9 Months Old!

Sophie turned 9 months on the 14th, but yesterday was her check-up w/ the pediatrician. She is doing well and staying pretty much in the same ranges [head = 45cm (75-90%), weight = 17lb, 13oz (25-50%), length = 28 3/8in. (90%)] so she is built like her parents (and therefore will never completely fill out the seat of her pants - at least not after she stops wearing diapers). She is wanting so badly to crawl but isn't quite there yet. But that doesn't stop her from getting from one side of the room to another w/o a problem. It is amazing the ways she finds to move. Still no teeth, but it looks like one is wanting to pop up any day now (I have been saying this for months, but I really think it's true now). She is starting to eat table foods and really enjoys it. See below for a picture of the day that I let her feed herself w/ her spoon. Erik was coming home late so we did it w/o him...he wouldn't have enjoyed seeing our daughter get filthy.

Along w/ all of these physical developments are coming some emotional ones. It is frequently a battle of the wills when we get Sophie in the high chair or on the changing table. I'm convinced that my mom prayed that God would give me a strong-willed child so I could see what she went through w/ me. Don't get me wrong, I love my daughter very much, but I recognize (more and more each day) that she is a sinner and that shepherding her is a huge responsibility. It just amazes me how quickly we went from tiny and cuddly to huge and independent. I know you're thinking, "how independent can a 9-month-old be?" You apparently have not met Sophie. She is very much her own person, and I consider that a blessing. It is a ton of fun to watch her work. But at the same time I need a daily measure of grace and strength to know how best to teach her and lovingly discipline her. My daily prayer is that Erik and I will "train her up in the way she should go so that when she is old she will not depart from it." I know we would appreciate your prayers as well :).

This is the saddest face you'll ever see...Sophie post-screaming. When she's REALLY upset you can tell because she gets splotchy.

It's hard to believe this was all 9 months ago!