Nine Months and Growing Strong

My Handsome Little Man



My monkey man is officially 9 months!  I told my friend Ro how sad I was because this is his last month in single digits - ha.  I feel as if he's learning to do things in just a matter of days.  His new thing is pulling himself up onto the objects that we've creatively placed in our "baby jail" (it's a big circle in our living room that ensures he can't escape into trouble) and walk from object to object.  He will pull himself up on to anything that he possibly can reach - the tables, fridge, back door - you name it, I'm sure he's gotten up there somehow. I love how Cohen thinks he is big stuff when he does it too.  He also loves to push his little cart around and laugh while he does it.  We have started this game where I'll look at Cohen and say "Mama" and he'll scream real loud right back at me "Dadadada" and thinks it is hilarious.  The only time he says mama is when he's really upset, which is kinda sweet. :)  Cohen's new favorite foods are watermelon and cheese.  Cohen has 7 teeth and is working on that 8th little guy.  He weighs 22.5 lbs and is 29.5 inches long! I am enjoying the last month of summer with him and I'm super sad that it is going by so quickly.  But I have been so lucky to watch him grow up so much in the last 2 months!  Before I know it, I'll be sending out his first birthday invitations! Is it bad that I've already started planning his Sports themed birthday??

Let me out of here!!!

Helping dad baby proof this stuff

I don't think Brady is a big fan of this baby cage...

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No No No!

I feel I am constantly telling Cohen - "No no" and shaking my head telling him to stop.  He loves to try to climb the entertainment stand, try to play with the cords for the lamp, put the dog toys in his mouth - just basically be a typical busy little boy!   Cohen's nickname is Brutus because he gets into everything and destroys it.  However, I think Cohen understands what "no"means.  Just watch this video and you can decide if you agree...

I am constantly watching him and telling him no and redirecting him to do something else.  It's funny because when they are little, you get so excited as they become more mobile.  But now that he's more mobile and getting into everything, you think to yourself, "I just wish you'd sit still for one minute!" 

Getting into the movies

Trying to get a closer look at the TV

But lamps are so cool mom!

Cohen is such a busy boy - but we are having such a fun time this summer!  And I have a feeling his next word is going to be no...



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Tick Toc....Ew!!!

  My first encounter with a tick came about two years go.  I was getting ready to go run with Brady on a beautiful spring day.  As I pulled back my hair, I noticed something at the edge of my scalp.  Creeped out, I grabbed it and pulled it out, realizing that it was sort of attached to my head.  After calling my mom, husband, the vet, the doctor and the local nature center, it was confirmed:  Yes.  It is a tick.  No.  You most likely do not have Lyme disease.  So for the next several days I spent searching every inch of my body to ensure no more of these nasty little things had invaded my personal space again. 
  Last year, summer came and went and no traumatic experiences with these disgusting bugs.  However, this summer is a totally different story.  Apparently they are at their worst - the worst in several years.  My first sighting was on a pillow that had been used as a table barrier for Cohen in case he fell.  Seriously, get away from my baby.  But oh no, that is not it.  The second sighting was a few weeks ago.  As I was sitting on the couch, I felt something trying to latch to my toe -- another flipping tick.  But don't worry, that is not all.  The THIRD incident happened to my poor dog.  Cohen, Brady and I love to look out the window in the morning and of course Cohen is all over him, pulling his tail and paws.  But I noticed a brown bump on his leg - and of course, a tick.  (Kurtis and I are now pro at getting ticks off dogs FYI.)  Luckily, the fourth tick was dead.  BUT, the FIFTH and I say FIFTH tick decided to try to become friends last night.  Out of nowhere, I woke up just to turn down the baby monitor.  And I felt this tickling behind my ear.  I thought the fan was blowing my hair and tickling me, when I realized my hair was in a ponytail.  The tick was crawling behind my ear!!!!  I basically spent all night itching and dreaming about these nasty things.  Seriously, if I see one more I'm going to lose it.  Hopefully the fifth one's the charm....

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Do the Dancey Dance!

Since Cohen was days old, he has loved music.  I'll sing to him in the car when he's crying and he stops.  We also sing as we're getting ready for bed to distract him from realizing that he needs to calm down for the night.  But lately, this kid has started moving it to the music!  The more Cohen plays and stands up on his own, the more I catch him shakin' it to music too.  I just got him this little musical table that he has started to pull himself up to (also pull it on top of himself) but when it plays music, I'll catch him shaking his little booty and it cracks me up!  Here is a little clip of him dancing -- it is so hard to catch the stinker in the act.  I think he fully understands what a camera does now. 
           (Disclaimer:  I shot the video sideways not thinking about it -- oops.  Sorry!!)



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