Raffi’s 9 month update
I waited to write this post until we came back from Armenia because I knew everything would change. Here are 9 facts about 9 months old, shared on his 10 month birthday. Whoops!
1. Raffi suddenly wants to understand how things work. On our lonnnnng plane rides to and from Armenia (including layovers and such it was almost 20 hours of travel each way) foil wrapped toys saved the day. Raffi wanted to examine them and understand why the foil was so shiny and crinkly. When we are home and he sees me putting a toy in a bin, he wants to do it too. He’s interested in doing actions that have consequences, which I guess is right in line with his age.
2. He started signing for more! I’ve been signing more to him for a few weeks since he started screaming when his tray was empty. A few days ago he suddenly did it, and now he does it all the time. I really love that the lines of communication are finally two ways and I can somewhat understand something about him. Here is a video of him doing it. The video is terrible because I can’t manage to figure out how to tape him while using two hands to sign AND not let him be distracted by the iPhone. It wasn’t easy.
3. While Raffi is signing, he isn’t saying any real words. When we cough he fake coughs, and when we go FFFF FFFF FFF he will do that too, but he doesn’t repeat BABA (dada to us) or MAMMA very often. He has, however, started mixing consonants and babbling with a purpose. He fights with his food sometimes and he definitely talks to his stuffed animals. It is really cute and fascinating to watch him use his own language to talk. I speak to him in an adult voice 90% of the time because Mandy told me to.
4. He has more teeth! He started getting teeth late, but he’s up to 3.5 teeth already! His fourth one (2nd top tooth) is on its way out but hasn’t gotten there quite yet. He’s a little bit crankier with these top teeth, and I don’t believe pediatricians when they say that teething shouldn’t cause change in behavior.
5. We sadly found out that Raffi is allergic to peanuts. We don’t know how severe it is and likely won’t know for another year (when we test next), but for now he and I both need to avoid all peanut products. On a selfish note, I have been perpetually hungry since I tossed away our peanut butter. I’ve relied on that filling sweet breakfast for over 7 years.
6. The beach has become Raffi’s new favorite place. He loves eating sand, digging his toes in it, and sitting at the edge of the water in the waves. We have been bringing a small baby pool and set it up by our chairs with a little bit of water. He will play in that forever and I think it’s a brilliant idea. We have a small Pop Up pool with a shade that I got from BJ’s for $20. It folds up into a tiny carrying case so you don’t have to worry about inflating and deflating something every time you want to go to the beach. I highly recommend it.
7. There are lots of high chair accomplishments this month. Raffi now eats 3 meals PLUS a snack every day, and since we got home from Armenia he is obsessed with mealtime. He kicks his legs when he loves a food, and when he doesn’t or he is done eating he very deliberately throws it. He can drink from the straw in the Playtex straw cup now, and I leave that water cup out all day for him to drink at his convenience. Sometimes he barely notices it, and on hotter days he goes over to it and drinks often. He also started using the Munchkin snack cup and loves digging out blueberries or cucumber slices from it.
8. We have a very serious cruiser. He will sometimes stand for a few seconds before slowly squatting down to the floor, but most of the time Raffi likes keeping one hand gently on the couch/me/end table etc. I think he will be standing up in the middle of the room alone soon since he sometimes almost does it and then changes his mind. He is adventurous but cautious, if there is such a thing.
9. Separation anxiety became a lot worse after our trip to Armenia, but we have turned a corner again. Since Raffi slept in our bed in Armenia and spent 24 hours a day with us, coming home was an adjustment. I immediately went back to putting him down completely awake, and as long as he is relaxed he never cries for more than 10 minutes. Last night he only cried for 3 and then rolled over and fell asleep.
9A. Raffi has grown to really love his lovey. It fell out of the crib once in the middle of the night and he was standing there screaming and trying to reach it and didn’t calm down until I handed it back to him. Poor guy. And speaking of middle of the night, every single night he gets up around 2 or 3 and quietly plays for a few minutes. He walks around the crib, throws his lovey around, and then lays back down and goes to sleep. I love spying on him during this time.
Random thoughts:
Weight: 18 lbs (10%) Height: 29.5 in (75-90%)
Wears: Size 4 diapers. 6-12 month clothing.
Loves: climbing stairs, playing catch, being in the pool, playing with sand, rolling the toilet paper off the toilet paper roll, banging the top of the toilet lid, eating or chasing wires, dipping his hand in a cup of water and splashing the air.
Hates: getting his diaper changed, naptime, being left alone in a room
Here are some 9 month photos (click to enlarge):
Previous updates can be found here, and here is last month’s update: 8 months
Great update! Just wanted to ask – are you sure he’s only 20.5 inches in length? That’s how much my daughter was when she was born! At her 9 month check-up she was 28 inches. Thought that might be a misprint. 🙂 Loved reading all of this! Thanks!
@Mary Elizabeth, WHOOPS! I fixed it – thank you. He was 29.5 inches.
SUCH a sweetheart – love your updates and wish you lived closer – I think Sawyer and Raffi would be great friends 😉
He is adorable!!! Wanted to mention that ~ 9 months is when we foudn out about my son’s peanut allergy too!! We continued to buy it for awhile but then just decided not to even take chances. We use sunflower seed butter instead, which i have grown to love! But you better believe whenever we are away without him we definetley indulge in some peanut butter!!
I absolutely adore these updates 🙂
I love his little teeth!! I think that it is amazing that you took Raffi on such a long trip. Many people are afraid to travel with their kids which is too bad for everyone involved.
Julia has a lovey that she loves, too! And I’m quite sure she throws it out of her crib just so I’ll come get it and see her. Little stinkers! They’re smarter than they let on. Raffi is adorable.
@Molly at Duchess of Fork, To be honest, I don’t mind when Geo gets thrown out because I love the extra snuggles 🙂 It’s when he’s throwing himself against the crib and crying/shouting hysterically that I pretend to be asleep and simultaneously kick my husband awake haha
I love that you are teaching Raffi to sign! I was just wondering if there was a specific reason for it?
love the pictures! you guys look absolutely happy! are you in instagram by any chance?
@april, I am. I’m rhodeygirltests. What is your name? I have my account on private so I have to approve you.
@RhodeyGirlTests, oh, ok. I am aprilismyfave. thanks! i love instagram. : )
My family lives on the other side of the world and I am really dreading the day when I have to take my little one on a long flight. Looks like Raffi was a real champ!
Do you have any tips to share for long flights?
adorable as always and YOU look GORGEOUS.