Leighton’s 9 Month Update

Leighton is still going to bed between 8:00 and 8:30, and she is sleeping until about 7:00 or 7:30 now, so she’s back on her 11 hour schedule now that her leap is over (she was sleeping 12-13 before.)  She is still taking 2 naps, and they usually total 3-4 hours.  She has been giggling even more lately, and she loves playing peekaboo.  Leighton still says Mama, but she also says Dada too.  She loves waving at people and will also give me the come on waving motion when she wants more food.  She is still doing great with her baby led weaning and loves food.  She’s had eggs since she was 6 months old, but we’ve been giving her even more of then now, and scrambled eggs is one of her favorites.  She seemed to really like grits last night too.  She loves brinner (breakfast for dinner) just like Shane and me.  = )  She has been liking to use her hands more than her spoon recently, and has been eating more foods as finger foods.  I feel pretty proud that almost every single meal she’s had for the last 3 months has been homemade, and this is coming from someone who never really cooked before, so this was a big accomplishment for me.  She pulls up onto everything and crawls like a pro.  She actually climbed up and stood up by herself in her chair last week (I may have freaked out a little.)  She is definitely a little daredevil like me; poor Shane!  She takes several steps pushing her walker now.  Her other favorite toy is still her car.  Everyone always says just wait until they’re more mobile, and things will get really crazy.  I have been waiting for her to get more mobile for 9 months.  It is SO much easier now because she is finally actually getting a little independent.  I could never sit her down before and leave her like everyone talks about, but now I actually can, and she will play or crawl and follow me.  It is so nice having a free hand occasionally.  = )  I still love that she wants to be held a lot though.  She is still a huge mama’s girl too.  = )  She weighed 15lbs 2oz a week ago and is 26.25 inches long.  I think she is destined to be petite like Shane and me.  She is so happy and adventurous though.  I plan on taking her to the Children’s Museum to the first time tomorrow and am excited to see what they have for children.  I’ve heard they have a baby area, and they also have the splash park.  What other fun activities do you recommend for a 9 month old?  What toys are good for that age?