our valentine's

Dustin took the day off (he's on call all weekend and we wanted to celebrate properly)... 

but then he ended up getting sick anyway (and had to call in sick today). 

He's been sick on a weekly basis lately. (A hazard of his profession, unfortunately.) 

At least we fit in a few festivities before he really felt terrible and we surrendered to sleep at a romantic 9pm. 

brunch date at longman and eagle (Bryn watched Clara so it was a REAL date, even at eleven in the morning) 

and cupcakes at Sweet Mandy B's
Dustin gifted me this print for my kitchen (Julia says it well)

exploring Gene's sausage shop...

we were all in meat heaven here

(and took some home to make gourmet Chicago-style sausage dogs for dinner)

and had a grand time together

because there's a lot of love around here!

snow globe

I was starting to think I'd get off easy and not have have to experience a true "Chicago winter"
but alas, our white winter has arrived

I suppose it's not so bad
but check back with me in a month or two.

9 months

not crawling, or even really trying (will she ever crawl?)

sometimes kicks her feet and scoots forward on her bottom (only a foot or two so far)

and for the first time last night, pushed herself backwards on her belly around the living room floor (movement- finally)

favorite toys: dominoes, stacking cups, rubber blocks, books

3rd tooth about to pop through on the bottom

eats 3 meals a day, nurses 4-5 times a day 

new foods: mini burgers (turkey and beef), roasted veggie pesto pizza, tilapia and salmon, hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, gouda, muenster, strawberries and raspberries, whole wheat pita, tortillas, and waffles, spinach and roasted tomatoes 

goes to bed around 7pm, wakes up between 5 and 7:30 am most nights

no more swaddle!! (I "weaned" her from her woombie the week before her 9 month check-up... I was a bit worried I was going to get yelled at if she still slept swaddled)

tries to wave and clap

talks and sings and giggles and dances and screams (but no official first word yet)

beginning of separation anxiety (or maybe because she's been sick)- she gets upset being left alone now

started to teach her a few basic signs (milk, drink, eat, more, done, please and thank you) but she mostly just gives us us a funny stare

Stats:

Height 28 inches (65%)
Weight 18 lbs. 9 oz. (58%)
Head Circumference 17.7 in (81%)