Clayton's News:
*He is EVERYWHERE! Clayton eliminated the army crawl completely this month and does the traditional crawl.
*Clayton pulls up on everything even if it's super low to the ground or unstable. He gracefully falls to his bottom when he's done standing.
*He cruises around furniture and goes from one piece of furntiture/toy/someone's leg to the next. Clay also walks with his walking toy.
*Clayton lets go of what he's holding onto and stands and rocks back and forth on his feet for about 10 seconds before he falls on his bottom.
*He is a super chatterbox--stringing lots of sounds together, making his very own "Clayton" language. Clay did start saying "na na na" and "ma ma ma" this past month too.
*Clayton claps all of the time and throws his hands up in the air when he's excited. He especially does when he sees Mickey Mouse on Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse.
*He still eats great and really loves Cheerios. Clay can feed himself and often puts a handful of Cheerios or puffs in at a time.
*Clayton drinks juice out of a sippy cup perfectly, so I don't think the transition to a sippy with milk will be too difficult.
*He throws tantrums like the full blown arching the back kind. It's lots of fun, especially when he needs to get his diaper changed. Yikes!
*Clayton puts his hands up in the air and makes a "ya ya ya" sound when told "no." We think he's imitating us! He does seem to somewhat understand the word "no" now as he always pauses and looks at you with a serious look on his face. Typically, though, he does whatever he's not supposed to do, so he gets his hand spanked.
*Clayton found the toilets this month, so he had his hands washed with soap and water for the first time. We have to train ourselves now to put the lid down...I'm sure toilet seat locks are in our near future.
*He rolls a ball back and forth to you and is working on identifying a ball, waving, learning the sign for "more" and giving kisses (which he does pretty well!).
*Clayton is an absolute joy and totally keeps us on our toes. I love that he reaches for me now and climbs up my leg when he wants to be picked up...it melts my heart. He's just like his daddy because his feet and legs don't stop moving ever. Clay has the heartiest laugh, especially when Daddy plays rough with him.
Chloe's News:
*Chloe now gracefully falls from a sitting position to her belly and will stay there for a while as long as she doesn't see you.
*She rocks back and forth on her knees, finally! Her pediatrician said that if she wasn't progressing toward crawling by 10 months, she wanted her gross motor skills evaluated. Chloe clearly wants nothing to do with that!
*Chloe scoots backwards, often getting her little legs stuck under a couch or wedged between a toy. She's scooting, though, so we are thrilled!
*She started clapping the night before her 10 month birthday and hasn't stopped since she discovered how to clap!
*Chloe is such a happy screamer. She is the entertainment at church, restaurants, and basically anywhere people want peace and quiet. Chloe thinks she's hysterical!
*She started saying lots of sounds this past month, including "wa wa wa," "ya ya ya," "da da da," and even a "ma" every now and then. Chloe also has this frustrated and annoyed sound she does. It's not a cry, but we know a cry is soon to come if her little needs are not met!
*Chloe is still a thumb sucker, but has found her other fingers too. Her thumb goes in her mouth when she's tired, but her fingers are in her mouth just because.
*She loves to be kissed and starts giggling like crazy when you kiss her multiple times in a row.
*Chloe can roll a ball back and forth to you, she is working on identifying what a ball is, she is learning to wave, give kisses, and sign for "more."
*She can hold her own bottle now, but still prefers to have us feed her. Chloe is the queen too of sucking her thumb while eating.
*Chloe jumps up and down in your arms when she gets excited about something. It's so precious.
*She now has quite the opinion about the bows and flowers Mommy puts in her hair, it's driving Mommy crazy!
*Chloe is our perfect little princess. Her smile lights up our world. I'm so proud of all of her accomplishments this month as she was about 8 weeks behind developmentally at birth. The doctors never documented this since technically she was born at full term since full term is anything past 37 weeks; however, at 32 weeks she was measuring at 29 weeks. The doctors weren't concerned, though because her rate of growth had been consistent even though she was behind.
Here's a look at Clayton and Chloe's world in pictures during their 9th month of life...
We went to "party" with Uncle Roo, Aunt Debbie, Kevin, and Brynne in Rancho Santa Fe for Superbowl Sunday. We all had such a good time!
We spent a lazy Saturday at the park. Clayton, Chloe, and Roxi too had so much fun!
So happy to support an organization that does so much good for people in our "Don't Worry Be Happy Shirts." Ironically, this day was our last visit to see Great Papa.
Clayton prefers to be on the outside of his jumper now!
The smile that melts Mommy's heart.
Clayton and Chloe LOVE bath time! It doesn't matter how tired they are, the babies absolutely love splish splashin' in the tub. We have to let the water run dry before they will get out of the bathtub.
Sassy P...enough said!
Random pictures of our fun...
We surprised my mom and took her to Las Brisas in Laguna Beach for Sunday brunch on her birthday. It was a beautiful day.
It's only a matter of time before our Little Man climbs over the baby gate at the top of the stairs.
The day after my Papa's funeral we decided to do something fun together, so we took Clayton and Chloe to the Santa Ana Zoo. It was magical seeing the babies catch the movement of the monkeys and then keep their little eyes so focused on them. The zoo is small, but perfect for little ones. It even has a little train that takes you through the park.
Papa Jim and Nonnie gave Clayton and Chloe swings for the backyard and we all LOVE them!
Chloe's first fat lip...poor baby fell while kneeling at her music table.
Shoppin' til we drop...Clayton and Chloe love facing each other in their stroller.
Clayton's new response when he hears the word, "no." Must be the Italian in him!
These pictures with Great Papa are actually from January, but are the last pictures of us with him. I love how in the one picture he has his hands on Clayton's head and in the other he is fixated on Chloe. So special.
