9 months

This past Wednesday Helaina turned 9 months old. People often tell new parents that there are many changes that happen in the first year of a baby's life. We couldn't agree more. Each day brings something new and especially this past month, we've seen Helaina grow and develop right before our eyes.
She is still quite the crawler, exploring each nook n' crannie of our house, but now she enjoys "playing" with Randy and myself. We're her special playmates. We chase her around the house and up the stairs. She laughs hysterically when she generously feeds us her cheerios instead of putting them in her own mouth. And Helaina couldn't be happier when she gets to eat "real" food off mom and dad's plate. (And boy did she ever enjoy her first Thanksgiving dinner!) She's pulling herself up onto everything! Occasionally she'll stand by herself or walk slowly holding onto the table or couch.

She's waving bye-bye. She understands the world "NO," and usually obeys it. She understands when we sign to her "bottle" and crawls right up into our lap for the next feeding. And she finally has given up the 30 minute cat nap in the early evening.

We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with Helaina and our families!