Nibbles at Nine Months

Okay, at this point, she's actually ten months. But, the professional photos were taken at nine months, when I intended to write this post. . .Hannah has been quite busy over the last four months. She has gotten two teeth, which have been instrumental in destroying evidence of her brother's attempts at learning (see My Sister Ate My Homework).

She has learned how to crawl. Similar to her brother, she mastered the military crawl first (moving her arms while dragging the lower half of her body behind her). For a while, we didn't think she could crawl on her hands and knees. She would attempt it in the bath tub (rocking back and forth before pouncing on a toy), but never anywhere else. It finally dawned on us that she COULD crawl like a normal baby, albeit at a slower pace than her military crawl. She chose not to crawl on all fours because she can get around faster on her belly. Meaning, she has a better chance of keeping up with Trouble. . .

Hannah also realized that she doesn't need mom to pull herself up. Many other things will suffice: furniture, cabinets, her brother. And, these same objects are also great for stability when no one is around to hold your hands and help you walk. This combination, coupled with the same curiosity that her brother has, have made her quite the trouble maker in her own rite. So much so, that we have dubbed her "Trouble #2" or "Tiny Trouble".The baby who wouldn't even sit up in her crib now stands up and bounces in it. Never very fond of napping, the daycare staff have had to hide at naptime until she falls asleep. Otherwise, she stands up in her crib, just tall enough to for her eyes to peak over the half wall.She can climb upstairs. Well, at least up one step. She's never had the chance to get any further. Honestly, after seeing her successfully navigate one, we immediately purchased and installed a baby gate. And, she can open cabinets, goading us with her smile as if to say "Look what I can get into. Caught you unprepared, did I? Need to catch up on baby proofing, do you?"

Yes, in general, Hannah at nine months is quite entertaining. And exhausting. She is on a mission to do what her brother does. Only problem, she is four and a half years younger, and has both the determination and impatience of her mother. . . a lethal combination.

Love, The Trahans