Cole at 9 months!

Cole is now 9 months old as of last week! We went for a check up, and again, everything is going wonderfully with him! He's a happy, healthy, and very active little 9 month old, and we're so thankful for that and for him!

Here is a glimpse into a doctor's visit with 3 busy kiddos. Gets a little crowded in those rooms! But everyone did great. Cole did have to get a shot, and the big kids were really concerned and scared for him. Carter, bless his heart, chose to wait out in the hallway while the nurse came in to give it to him. He just didn't even want to be a part of it at all, and wasn't sure he could handle seeing Cole's tears. And I'm pretty sure Ella wanted to stay in with us because she was just sure that he would be too upset for even Mommy to console, and that I'd next the extra help from her. ;) They sure love their baby brother. Good news is it went just fine, and everyone was over it in just a couple of minutes!

Cole now weighs 18 pounds, 8 ounces, and is 28 inches. That's around the 30th % for both. He's a little smaller than average at this point, but Dr. Nail said to expect a major growth spurt soon!

So here is what Cole is up to now, at 9 months.

• Takes two naps a day. First on around 9 or 9:30am and again around 2:00pm. Both are usually an hour and a half or so long, if we don't have to get him up to be somewhere. He doesn't usually nap on the go anymore, but it does happen from time to time. He goes to be around 7:30 or 8:00pm, and sleeps until 6:30 or 7am, without even a peep during the night! He's still a great sleeper!
• He no longer eats purees, he just wants all the yummy table food, so that is what he gets! He loves everything we give him. Favorites are meats, beans, and all fruits! He throws so much food down, and sometimes I'm not quite sure where it all goes! 
• He's basically doing everything but walking! He can stand for a few seconds at a time, if we force him, but not voluntarily just yet. He loves to be walked around by his hands, one of Carter's favorite things to do with him. He would really love to climb steps and things like that, but of course, he's not allowed, and he knows that. :) He can push his walker toy, and slowly cruise around furniture.
•  He babbles several sounds, and loves to mimic what he hears. We hear "babababa," "dadadada," or "yayayayaya" the most. "Mamamama" when he's upset.... of course! You can tell he really is understanding us when we speak to him, too. Basic phrases like "Are you hungry?", "Want some milk?", "Are you tired?" Etc. His facial expressions and sounds he makes are definitely responses to these types of questions! And he definitely understands the word "No" also. Mostly we have to use this when it comes to the stairs or the pulg-in night lights. We're pretty baby proofed around here, so that's about the extent of "No".... but he gets it! 
• He still LOVES his big brother and sister, and watches them constantly. He loves to interactively play with them now too, at his little crawl through house or upstairs in the playroom. And they're pretty good about each taking the time to play with him too. Carter is actually a huge help to me, as he can pick Cole up and redirect him if he's getting close to something/somewhere he shouldn't be if I'm occupied. Happens a lot. :)
• He's overall still just the most easy going and happiest baby! We all love him to death. Hard to believe he'll be 1 at the end of the summer!

And with that, I'll leave you with a few adorable pictures of our littlest guy on our vacation, right when he turned 9 months!(more to come on that, soon!)

 The life.

 Too cute!