Avery is 9 months!

Wow. Is she really 9 months now? Guys, I have officially been a Mom longer than I was pregnant! How does it feel to be a Mom? Hmm. I've been asked this question many a times, but I still don't have a good answer for it. Feels like everything is the same, yet nothing is ever the same. Least favorite thing: Waking up at 7am. (ok, its not that bad.) Most favorite thing: Seeing her smile. It never gets old!

I've been thinking about weaning her off breastmilk, but with this whole swine flu business, I've decided to tough it out and keep going. I am dreading the day she catches her first cold or flu, so the easiest way is to just keep feeding her breastmilk, atleast right now. Ok Ok, you're right, I'm just being a psycho attached mom. I can't help it!

Every time I go into a Gymboree store, I forget what item of clothing I was going in for, and instead, I get totally distracted by fun little accessories and dresses and hats that they have. Basically things that don't get much use, but look super cute on her. One thing is for sure though, never go in to a Gymboree store without a coupon.Its summer time! Stripey Sunglasses, check! Watermelon bib, check! polkadot two piece, check! Fabulous hand wave, check!Doing some grocery shopping with the parents. Daddy needs to cough up some cash and get me one of those shopping cart seat covers. Don't forget Gerbers Graduate Puffs you guys! I love that stuff!

At 9 months, Avery is doing the following:
-sleeps 10-12 hours a night. Wakes up around 7:30am
-Morning nap at 9:30am - 11am
-Afternoon nap at 2:30pm - 4pm
-Bedtime 8-8:30pm
-crawls backwards (and then gets frustrated) Pulls up on people, then jumps on their lap
-can pick up a puff with thumb and index finger and then drop it in her mouth
-8oz Milk for breakfast, Solids and baby yogurt for lunch, 8oz Milk for Dinner and 10oz Milk for Bedtime
-smiles at anyone and everyone. No stranger anxiety yet, but got a little scared by friendly 9-year-old.
-two bottom teeth
-Loves the outdoors
-repeats baba when you say it, and when you say words that begin with "b". Says mama randomly. Also does random "A-ma's (grandma)".
-enjoys watching tv while sitting in her exersaucer and eating cereal puffs.
-starting to get bored with her toys and exersaucer. likes to roll around and grab objects that are not hers.

I have been told that its time to start planning her 1st Birthday Party. What if I'd rather be in denial and insist she stays a baby forever?