10-11-12 = 9 months of Jacqueline

HAPPY MONTHIVERSARY!
Another 3 months have gone by & now you are 9 months old!
You are a character, constantly clapping & smiling!
You're not really crawling yet, but you're busy in your own way! : )
Today you weighed 16.11 pounds, 27 inches long & 42.5 cm head circumference.
Lots of growth since 6 month clinic visit, most definitely since you arrived!
Another pound & you'll have tripled your weight! That's truly amazing - you started so small! 

Side note:
Big sister almost weighs 38 pounds ... yeah!!! You only need a couple more to get to 40 pounds by 4th birthday in December. That way Jacqueline can move into a big kid car seat by 1st birthday in January & Julia can move into a booster seat.  Come on, girls, save your parents some money!!!! : )

Julia also is growing up & out as her pants & tops are getting shorter & her shoes are getting smaller. We don't have any tennis shoes in size 11 or 12 so we're headed to thrift store tomorrow. 

Self-determination

Three year olds are obviously short versions of the adults they will become.

Julia has expressed herself really well since she was much smaller but today she took it one step further. She said she was hungry (mid-morning snack) and I was apparantly taking too long so without announcement or warning she runs off. About 20 secs later she reappears and says in a very matter-of-fact, matter-of-course way, "Dad, I was in the pantry." "I want rice cake and almond butter." Then she sat back down and continued what she was doing.

It's all very normal, but it's quite amazing to watch up close.

Addition from Tara on 11-5-11:
Today Julia did the same thing with the juice. She took it from the fridge & came back to tell me it was on the counter, again after she'd already asked for it & waited patiently for me to respond & I was taking too long.
She's resourceful & communicative! Kind of like someone else I know! : )

Defining Herself

"I'm a girl, a child." Julia says emphatically.
"Don't call me a baby" she adds with even more confidence.

We continue to direct her but Julia is taking control of her life quickly. She is moving through potty training with lightening speed now that we've started to emphasize it. She so wants to wear underwear - "like you and like mommy".

Her abilities and skills continue to appear and refine. She has so much of Tara's confidence and directness...I can't wait to watch a teen Julia and Tara butt heads (insert evil laugh).

I am excited to see how she defines herself with each passing age.