Patrick By Numbers: 9

Patrick is becoming a big boy... or well... a big baby.  Seriously - this kid is large and in charge.  Well, he could always be chubbier (and that would make me oh so happy - LOVE chubby baby thighs) but he really is quite perfect just the way he is.  But he's growing much too fast.  9 months old already!?!  Say it isn't so!!

*Weighs 20 lbs 2 oz - 28 inches tall - Sitting happy at 50th percentile for both

*Is a regular speed demon when he sets his ind to it.  One knee on the floor, one foot on the floor and he is off.

*Can cruise around tables and move between furniture if his arms can reach.

*Is already starting to try and climb.  His first success - William's chair.  William didn't like it.

*Loves fruit.  Any and all fruit.

*Does not like turkey from  Gerber.  I can't really blame him.  I barely like real turkey.  I'm a big fan of ham myself.

*LOVES the beach.  He had no problem playing in the sand or the water at Robin Lake at Callaway.  He might be the only beach bum in our family.

*Bedtime is usually right after 7pm.  Sometimes he gets all crazy and stays up late refusing to go down, but not too often.

*Still nurses all night long.  And only commits to going to sleep for real if he's sleeping with me.  In his crib, sleep only lasts maybe an hour at best usually.  Though, he only sleeps for two hours at a time with me - so it's not a huge improvement.

*Is officially experience separation anxiety.  He has a death grip on me in the mornings at school and he cries when he sees me in another room of the house.  While I don't appreciate the crying, I do appreciate that maybe he will love me more than Daddy.  William certainly didn't the get the "Momma Boy" memo.

*Loves to hold hands and walk.  It's kinda difficult sometimes to get him to bend at the hip and sit down he loves it so much.  He's strong too!!

*Is ticklish all over.  We love to make him smile and giggle, so he gets tickled a lot.

*Loves to play "I'm going to get you" - probably because he gets tickled at the end.

*Has conversations with William.  I'm sure that they know exactly what they are talking about.  Sam and I have no clue, but it involves lots of "da ba ga" sounds.

*Sam thinks he has said "DaDa" to him.  I'm not so sure.  I think what he actually heard was Patrick saying "da   da" while Sam was in the vicinity.  Not quite the same... ha!

*Loves Puffs and he is very happy that he can now efficiently get them from table to hand to mouth now.

*He has such a personality and loves to entertain.  His funniest trick right now is shaking his head side to side and then grinning really wide.  It doesn't sound like much but it is so cute and funny.

*His eyes light up when he smiles.  No - his whole face lights up when he smiles.

Loves.

To my Daddy

Today is your birthday.  And I probably should have told you all of these things before, and I probably ought to tell you all these things to your face, but we aren't sappy kind of people...  We like to laugh together, and play, and talk about random things.  I have always liked when you teach me something.  You've been doing that my whole life.  You taught me how to swim, how to ride a bike, how to hammer a nail, how to be a goalie, how to make biscuits & waffles and the list goes on.  You taught me how to be a good parent. You were patient and I can't remember you raising your voice ever, even during those "awesome" years I put you through.  You taught me how to discipline without force and to love without bounds.  You taught me how to create stability in my home.  You always told me I was smart and could do anything I wanted.  I know that I can always count on you.  Even when it's difficult to ask.  I will always think of you when Indiana Jones is on, when I see a little girl with french braids, and hear the song "Hit the Road Jack".   I want to take my boys on adventures like we went on - rafting the river, camping in the woods, 10 hour car rides to an island in Florida, sleepovers in the treehouse, bike rides in the azaleas.  You are a good daddy.  My favorite.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday - you deserve it and more.  I love you.  THHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSS Much.

Love - Meg