Anne at 9 months

Anne had her 9-month checkup this morning (rescheduled from last week's thundersnow). She demonstrated for the doctor how she says, "Da-da-dee-dee-da-da." Anne also held it together fairly well -- she gets shots each month because it's her first cold and flu season, so she knows what's coming.

Here are her vitals.

Weight: 15 lbs, 2 oz
Height: 26 inches
Head circumference: 43.3 centimeters

She's gained one pound and 13.5 ounces since her 6-month appointment in October ... but she's two inches taller! Her weight gain has definitely slowed, but neither her doctor nor we are worried about it, since Anne is growing taller and her head is growing, too (2.3 centimeters since October). Grandma Gloria reminds us that Mom weighed 15 pounds till she was 2 years old. So Anne's small size might have nothing to do with her prematurity.

What does Anne do at 9 months of age? Her doctor asked this morning; here's what Mom said:

Sits unsupported
Tries to crawl; she rocks on hands and knees and grunts in frustration
Is starting to try to pull up -- on mom's lap, on her Exersaucer, on the coffee table, on the chair
Turns the page of the book when Mom prompts her -- really! ("Anne, help Mommy turn the page.")
Eats all orange veggies, green beans, oatmeal and lots of veggie/fruit blends
Turns up her nose at most fruit
Wants to hold her food bowls/jars and gets upset if we don't let her
Enjoys teething biscuits
Is trying to figure out what to do with cereal puffs
Likes trying to drink water from real glasses; she practices daily
Is learning to drink water from her sippy cup
Happily lets Mom and Dad squirt saline in her nose and suction it
Opens her mouth to take her twice daily medicine