9 months old!

Yes, we're still just as far behind as ever. At least I have good intentions.

C'mon, Mom - enough with the excuses already. Get the blog caught up. Everyone just wants to see more pictures of me! I mean just look at me, wouldn't you want more of this adorableness?

And this month shall henceforth be known as the month of many pumpkins.

We had not one, not two, but three trips to pumpkin patches. Mostly just to keep your big sister's sanity intact. We went to pick out our own pumpkins first, then we had a visit with friends to play on the slides, climb hay bales, drink cider, and take more pictures of you looking as cute as can be next to the giant orange pumpkins. Lastly we went with Claire's school on an extremely cold and bitter day. There were lots of things to do, but it was so dang cold we wound up leaving early. But Claire got a free pumpkin! And that's all that really matters.


In between all of our pumpkin patch visits we managed to fit in a few other things. Like Aunt Renita's surprise birthday party at the lake. Or as Claire would say, "LAAAAAAAAAAAKE!" You got a chance to visit with aunts, uncles, and cousins galore. The weather was a little colder than expected, but everyone had a great time. Lili and Claire spent a lot of time playing, following each other around, and just generally having fun. She thought you were pretty cool, too. Especially now that you can sit up on your own. Much more exciting than at camp when you kept toppling over.

Look, we even managed to get a picture where Nonni was looking at the camera, and not at the adorable grandkids in her lap. And everyone is smiling, too!

We also went to another football game. Hokie football is always a good time, and despite having a rather horrific cold, you were a real trooper. Look, you couldn't even take your eyes off the game to look at the camera - it was just that much fun


You are learning so much, so quickly now. You will eat almost anything that you are given (though the baby food with spinach in it is not a big hit). You love to roll all over the floor to get to what you want. I'm not sure that you will crawl since you have become quite adept at scooching and rolling to move everywhere that you really want to go.

One of my favorite things right now happens when I am nursing you. If I look down at you while you are eating, you are almost always looking at my face. You will give me the biggest smile, and raise your eyebrows. It never fails to bring a matching smile to my face. I think that this is your very own silent version of the Joey Tribbiani, "How you doin'?" - watch out ladies! The charm is irresistible.

In the last nine months you have brought us so many moments of indescribable joy. You are the perfect addition to our family. We love you so very much, Ben!


love,
Mommy