Height: 27 inches (25%)
Weight: 16 pounds 10 ounces (23%)
Head Circumference: 16.75 inches (17%)

Clothing size: 9-month everything, except dresses which are usually 12 months and up. Everything would fit a lot longer if she didn’t have such a huge diaper. I think it’s about time to bring out the 12-month clothes, because it’s getting difficult to snap up her jammies. I should also have some summery outfits in that size from her sisters, so it’ll be fun to try those on her.

Eye color: The brightest blue! She gets compliments on them all the time.

Hair: It’s really growing in now, and it’s DARK! Many people are surprised by how deep of a brown it is, probably because it seems to be the darkest of all her sisters. It’s still fuzzy in the back, so I’m just waiting for those curls to show up. I’ve already been daydreaming about making tiny pigtails on her!

Teeth: TWO!!! Right down in front. I was so happy when I finally got a picture of those little chompers (and believe me, she uses them to chomp everything… even while nursing… Ow!).

Eating: She had her first food this month! She still spits a lot out, but she seems to really enjoy the experience of tasting and playing with food. We’re doing a mix of purees and baby-led weaning, so she’s tried a lot of things. The things she seems to actually eat and like most include Gerber vanilla custard (which is really pureed apples and bananas), black olives, and Cheezits. She has also tried Cheerios, applesauce, pureed pears, shredded chicken, Spanish rice, grapes, lettuce with Italian dressing, cucumbers, cheddar cheese, plain bread and bread with peanut butter on it, Goldfish crackers, and spaghetti.

She’s still a nursing champion, but she’s been going about 3 hours between feedings now.

Sleep: At the beginning of the month, Eve’s sleep seemed to be getting worse. That didn’t really seem possible, because it was already so sporadic! We were up most of the night, trying to soothe her back to sleep, and eventually, in my sleep-deprived mindset, I’d just give in and nurse her so she’d pass out. We have since tried harder to limit nighttime nursing. I feed her around 8 pm, and she sleeps until about 11-11:30 pm when I dream feed her just before going to bed. If she wakes up between then and 5 am, I try to get Michael to shush her and give her her pacifier. If she knows she doesn’t get mom, I’m hoping that means she’ll go back to sleep. She’s doing a little better, but still waking up at least once, usually around 2 am. She’s definitely always ready to nurse at 5 am.

She’s still sleeping in our room. Yes, we’re probably crazy, but I don’t want her waking up Nella with how much she cries some nights.

She likes to take a catnap on me in the morning, and then she’ll usually take a nap for about 2 hours or so in the afternoon.

Words: Mama! Her main way of communicating is by YELLING! It’s really hilarious. She babbles and imitates us all day long. Also, blowing raspberries is her favorite!

Favorite things: Her Mama, sisters, Daddy, Scout, anything she can put in her mouth, playing the “flying” game with me, her bath, getting her teeth brushed, and pacifiers (although maybe she’s not quite as dependent on them as she used to be). She really loves being with her family and thinks just about anything is fun as long as we’re nearby. Now that the weather is warmer, she has also really loved being out in the fresh air.

Dislikes: Mommy walking out of the room, getting in the car seat, having her face and hands wiped after a meal, and wearing headbands. She also really likes anything that has buttons or a screen (i.e. a remote or phone), and she gets really mad when I take them away.

Nicknames: Evie, Evie Bedeevee, Lovie, Koala Baby (because of the way she holds on to me so tightly).

Milestones, etc.: -She does this little “inchworm” crawl to get where she wants to go. She’s able to get almost anywhere she wants! She tries to follow me around all day, but gets frustrated that she isn’t quite fast enough.-She is trying to pull herself up to a standing position, but she can only do it if the object she’s grabbing onto for support is about half her height. She really loves standing, and I know it won’t be long before she’s mastered this.

-She has just started clapping, and it’s the cutest! At Kangaroo Kids, she’ll clap while dancing (in a seated position), and it’s adorable.

-I’ve tried to help her walk while holding my hands, but she just stands on her toes and won’t move her legs at all. I was thinking she’d be an early walker, but now I’m not too sure.

-She lets other people hold her for a few minutes, as long as she can see me. Inevitably, she always cries and reaches out for me.

Dear Eve,

I feel like you are always so busy these days, and I can’t even believe you’re already old enough to have such strong opinions and ideas. You still love to be with me, snuggle and nurse, but you also really want to explore the entire house (and put everything in your mouth)! I cherish our snuggle time, because I know that soon enough, you won’t want to fall asleep on me anymore, and I’m going to miss that so much.You make the funniest, happiest little faces that bring all of us instant happiness.

I love you, Evie! Keep working on that sleeping-through-the-night thing.

Love, Mommy