AJ is nine months old today! And he’s been home for 8 weeks now.

Dear AJ,
Just in case I forget, as I’m sure the months will blend together… at 9 months old, you were a pro at crawling. But you still prefer to stand up. You cruise across the couch and are just starting to make your way around the excersaucer and play table. You dont fall down as much, you’ve learned to sit on your bottom or put a hand down to catch yourself. You’re eating new foods every couple of days, and would probably eat more if your mom were more adventurous. Your favorites are pears, breakfast cereal with cinnamon and (of course) cheerios. You love when mommy feeds you what she’s eating.
You’re almost 22 pounds, and 29.5 inches. You wear size 12 months. But I wouldnt say you’re chubby. You dont have rolls of fat, your build is very strong and muscular. You have 6 teeth and will probably cut another 2 soon. Your hair is still very thin and straight, but is starting to lay flatter on your head. Just recently, the fold in your right eye has started to come and go, though we’re not sure why.
You’re just beginning to sleep better and we are very thankful. Most days, you wake up cheerful and happy, even if its in the middle of the night. But sometimes you wake up sad, and we arent sure why. Other times you wake up with gas, and that makes you very upset. Right now, you fall asleep in our bed, and then we move you to your crib. You can go the whole night without a bottle, too. I bought you a couple pairs of footsie pajamas and you look super cute in them.
You arent saying any words, but you’re definitely listening to us. You can babble and say “mamama” and “ga!” You just started making a fishy face, but you dont blow raspberries as often. You love when mommy says “duck!” and “what are you doing?!” and “really?!”. They make you laugh. You like when mommy reads books, and you grunt and whine when you want her to read it again. Your favorite book is “Thats Not My Monster.” I think I read it at least 5 times a day.
You arent too interested in TV, but you love to watch Baby Bach. You watch it almost every day. You really like to hear the music and will notice the songs when the play elsewhere. You bop your head to classical music, but dont really notice any other music. Maybe your foster mother played classic music for you. When mommy and daddy watch TV, you like to see “The Spelling Bee” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” But they dont keep your attention very long.
When we’re out and about, you’re very quiet and observant. You just like to take everything in, the place, the people. But you’re also quick to smile. Almost anyone can get a smile out of you.
You make me happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I love you very much. - Mom