Stratton turns 9 months...

On one hand, I see the light at the end of the tunnel...within 3 months I should be done washing and preparing bottles FOR GOOD! AND, fingers crossed, that we'll have only one in diapers by that time also. On the other hand, where does the time go? Most of Stratton's life so far has been filled with his siblings activities, but he has still managed to create his own identity, adding to the family dynamic in a way that only he could. He is: intense, curious, impatient, demanding, and most of all, quirky. He's thrives on attention, but don't even think about making sudden loud noises, or stroking those locks of curls, least you be faced with bloodcurdling screams in return. He believes sleep is for wussies; he thinks he has full right to be on mom's hip 24/7; he seems to have a bottomless pit for a stomach. He has a million facial expressions that cause him to wear his heart on his sleeve (or rather on his eyebrows and positioning of his lips). He loves toys that move, light up, and make noise, but enjoys teetering with big brothers hot wheels as well. He is nothing like his brother or sister, and I am curious to see how his personality develops over the next couple of months.

At 9 months he:

-Sleeps through the night (finally)

-Is getting ready to crawl (finally) he's pushing himself backwards which only causes frustration and head butts (not good when you've got wood floors)

-Dislikes very much when toys get jacked from him (something that happens very often. you might as well call his brother Beck "the grass is always greener on the other side, now give me that toy now" Alcorn

-Has received 4 haircuts and hasn't come to like the last anymore than the first, rather, quite the opposite

-Makes noise ''talking'' all day long

-Has a mouth full of 8 teeth that make him look a bit like a monster, (uncertain whether its a nice or scary one.)

-Loves playing patty-cake and singing itsy bitsy spider

-Enjoys taking his socks off constantly

-Gets so excited when his brother or sister walks into the room that his whole body exudes love as he kicks and thrashes with anticipation.

Love you my littlest BIG man...