9 Months

Well Ezra has sailed into this 9th month like a wild baby beast, unleashing his energetic infant fury on anyone who dares cross his path. Does that sound harsh? It's not meant to. It's just that he is CRAZY. Does that sound bad? It's not meant to either! It's just that he is so full of energy and curiosity and mischievousness (and downright friendliness to everyone he meets) that Josh and I can only lean over to each other and politely tap the bottom of the others chin to close these ever dropped jaws we seem to carry around. I don't think we ever imagined baring witness to this kind of " baby activity" (to put it mildly) by our 9 month old! Amidst all that fun, he continues to be of the all around best nature.

What's somewhat difficult for Josh and I to handle, is that every mischievous thing that Ezra does, he does with a giant smile! He wants to play! For example, this morning he began chewing a big chunk of packing Styrofoam. I naturally gave him the this-is-not-a-good-idea look, and then told him that "we don't eat Styrofoam," to which he smiles the widest smile you can imagine. As I approach him to take it away, he begins chewing furiously, and giggling all the while! By the time I get to him (a mere 6 feet away) he has a mouth full of Styrofoam and he is laughing like this is the funniest thing he's ever done! All day long folks. This is our day. Not to mention the climbing up onto everything while lacking the full ability to get himself down (though he can get down from most chairs and the couch).

He's talking A LOT these days, too. Most of the time it is a continual babble, with lots of "oooohhhh" and "mmmmm-BAA!" (crescendo on the "ba"). There's "mama," "dada," and a high pitch squeal for his response to "what does the kitty say?" Very endearing. All of it! We can't get enough of our little boy. And it's so very fun to share this with all of you. I made a little video montage from last month. You'll enjoy suitcase hopping, his first swing experience, the "no knees crawl" (or the "downward dog walk" as I like to call it) and object permanence box mastering among others. Enjoy!

Yes, those are onions up his nose.

If he's up high on something like a chair, or counter-top, or anywhere else deemed unsafe, he's a happy boy.

First canoe (outside of the womb).

Rock picking on Lake Superior. One of his favorite hobbies.

See that sad face and the sock hand? Ezra's first bleeding-profusely experience. A little cut on the finger tip. There would be no band-aid staying on, so we had to tape a sock onto his hand. It got the job done and didn't slow him down a minute. Maybe expect for...

Meal time.

This is a stick, my son. A necessary tool for all boys. Very versatile.

And cousin Josie and Kristen and Tom got to come over and hang out. Ezra's favorite thing!

Ezra Monroe Stars in The Adventures in Mobility Movie (not to be missed!)