time. In the beginning he would just let go and stand a few seconds, but when the Campbells were over last week he stood for almost a full minute alone unassisted. He seems to have great balance already.
• He has taken two steps for Mike and I on two different occasions, but we're not pushing him along with the walking because it would be nice for him to wait another month or so. I'm thinking Christmas we'll be out of luck though- only time will tell!! :)

I think these are some of the highlights from the past month. Ryan has had a mild cold with some coughing which has kept him under the weather for about a week and with the addition of two more teeth last week it was challenging there for awhile. I know he wasn't feeling well, but it's always a balancing act trying to not over medicate, but make sure you're giving them what they need to feel better.  Ryan seems to be in happier spirits and back to his happy & silly self.  Some nights of sleep have been really good too, but others not so much. I am obviously hopeful that nighttime becomes more consistent with sleep for at least a little while before the next tooth presents itself. (please give us a break teeth!!) I'm also asked a lot about weaning and when I plan to do so.  I truly go back and forth about it, but everything has gone well so far although it is starting to be more tiring for me.  The AAP recommends going to 12 months, but I'm not sure I want to just start weaning in February. My thought right now is in the next month or so I will cut his nursing to twice a day so he is still getting the benefits of breast milk, but for me it's not quite as often and give him formula for the other two feedings, then slowly ease off maybe around Christmas time? If not, then at least pump and offer in sippy cup once or twice a day. Then in February switch him from formula to cows milk. I had hoped to go from nursing to cows milk, but just not sure I'm gonna make it. I'm proud of the amount of time that I've nursed and I think it's been beneficial for us both. We'll take it one day at a time and go from there. Sorry I've not been good at keeping up with the blog this month. Hopefully everyone can catch up with our family through facebook posts and pictures! Happy November everyone!