Happy 9 Months to Hunk!

My little boy is nearly a year old. He's nine months old today and as handsome as ever. He's such a blessing to have in our family, and I honestly can't begin to imagine how we could have ever done without our sweet boy.

So in addition to eggs, Mr. Hunk is allergic to zuchinni and I'm assuming oats. He ate some pancake the other day that had oats in them, and he immediately broke out. He's had a different pancake recipe before that didn't have oats in it, and he didn't break out then. So that's why I assume it's the oats.

But we finally found something that this boy can eat--and boy does he love to eat blackberries! They were very tasty to the big kids, too! But this cutie took blackberry love to a whole new level--and he didn't break out!

 Here are some fun facts about our Bo-Bo (that's what he's often called around here thanks to a certain little sister). 

He is 20.5 pounds last I weighed him. We haven't been to the doctor for his check up yet, so I'll have to get official stats later. 

He is is 12 month clothing. Some of them are getting a little snug though, while others remain perfectly roomy. He's also in a size 4 diaper. 

 I'm still able to pump all of his milk needs, so his eczema has been doing so much better. However, I noticed his legs and arms were starting to get bad again, now that we're adding in more solids.

 And speaking of solids... this boy loves to eat his puffs, rice crackers, broccoli, potato, sweet potato, chicken, apple, grapes, and of course blackberries!

I may have given him a bite of strawberry pie tonight!

 He's just now starting to be more active on the floor. I really don't think he's behind naturally. I think he's behind because of our lifestyle (read: always on the go), and the fact that he just likes to be held. When you have 7 people who are willing to hold you pretty much anytime of the day, you will probably be delayed in floor exercises.

 Just this week he has been going from sitting down into the crawling position. He tries so hard to crawl once he gets there, but he usually ends up just scooting backwards or to the either side. Daddy even caught him scooting on his hiney. As long as he's getting where he wants to be, I'm not too worried.

 (I realize several of these pictures look quite similar, but I promise you they're not the same picture. I just couldn't decide which ones to add--so I added all my favs).

 My little guy is sleeping pretty well. Instead of going down for a nap around 9, he is now stretching his "wake time" until 11 or 11:30. Then he naps until mid-afternoon. This makes lunch time a ton easier, but I also never really get a true break now. That's okay, I know soon enough I'll be walking around this house wondering what I should do without 12 little feet running after me.

After he wakes up from his nap around 2 or 3, he will stay up until bed time. And because of all the games we've been at this summer, his "bed time" varies. But the routine doesn't vary.

 On a good night, he and I will get his pj's on, drink his ba-ba, and start to rock in his rocking chair around 8pm. Once I rock him, he's out like a light. This makes me melt because other routines have been tried with other people (daddy), and it just doesn't work. It's like he needs me to snuggle up to in order to fall asleep. I love it!

 During the day he is constantly entertained by five cute girls who all swoon over his charming personality and good looks. Lucky boy!

He loves to jump when he's being held. It seems like he needs to be constantly moving--just like when he was in utero! So one of his favorite toys is still his jumper. He also likes just about any toy that he can interact with--even if all that means is putting it in his mouth. Yes, friends, everything must be inspected with his mouth. At least he's not mobile yet so I can really control his immediate environment for things he will be "inspecting."

I love you little Bo-Bo. You brighten my days and make me all gushy. I love that you complete our family in the most perfect way. Thank you for all your goofy smiles, precious laughs, and slobbery, wet kisses. I couldn't go a day without them!