Between Seasons of Life: 9 Months!

Between seasons... Just as we experienced a mix of warm, sunny days fragranced by the blooming daffodils and hyacinth of spring and days watching from the heated window at cold wet snow flakes this month, Judah also experienced periods of growth as the seasons of his life changed. This March, Judah went from crawling around the house, to climbing the stairs, to walking between things, to pushing his little car from behind, and finally to taking his first step all by himself. Judah also went from eating pureed solid foods, to a cheerios binge, to finally eating small slices of food. Judah then went from just babbling to saying "DA DA" and "MA MA" only to say "Woof" as well. And at last Judah went from riding in the stroller to eating dirt, playing in the green grass, and enjoying his first ride in the swing at the park.


As Judah was posing for his 9 month pictures, I realized how fast he is growing. He now weighs 17 pounds and 12 ounces (as of March 11 from his 9 month appointment). It probably has something to do with the fact that he somehow finds his leftover cheerios on the floor before we do (I swear Maestro is getting heavy too). We added beans, turkey, egg yolk (which he might be allergic too), green beans, and cottage cheese to his diet. He continues to grow taller at 27 inches and his 9 month clothes are suddenly 3/4 sleeves and high waters. His hair still is getting thicker and longer so much so that with a collar it looks like a mullet. Grandma Kreis mentioned that the now slightly wavy hair is the same color as mine when I was little.

Judah has become quite the communicator and orator this month. This boy is quite the talker and thankfully his ear surgery has permitted him to imitate more sounds instead of screaming. He now to our delight says "DA DA" and "MA MA, " although he learned "DA DA" first (no bitter feelings - but neither is on command yet). He has also started letting you know what he wants by reaching out for an object or holding his arms out to you to be held. Judah has even started throwing a temper tantrum by letting you know when he is not happy that you take something away. Shaking his head no, he will tell you he is not hungry or mimic you telling him no (often a common occurrence when it comes to the cat food). Guess his St. Patrick's Day shirt says it all, "Lucky Charmer."

Judah is more on the move than ever before. He is fast, finding everything imaginable, and very curious. Judah takes more steps on his own or stands up for longer amounts of time without holding onto anything (and even stands on purpose). In addition to walking along things like the couch, he will walk between one piece of furniture to another. His balance has really improved. He has grown a little taller which has allowed him to bang into some of the furniture more or reach on top of things (I keep having to move things a little higher). By the middle of the month (March 11), Judah started to push his bike and walk across the room on his own. And we finally had to get another gate for the bottom of the steps as one day after it got real quiet, I found he had climbed halfway up the steps (by himself). Finally, Judah took his first steps on his own. Judah was standing at his chair but his ball and sock were on another chair about a foot away. Without thinking, he let go and walked to the other chair to retrieve both items (Tim was able to see it as it happened just about the time he got home from work). Ever since, he has walked a few times on his own but usually without thinking to get something.

Judah has become more playful. He loves to be chased and so often you will find me out of breath from crawling behind him and tickling him. Sometimes we play Peek-a-Boo where I will hide behind a corner or Judah will close the upstairs bedroom door and he will crawl over to see me jump out in surprise. Still other times, Judah will help me push his cars/trucks across the room, making motor sounds. And we certainly love to roll the balls or the rings on the floor or in the laundry basket. Judah will sit and play with his Little People Barn more now. Perhaps his favorite toy at the beginning of the month was his ball popper; He will stand up next to it, turn it on, and try really hard to keep the balls from popping. He really smiles as the air blows in his face and the balls escape his grasp. Occasionally he will grab a couple of balls, stand on his own (for quite a long time), and bang them together. Toward the end of the month, Judah really enjoyed walking behind his car moving it from one side of the room to another.

Judah has also enjoyed the arts more. We borrowed a toy we call the "Rock Band" that allows Judah to play instruments, watch himself in the mirror, and dance to music. You will often find him with his tambourine and maraca in hand swaying to the beat. Being interested in shaking things gave us the idea of putting rice and popcorn in his clear bottles so that he can shake them as well as bang momma's bowls together as well. Listening to music has become one of Judah's favorite pastimes.

Judah, who also loves to read books, enjoyed his first trip to the library this month. As soon as we got to the shelf of board books, he stood up and started pulling them off the shelf. Reading to him a few books at a time, he engagingly follows along often helping you turn the pages or interacting the "Touch-n-Feel" spots. At home, we read several of his favorite books like Barnyard Dance (Sandra Bouynton) and Brown Bear, Brown Bear (Eric Carle), before nap time. Occasionally he will chuckle or touch the pictures in delight. Spending time at the library is complete with playing puzzles, games, and even enjoying the vent blowing on our hair. Judah and I have visit story time on Friday mornings as well to hear the songs, stories, and to make new friends.

A few sunny, warm days in March did allow us to get outside to stroll and play. As soon as the thermometer warmed up to 50 degrees, we were outside (yes all bundled up but we were outside). Judah and I started up our walks again as much as the weather permitted. Already Judah and I are walking further than last fall as we stroll to Valley Junction to window shop, through the neighborhood, or on the trail and back. Our friends, Hopelynn and Lexi have joined us a few times at the park and for a walk. On such a day, Judah enjoyed his first swing ride at the park. He kept bouncing as if he wanted to go higher and faster. Judah's first experience in the grass was a little unnerving as he did not know what to think of the spiky grass. For a while he would not move or pull his hand back when he touched the grass. Now that Judah is older, he spends time outside playing in the grass and of course eating dirt. Out of jealousy, Maestro sneaks out to sniff the flowers and roll in the dirt (naughty kitty).


All this running around has unfortunately caused us to pick up some more germs. For the second round this year (since January) Tim and I fought nasty sinus colds while Judah had to be on the nebulizer every 4 hours and antibiotics for RSV. With the crib still at a slant and the vaporizer plugged in, we were stocking up on Kleenex and trying to rest as much as possible for the first few weeks of March. This makes it hard on Judah as it ruins a nap schedule of any kind and lowers his appetite. To help him settle down, we have been putting him back in his swing, sitting it in front of the TV, and turning on Baby Mozart as a distraction. You know he is out of sorts when he falls asleep to the TV. At least his ears were fine, thanks to the ear surgery. It has been a blessing to see him function a little better with balance and. Now that the weather is getting warmer, we have also seen an improvement in his eczema. And Judah also started sleeping through the night better.

This month has been busy for Tim and I as well. Tim has had to fill in the gap for another employee leaving the Boys and Girls Club. In addition, he selected his class for next year while maintaining his current schedule of meetings, technical work, and YLI. He continues to sing at church on Sunday mornings. Tim celebrated his 29th birthday on the 31st by going to lunch at the Drake Diner with Judah and I and his favorite supper of meatloaf. Earlier that week, we also went out on a date to celebrate while Judah hung out with his friend Lexi.

I have been busy washing a lot of sheets as again we have had enjoyed a lot of company this month such as Grandparents, Aunt Rachel, and friends. With the warmer weather, Judah and I have been going on little outings (so much easier to take him out of his car seat instead of hauling it around) such as the Iowa Statehouse. At the beginning of the month, we went to see our friends, the Anderls, in Minnesota for an extended weekend.