9 months!

Nine months ago today L*ily made her grand entrance into the world. L*ily, we have now known you outside the womb longer than inside.

At 9 months, you are just beginning to sit on your own.

At 9 months, you smile with your whole face or even your whole body. You light up when I walk into the room and I can't help but smile, happy that you are happy.

At 9 months, you can down a jar of baby food faster than we can eat our dinner and gum your puffs and biscuit with a little help.

At 9 months, you shout when you are excited or want something and I smile knowing it means you will talk someday.

At 9 months, you have become coy, tipping your head side to side and smiling.

At 9 months, you are just under 16 lbs of squeezable baby with dimpled knees and a little roll on your arms.

I have to pinch myself when I think about where we were at a year ago - so many fears, so many unknowns.

You have changed us, L*ily - changed how we see others, the world, ourselves.

Happy 9 month birthday to the most beautiful L*ily I have ever met. I am honored to be your mommy.