Time really does fly. My sweet boys are nine months old and looking much more like little boys now instead of babies. I can't believe in three short months we will be celebrating their first birthday! (Time to start thinking about party planning)

James
Height: 29 inches (birth 18.5 inches)
Weight: 20lbs (birth 5lbs 9oz)

William
Height: 29 inches (birth 18.5 inches) 
Weight: 20lbs 3oz (birth 5lbs 13oz)

EAT
As far as eating goes the boys sure do love their food. They are eating three meals a day with one snack in the afternoon. They are now eating what we eat when it comes to dinner, unless it's something I think has too much spice for their tummies. They really enjoy all things carbs: muffins, pancakes, toast, grilled cheese, French toast, crackers, etc. It's funny to watch the difference in their eating: James enjoys everything and takes his time while eating, When it comes to Will when I put something he likes on his tray he will shove his mouth full of almost every piece placed on his tray like he is worried I'm going to take it back.

SLEEP
Sleep has been hit and miss this month. I'm hopeful that we are starting to get into a good routine and more restful nights are on the way. We continue the same night time routine getting dinner sometime between 5:00-5:30, head to bath by 6:00-6:15, have their last bottle and then off to bed by 6:45-7:00. I have found that they seem to do better the earlier they go down. Naps aren't they great and I have to say these boys have never been great at napping. Just a few times this month have I been able to get them to lay down for an hour or so.

DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH, and PLAY
This has been a big month of change for the boys. I feel as though they are changing almost everyday.   

This month the boys have become extremely mobile.  Will has been army crawling for about a month now but this month he realized he is really able to go places.  He will "chase" me down if I put him down and walk away and has started to leave the playroom and come into the kitchen with me. (I think it is about time I start seriously looking at baby gates!)  James has officially started crawling!! He did this for the first time the day his daddy came home from deployment!  He also sat himself up for the first time that same day.  They are both able to pull themselves up as well.  James was first doing this and Will was determined to figure it out because James had better access and views of their toys and he wanted to play right along with him.  

Will had a big leap in his social skills this month.  He has started to play peek-a-boo intentionally, usually with his pj shirt after we get dressed for the day.  It is the fasted game of peek-a-boo with him holding up his shirt to cover his face and quickly pulling it back down but he will look at you for a reaction and cover up his face again when you say "Where'd Will go?"  He also gave mommy kisses for the first time on purpose, they were the sweetest slobbery kisses ever!  While running errands at Target Will actually used his little voice to call out to strangers to get their attention for the first time and was thrilled when they gave him the attention he was seeking!

James started using the sound "dadadada" this month and will babble away happily to anyone who will listen.  He has also started using a pincer grasp while eating and can now pick up tiny pieces of food with ease including, much to my chagrin, tiny pieces of dog food!

James

My Sweet Jamie James!  Oh what a sweet boy you are.  This month you are starting to look a whole lot less like a baby and much more like a toddler.  You have changed and developed so much: crawling, sitting up, babbling.  You are playing more and more with your brother and I love watching you two interact and develop this sweet bond.  When we are out and about you are pretty quick to give any stranger who will chat with you a great big smile.  You continue to be a pretty big mommy's boy especially at night and I just love the feeling of you snuggling your little head into my neck as you lay your head on my chest.  I can't believe we only have three more months until your first birthday!  I look forward to seeing how you will continue to grow and change in the next couple of months!  I love you more than you will ever know!

Love 
Mommy





William

My Sweet William!  What a month this has been for you growing and changing!  You have a sweet personality and you sure do love your mommy!  You are still unsure of strangers and look to me for reassurance.  You love your brother, and the dogs' food.  I'm pretty sure you think the dog bowls are really for you and become quite upset when I take it away from you.  The bond you have with your brother is pretty amazing, I love watching it grow on a daily basis.  You will now intentionally give me kisses, sometimes, which I love.  As we approach your first birthday I am struck by how much you are looking like a little boy and no longer looking like my little baby.  I'm excited to see what you learn to do in the next couple of months!  I love you to the moon and back!

Love 
Mommy