Show and Tell with the Takalas: Nine Months

It hardly seems right that our baby girl is already nine months old! She is growing up so quickly and she is turning more into a little girl and out of a baby. This month saw a few new things, but mostly it was just continuing in the things she had begun during month eight. It was an easy month, which was certainly welcome after the craziness of last month! We made it through with no sicknesses for Emily (although Mom, Dad, and Mimi had strep) and no more car accidents. Thank goodness!

More teeth!: This month we welcomed teeth five, six, and seven. I didn't think anything could be cuter than Emmy's gummy smile, but it turns out her toothy smile is right up there!
On the go: She has perfected the art of crawling, pulling up, and going from standing back to sitting. She is into everything and she loves to be standing up most of all. We bought her a walker thinking that she would enjoy that, but she hates to be contained. At the beginning of the month she still toppled over every once in awhile when she was sitting and playing, but she rarely falls over anymore. Her balance is improving and I think we may have a walker or at least a stander by the end of month ten!
Weaning: I had fully intended to breast feed Emmy at least until her first birthday, but this month she began to wean herself. She still breast feeds first thing in the morning, but it is very rare that I can get her to BF any other time. Even the morning feedings are short and sweet much of the time. She began refusing her night BF right after her eight month birthday and hasn't looked back. I think the bottle just must be more efficient and faster. Our girl is VERY independent, so this doesn't surprise me at all.
Big girl food: Towards the end of the month, Emily perfected her pincer grasp and now loves to feed herself. We had been giving her rice puffs and yogurt melts for a couple months, but we had to put them in her mouth. Now, she does it all by herself! In addition to those baby snacks she's been having for awhile, this month she fed herself cantaloupe, mozzarella cheese, bananas, and macaroni. She also eats cheerios at Mrs. Leslie's house.
Talking: No official first word yet, but she says "mama" fairly often. We just don't think she's completely making the connection yet. She babbles all. the. time. She also loves to "sing."
Independent play: Emmy has gotten much better at independent play. Although she'd rather be crawling around exploring, she often sits and plays with her toys and books on her own.

This month, Emily is measuring 19 lbs 9 oz (65th %,) 31 inches long (97+%,) and her head is 18 inches (80%.) She is still wearing a size 2 diaper and her clothes are 6-9 months. She wears a size 2 shoe.

I love her funny face:

Emily Elizabeth,
Each month as I write you this little note, I think that I am just telling you the same thing over and over. And I am. I am telling you that I love you more than I ever imagined, more than seems possible. You are the little love of my life, and I never thought I could love any little person the way that I love you. You are the best thing we have ever done and the biggest blessing of your daddy's and my life. I will love you forever, no matter what.