To the Lake

We had an amazing mini-vacation at the Cosse's lakehouse in Hot Springs.

Her cousins Carley and Cole were so sweet to her, and she had fun watching the big kids play.

faster, faster!

Our little canary enjoying a boat ride.

Having a blast with Daddy and looking good with a mohawk!

another proud Daddy! (cousin Kurt and Cole)

. . . until next summer!

The Ninth Month

And a busy one its been! Obviously. I am a month behind on the blog. Give me a break though... I have a baby-on-the-move, and we have traveled more this summer than we have in the past 5 years (it seems like). She is technically 10 months old today, but this is my recap for Carlyle's 9th month.

9 month stats

18.5 lbs (40%)

28.5 in (75%)

43.5 cm (30%)

Teeth = 0

Carlyle is developing a personality of her own more and more each day. Her babbling is turning into chatter, and almost everyone she meets says, "what a happy baby". She is a social butterfly (and kind of has to be with all the Garrity family activities), smiling at strangers and making friends. Separation Anxiety is kicking in the last couple of weeks... she doesn't like when I leave the room, and she's learning to throw a little fit when she doesn't get what she wants.

She has discovered that crawling is the fastest mode of transportation to get where she wants to go, and she can really book it when she wants to. She can make it from our den to the master bathroom, stand up, and twist the faucet around towards the floor in a matter of seconds. She still takes 2 naps a day, first around 10 and the second around 3:30. She has always been a pretty good sleeper, and has managed to stay pretty consistent this summer regardless of traveling. I'd like to get her going to bed earlier at night, but she usually sleeps from 9-7.

who me?

And then there's her eating habits. I've decided she has a texture problem, and I also think she will develop an appetite when her teeth come in. My theory. Her limited solid foods diet consists of baby oatmeal, pears, applesauce, cheerios, sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe. I know, it's all sweet fruit! She will gnaw on a piece of bread or play with lids while I attempt to get her to eat from a spoon. My next move is going to be towards more finger foods and to stick to veggies and healthier options if I can. The doctor says she's getting her nutrition from the breastmilk and just needs to develop healthy eating habits at this point.

New finger foods:

cheerios

boiled carrots

steamed sweet peas

cheese

brown rice

french bread (to gnaw on)

mum mums

Some of her 9 month tricks:

• Says Daddy/Dada pretty clearly
• Likes to turn the pages when we read a book, especially Goodnight Moon and Wocket in my Pocket
• Can balance while standing and occasionally takes a step
• Says Baa (when she sees a ball or the Baby Einstein lamb)
• Will sometimes patty-cake, but still doesn't like when you try to control her hands
• Likes to read Counting Kisses to fall asleep
• Says duh duh sometimes when she sees a duck
• Laughs when she sees your belly button
• Always standing in her crib waiting for me in the morning
• laughs at everyone who passes her in the mall, whether they actually see her or not
• Puts her finger on the mouse in Goodnight Moon, then laughs
• She can knock back a sippy cup of water ("like a football player" as LC would say)
• Cruises the wall to get where she wants to go

Steppin' out in Montreal!

We are officially calling Carlyle's first step... at 9mo 2wks, she took a very sturdy and balanced step towards her Daddy and his shiny watch. She worked the room and the lobby at the ALoft hotel at the Montreal airport Sunday night before getting brave enough to take her first step!

Carlyle, Zuzu, Justin and I had an amazing week in Canada and upstate New York. We stayed in an apartment in the heart of Old Montreal for the first 3 nights, practicing our French and hiking the city. Carlyle was a trooper, taking a couple of naps on-the-go in her stroller and dining with us at every restaurant along the way. She has decided she only likes to eat (gum) the finest of French bread. Hey, at least she is eating something!

As restless and busy as she is these days, she allowed us to take a 4-5 hour drive south to Clinton, NY. We drove through the Adirondacks on the way down, stopping in Lake Placid for lunch and enjoying the beautiful lakes and scenery from our car window. After a few hot and humid days in Montreal, the 70 degree cool breeze was such a relief! The perfect weather for a perfect wedding.

Oui Oui Sophie. Carlyle and Sophie enjoying a proper French breakfast on the patio together.

The view from our window.

I loved the "old fashioned" looking crib. And Carlyle loved to pull up on the bars and use it as a playpen.

The view of our window. We stayed on the second floor of this building, with a view of the busy street of Old Montreal.

Inside the Notre-Dame de Montréal Basilica. Zuzu strolled Carlyle while Justin and I toured the church.