And we're off!

We have a feeling that the 9th month for Mr. Emmett is going to bring us lots of motor milestones! Time to actually baby-proof the house once again.

Let's look at all the exciting skills our little monkey is acquiring. First up, in the fine motor land, feeding oneself.

Who doesn't love their own serving of organic frozen yogurt?

Carrots and Broccoli makes him smile.

Mama, I'm so big I can do my own spoon now!

Oh wait! That's not food! Maybe a didgeridoo?

Crunchy...

Emmett wants little to do with purees and is all about feeding himself these days. Mr. Independent. Like his brother.

Silly boys!

We have still not made it to crawling forwards. Backwards, ending in a fit of rage because he cannot get himself to a desired item (ball, toy, brother, cat), is down. He is also able to go from sitting to quadruped (all fours) and back. We even have a little rocking. But no full-speed crawl. We are sure that it is only a matter of days and be the result of the cat getting too close....

More exciting is the world of pulling up and standing.

And then there's "finger walking."

He's most pleased with himself when he catches his balance and stands unsupported. Yesterday he managed a step. Oh vey, we are in trouble.....

Until then, may Page the Cat keep a watchful eye on our busy little monkey....

Naps.

9 MONTH STATS:
Weight: 23 lbs 10 oz (90th percentile)
Height: 29 1/4 inches (80th percentile)
Head: 47 cm (90th percentile)
As always, a well-growing boy.

Meeting Maggie

We are thrilled to meet Maggie K, the new daughter of Ms. Melanie and Mr. Peter (Elias' godparents). She is so precious and loved....Both of our monkeys are smitten. 

Summer living downtown

Typical Day in FSQ

 Dinners on the patio with our friends....

Bubbles in the car on the way to school

European Soccer at the nearby stadium

The Windy (and Hot and Rainy) City

This past weekend, we took our last of big city tours for the summer. We headed north to Chicago for some family fun and a little Phishing trip for Mama and Daddy.

We first went across the street to Millennium Park to enjoy the public spaces.

It was soooo hot, this was the perfect way to cool off!

Who's that baby in the giant mirror?

Standing on the ceiling...

Making a wish in Lurie Garden

Our fabulous accommodations of the Palmer House

To go Phishing, of course you need to take a boat to Northerly Island....

Little did we know this would be the mother of all storms...

Night One was cancelled two songs into the second set due to the storm. Night Two we got a treat of 3 sets (first time ever outside of a Halloween/New Years/Festival). It did rain however and we did get wet. Didn't stop us from dancing the night away....

 During the days, we escaped the hot weather with some museum trips. First up: The Shedd Aquarium. 

Anaconda looking for lunch

Lizards!

I want those fishes!!!

Playing penguin

 And of course we visited Sue at the Field Museum!

We enjoyed our trip to Chicago and really didn't want to leave. We will definitely return soon as we feel we barely scratched the surface off all it has to offer.

Here toothy, toothy...

Poor Emmett just doesn't get a break around here. First it was a cold, then ear infection #1, then croup, then ear infection #2, and now da da daaaaaa the eruption of a couple of incisors. Although we cannot get him to flash these emerging pearly whites, he has been chomping on everything!

veggie pizza: nom nom

Panera bread and summer salad: nom nom

He has also started clapping and being very proud of his accomplishments,

and pulling up/cruising.

 But not quite crawling forwards yet....

Soooo frustrated!

We will be there oh too soon!

Graham Fourth Position in preparation for crawling

Meanwhile in the barrel, dark Ninjas have been spotted. 

Onto the month of VIII

Happy 8th month Emmett! You are our sweet boy and always so happy for the exception of this past week. Unfortunately on your trip to SF a stowaway virus came back to bring you down....

Still not crawling, but look what Mama walked into this morning once your medicines started making you feel better. Looks like we need to drop the mattress of your crib down!

STATS: Weighing in at ~23 lbs. and wears 18 month clothes. Still no teeth. Loves to bounce and climb up. Loves peek-a-boo. Loves Page the Cat. Elmo is his homeboy, and his favorite song is ABCs.