9 Months

Our girl had her 9 month checkup yesterday. Here are the stats:

Weight: 20 lbs 10 oz - 75th %tile

Height: 29 inches - 90th %tile

At 9 months she:

Stands up by herself and will pull herself up on anything or anyone

Walks along the furniture

Can stand by herself without holding onto anything

Loves to walk holding your fingers - it won't be long now

Says "hi" - her first official word

Talks constantly including ma ma and da da but it doesn't mean anything yet

Loves oatmeal with fruit

Has started eating puffs

Has officially weaned herself from nursing

Has 6 teeth

Has started to develop a unique relationship with different family members

Loves to play with other kids

Knows how to clap her hands - thanks Gma

Loves to walk to the park and swing

Is still one of the happiest babies I have ever met

Love her!!!!

The new do...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

It was definitely time for a change. Plus, I was able to donate the 10 inches they cut off to Wigs for Kids. I don't know about you, but I love it.

Who needs toys?

Who needs toys when you can just play with the box that your new big girl car seat came in? We've left it in the living room for the last few days since she seems to enjoy it more than anything else in the house right now.

Thanksgiving week

Last week was a busy one for our little family. Thursday was Thanksgiving and we had a wonderful time with all of our family. Thanksgiving just might be my favorite holiday. It is a wonderful thing to have one special day dedicated to being grateful for all of the wonderful blessings we have been given - and we have more than our fair share! The food was awesome and the company was even better. Jasmine got to play with her cousin Maddie...

I got an early birthday surprise from Patrick and my cousin Brittany. She made me a beautiful, and might I add, delicious birthday cake.

Then on Friday, our little family headed north to San Francisco for the rest of the weekend. The main reason for the trip was to attend a Norte Dame football game at Stanford. The tickets were my present to Patrick for our anniversary. While we were up there we also go to visit Muir Woods and spent some time down at the pier. We had some amazing clam chowder and fish n' chips and Jasmine rode her first trolley.

This is a family of trees... love it!

Muir Beach... there is a little place right down the road called the Pelican Inn. We will go back to stay someday!

Not such a great picture of me... but Jasmine is sporting what we call the "Elvis face." It is hilarious, she does it all the time, we've been trying to capture it on camera for weeks now.

Jasmine and her daddy at the big game... can you tell how happy he was? Jasmine loved all of the cheering and enjoyed yelling with everyone else.

It was a quick trip, but a lot of fun. Jasmine was such a trooper - she was as happy as a clam in spite of the fact that she was fighting a cold. We bundled her up and she had a blast. It is so nice to have a baby that is such a good little traveler and who loves adventures as much as mom and dad do.

San Diego Wild Animal Park

Over the summer, Patrick and I got a great deal on annual passes to the San Diego Wild Animal Park and the San Diego Zoo, and last week we decided to make our first trip there, now that our knees are working a little better. We loaded up and took Aunt Katie with us.

Jasmine and I both loved the flamingos. Flamingos are one of my earliest childhood memories, although I'm not sure where exactly I saw them.

I think Jasmine's favorite animal of the day was the gorillas. She was grunting and I think would have climed right into their pen with them if we would have let her.

The lorokeets were very friendly, and a little too close for comfort as far as Jasmine was concerned.
Jasmine spent most of the day riding in her new big girl jogging stroller. She looked quite comfy...

...although this is a pretty great way to get around as well.

Cute family picture...

Very tired baby on the way to the car.

We had a great day and can't wait to go back. There was so much that we didn't get to see. Jasmine did very well, especially considering she was in the midst of cutting teeth 3 - 6. It is so neat (and a little surreal) to make special memories like these together.

Why so close?

Not bragging here (believe me, this is Patrick's toy, not mine), but we have a pretty BIG television... WHY oh why does she insist on being so close? Drives me bonkers (notice the couch pillows to try to barricade her from the cable box).


I find myself telling her she is going to go blind if she insists on being that close - sounds so familiar Mom and Dad!

Pure Joy

Last week Patrick and I went to the dentist for cleaning appointments. The ladies there are so nice and sent us home with a toothbrush and balloon for Jasmine. That balloon delighted her for the next 3 days. She wouldn't let go of it on the way home, even after she fell asleep. I love how exciting everything is for them at this age!