Joe's Nine Month Shots

THESE MONTHLY PICTURES ARE AWFULLY CUTE, BUT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CAPTURE. OUR LITTLE MAN'S PATIENCE FOR THE HAT IS ON THE DECLINE. BUT, I WILL CONTINUE TO SNAP AWAY, NON THE LESS.

AT NINE MONTHS JOEY:

~ PULLS HIMSELF UP

~ PICKS UP DICED FRUITS, TOAST, CRACKERS, CHEERIOS AND WHATEVER ELSE HE CAN GET HIS HANDS ON TO EAT

~ (FINALLY) HELD HIS BOTTLE TO FEED HIMSELF (I THINK HE LIKES TO KEEP ME INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS. IT IS GUARANTEED ALONE TIME WITH MOMMY. AND, THAT IS HARD TO COME BY.)

~ PRODUCES A VARIETY OF CONSONANT SOUNDS INCLUDING "DA DA" "BA BA" "PA PA". HE ALSO PRODUCES A MANY SOUNDS WITH HIS LIPS.

~ HAS ONE TOOTH WITH TWO MORE ON THE WAY

~ TRANSITIONED FROM ARMY CRAWLING TO TRADITIONAL CRAWLING (AT WARP SPEED)

~ TAKES TWO NAPS A DAY AND SLEEPS FROM 7 PM UNTIL 6:30 AM

~ ENJOYS THE VIEW FROM HIS "BIG BOY" CAR SEAT

~ MAKES THE SWEETEST SHY FACES AND BATS HIS BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES

~ HATES HAVING HIS FACE AND HANDS CLEANED AFTER EATING (REALLY THE ONLY TIME HIS SPUNKY SIDE KICKS IN)

~ ATTEMPTS TO CRAWL UP THE STEPS

~ LOVES LISTENING TO MUSIC AND LIGHTS UP WHEN HE HEARS HIS DAD'S INCOMING CALL RINGER - KINGS OF LEON'S "NOTION"

~ PLAYS "SO BIG"

~ HAS STARTED TO WAVE AND POINT

"WHY THE HAT, MOM?"
"AH, THIS DARN THING AGAIN."

"LOOK LADY, AREN'T I CUTE ENOUGH FOR PICTURES WITHOUT THIS HAT ON?"

FEELING RELIEVED AND QUITE JOYFUL WITHOUT THE HAT.

"I'LL CONTINUE TO FLASH YOU CUTE SMILES IF YOU HIDE THAT HAT."

OUR BIG NINE MONTH OLD BOY!

MAYBE IF I (BECKY) COMPOSED MY EMAILS IN THIS FASHION, I WOULD HAVE KILLER ARM MUSCLES. MUST TAKE NOTE.

ONE HAPPY, LITTLE DUDE.

WHAT A CUTE BUM.