Nine Months

So, Mister is officially nine months old yesterday and is the most fun of any baby ever.  He is not quiet.  He is loud and fun and energetic.  He likes what he likes and hates what he hates.  You never have to guess how he feels.

In the nine months I have had the fortune of being Aiden's mommy, I have learned a few things:

- an unopened package of Tic Tacs is the cheapest rattle you will find - and it rattles the best.
- food is so much more fun when it is sticky, gross, and finger food
- stick with the pediatrician who believes that Mother's instinct is more important than lab results or computer data
- when you think a baby is not learning or paying attention, think again.  When Aiden recognizes Mickey Mouse or the zoo entrance, it is very rewarding.
- 20 minutes to color my own hair is 20 minutes of GOLD when Aiden is sleeping.
- guilt will happen if you choose to co-sleep, if you choose not to co-sleep, if you choose to breastfeed, if you choose not to breastfeed.  Once again, Mother's intuition is important.
- buy a case of sunscreen.  Put one in your purse, one in each diaper bag, one in the car, one in the pantry, and one in the scripture case.  You never know when you will take your little one out for bubbles in the sunshine.
- teach them early to tolerate hats.
- Yams are the best thing to share - especially when it has butter and brown sugar.
- time spent with the baby is more important than any other task you have to do.
- take lots of pictures.  Write things down.  You think you will remember, but you don't.