Nine and a half months?

Can it really be that you are that old? And fixing to have your first Christmas? First bday seems closer and closer all the time. Mommy got a little sappy in Target the other day when she was looking for PJs for Christmas for you... out of the newborn section. Had to go to the big girl section... No more footies? I know it can't be true so I'll just have to track some down.
You are very content just to entertain yourself for a long time. Everything you encounter is an opportunity for exploration... whether you should be in it or not. And as for the stairs at Nanny's house, can't hardly walk and you know you want to go up them.
You have gotten a little more clingy. You really need to try to be clingy with Daddy... you cry when I leave the room even if Daddy is with you. Crawl after us and look for us sobbing the whole time. Still okay with being left at daycare without problems. And being passed around to strangers is no problem either - happy with everyone.
You have six teeth - four top, two bottom. And eating anything. You seem to do okay with eating baby food at daycare, but you are most happy at home if you get to feed yourself finger foods. Really like cheese! But who can blame ya? Still not too excited about drinking your formula out of a sippy cup... we need to work on that. And still taking a bottle right before bed - we need to work on that. And getting you a night time routine. Mommy has guilt about not brushing your teeth! Hard to do that if you're sucking on that bottle until you fall asleep. But you are sleeping through the night!
So happy... when Daddy went to Katy for the new pool party you just hung out in your play pen outside watching. How many babies would do that? Still haven't gotten in it - a little cold. But we will be ready come spring time... or earlier in the spa!
Lots of sounds. Just this week the "tickle tickle" came back for no reason. You frustration when you can't explain to us sure makes me wish I had been dedicated to that sign language idea. Mama and dada --- still not super sure it's specific. Seems to come out when we leave the room though. Have definite sounds though. I just haven't figured them out all the way yet. You talk all the time to yourself - at daycare they tell me they enjoy it.
One of the owners of daycare told me the other day you have amazing hearing - she says you sing back to her in pitch and she's super impressed. I hadn't noticed that specifically, but you do repeat two syllables back if I am showing you something. Daddy tells me the two of you sing anytime you're in the car - real songs and Daddy's made up songs. Which explains to Mommy why you fuss in the car unless I'm singing/talking to you. And you really like kid CDs - especially though if they have kids singing. You prefer those.
Yes, you are playing with the dog collars - I told you nothing is off limits. You love to play with the doors and cabinets and drawers in the bathroom. Open and close. Until you smack your finger in them. And getting really curious at getting things out of them... Daddy still hasn't put the child-protecting thingys on yet.
And still love that ball of Maggie's. Really like when Mommy helps you throw it to her... You giggle!
For bath time, you have upgraded to a full bath without the blowup. Like it a lot more with the rubber mat. A little less wobbly. Still have trouble not standing up, but you know when you're in trouble. Most of the time, you sit back down. Seem to do better with Mommy than Daddy. Getting better though. Sometimes still defiant, but for the most part, very obedient and good.
They tell me at daycare, you don't share very well! You are getting better at reading. Like looking at the books. Some still go in the mouth but not as many. And you like voices. When a funny voice comes out of Mommy or Daddy, you turn around and look at us. This makes Mommy so happy cause she wants to read with you --- with you a willing participant.
This is the way you always look sweet girl - snotty. Even on Zyrtec. Snotty nose. Cough. Now you have an eye infection. You impress the people I work with because you are still so happy even when sick. I have a feeling though you will be less agreeable with your next well child visit. Sure don't like being held down or changed or getting dressed. Daddy said we should have a game show where they dress you as you crawl and roll away. Hopefully, this will get easier soon.
This is you happy baby... Happy. And so easy going. You love your daddy, and he loves to make you giggle. Said the other day he could hear that every day for the rest of his life and never get tired of it. Very ticklish - and love the attention. You clap these days when you're excited. Bounce up and down and clap.
You are such a blessing sweet girl... We love being your parents! And everyone who knows you loves you and talks about how happy you are!
Addendum: Make that 7 teeth - this is why we were drooling last week!