Dear Sage at 9 months
I have decided that there is nothing better than a 9 month old. You are a wisp of a thing but somehow still have chubby little legs, and rolls on your arms and tummy that only babies can make look perfectly delicious. You started as a baby that was tough to get a laugh out of but boy has that changed! Now we know how to really get you going. Tossing you in the air and spinning you around gets the fastest laugh but you enjoy splashing in water, playing peek-a-boo, being tickled and having someone hold on to your leg when you are trying to craw away. You have three really sweet laughs. The typical belly laugh, a polite soft laugh, and this other laugh you do only when entertaining yourself where you suck in air for a vocalized inhale. It is the funniest for sure!
I think our favorite place to spend time together is in bed. The time before bed and when we wake up is a time I wouldn’t trade for the world. In the course of a month we probably spend hours together snuggling and giggling. My face against yours, you squeezing my arms, squealing with delight, throwing your head back in joy, and burying your face in the covers when you are really being silly. Daddy and I have talked about it and neither of us is ready to stop sharing a bed with you. I love the rhythm and ease of nursing you in the middle of the night and we both love how you rotate from your Daddy’s arms to mine and find comfort in knowing that which ever way you turn someone is right there to hold and love you.
Your vocabulary is developing quickly. You say Dada accurately now and you say AH-Da for almost everything else. When you flap your arms up and down that means “yes.” This month was the first time you said “Mama.” You were asleep in the car seat in the parking lot of Lowes and when you woke up disoriented the words slipped out of your mouth and my heart skipped a beat.
Now that you are eating more and more table foods you have inspired me to cook. More time in the kitchen is worth it if it means nourishing you and increasing your exposure to wholesome, fresh, food. I hope you can appreciate the flavors of good health and learn to love them like I have. I am committed to providing you with the best I can and I am having fun doing it. So far you haven’t eaten much dairy, white four, or meat. We are slowly introducing organic meats (according to your pediatrician organic is the only choice!) and like most everything else, you love it! I haven’t really followed any of the “allergen advisories” so with the exception of the aforementioned foods, you have been eating pretty much everything since the beginning. I need to mention that your love of raw ginger was not a 6 month-old fluke. You still like it. Then we tried wasabi and that was a mistake. You screamed and turned bright red. We were at dinner with Brian and Dave so while we did all feel sorry for you; your reaction provided a good laugh. Tonight you couldn’t get enough of a salad dressing I made with vinegar, garlic, mustard and olive oil so was the wasabi really that big of a risk? To me, your love of big flavors is exciting and I am curious to see how long it will last!
Your social side is really blossoming as well. You wave at everyone. And I mean everyone. At the grocery store you wave at the person behind the meat counter, in the parking lot you wave at whoever is walking past us, you wave at dogs, cats, trees, and sometimes, inanimate objects. You approach the world with such positivity! It’s so nice seeing everyone’s faces brighten when they catch you waving at them. For a second you lift them from the thoughts of their day and a huge smile opens across their face. You are spreading happiness wherever you go!
We have had you for nine months and we still look at you with complete astonishment. You are without a fraction of a doubt the most wonderful thing we have ever and will ever create together. Every evening you fall asleep in our arms, every time I sweep you out of your bath with Daddy, every time I kiss your adorable little feet, nuzzle my face into your warm neck or comfort you when you cry is a reminder of how blessed we are. Without even knowing it, you make us stop and cherish this special life we live. That is a gift no amount of diaper changing or waking up in the middle of the night will ever repay.
We love you sugar bug.
Playing the piano with Grandpa
Hanging out with Nana on New Years Day
On a walk in Talega
You favorite baby carrier. Daddy’s shoulders!
Helping Daddy fix a computer
your first bike ride
Pool Time!
you LOVE the water
The beginning of you getting into everything. The next series of pictures really captures this!
babysedivec.com 
BEAUTIFUL as usual. XXOO, J
Sage is such a doll and so lucky to have you and Peter as parents. Hugs to all, H