Looks like we're just under the wire for getting this written during Maddox's ninth month. He's been a pretty happy camper this month, exploring like mad and keeping us all on our toes. The ninth month check-up went fine, though his recent increase in mobility seems to have slimmed him down from the 98th to the 95th percentile.
He has been enjoying the learning tower quite a bit and seems to have caught on to the magic that is being able to see what happens on the counter top.
We've been signing with him a little, but he does most of his communicating with grunting, screaming, reaching, and pointed looks. He says "ma ma ma ma" pretty often, but I can't really tell if it's an attempt at mama or just sound he likes.
Both boys have been enjoying the recently returned piano. Blues's approach is somewhat more subdued than Ellis, who pounds out a 10 second overture before a rousing acapella chorus of Old MacDonald.
He's a speedy crawling machine and doing well cruising along the couch or bed. We've seen a few experiments with balancing for example trying to move between a foot stool and the couch. But he tends to fling himself toward his target once he knows he's in range, so walking may still be a while off.
One rather interesting technique he's developed for disembarking from the couch is to slide off until his head is touching the floor, put both hands down and the wait a moment before flinging his head and torso up and out and trying not to smash his face on the carpet. I suppose it is more of a dismount. It is hilarious to watch but difficult to capture on film. He's also working on mastering the stairs and has gone from barely experimenting to being able to make it all the way up, and in less than 30 seconds at that, in a matter of days.
He loves having the slop sink to himself and laughs and laughs when getting a bath without big brother, who is ever so jealous. Blues also continues to be the snuggliest baby I have ever met, even settling for a snuggle from Dad when nothing else is available.
He is also eating everything in sight and screaming for a taste of whatever anyone nearby has. He seems to really prefer carbs and dairy at this point and still loves feeding the dog. More than what he likes, the interesting thing is his intense reaction when not offered anything when we are all eating. Something like a screaming rage. Apparently we forget to water him as he also gets quite enraged when he wants a drink. All in all though he is still a fairly happy little man.
