9 Months

At 9 months Baby Sister is still very much an itty-bitty pipsqueak. She weighs 15 pounds 4 ounces which puts her in the 3rd percentile which means that among 100 other babies her age there are 97 who weigh more than she does. As for her length she is 27 inches (30%) and her head is still big, 17 7/8 inches (85%). J and I adore our little 'bobblehead' babies. On the mobility front, Baby Sister rolls quite masterfully to get where she wants to go and she can quite often be found lying on her tummy these days. She can also sit for long periods of time, unassisted, before losing her balance and toppling over. She's usually babbling (most often, "Daaaa-daaaa") and she loves to growl.

Gone Fishin'

Saturday was the Girl's first fishing trip on a boat, Papa's boat. They headed out just before 8:00 (in the morning!!) with 1 new, pink life jacket, sun hat, sunscreen, an activity book, fishing pole and of course food - lunch (a pb & j sandwich) and plenty of snacks. From what the Girl told me, she ate fruit snacks, Hershey's kisses, Raisinets, chocolate chip cookies and a grape...just one, throughout the course of the day. That evening during dinner, after the eating habits of the day had been brought up, J informed the Girl that "what happens on fishing trips with Papa and Daddy, stays on fishing trips." Hee, hee!!

When she wasn't fishing, or asking if it was time to leave yet, the Girl was taking photos. Including one of herself. Ah, I'm teaching
her well.

A Girl after my own heart. Already realizing the importance of photo documentation.

Here Fishy, Fishy!! Part: III

Baby Sister continues to be delighted by the fishies at Gramma's house. She could sit there and watch them for infinite amounts of time.

This is her punk-rock look - she's sporting a semi fauxhawk and if it weren't for the pink jammies one might confuse her for a...boy. (Grow hair,

grow!!!!!!) Ah, but it has been growing, alot. Especially if you look at this picture and then...

...this. Just one month earlier at the end of May. The hair on the back of her head has filled in a lot since then!!

And this was in February.

Mango!!

Baby Sister tried pureed fresh mango for the first time on Friday afternoon. This is what she thought of it. I think it was a little bit too sweet for her.

Day 5: Outta Here!!

We spent a few final hours at the Magical Kingdom on Saturday before heading to the airport to catch our flight.

Had to take one more spin on a few of the Girl's favorite rides.

Somewhere, I think my Mom has a picture of me riding this very same horse...over 20 years ago.

Baby Sister's first spin on the carousel while awake and facing outward. She took to it like a fish to water, immediately grabbing on to that pole and holding on tight.

The Girl didn't want to leave and asked if we could live at Disneyland, in Minnie's house. But as you can see, both her and Baby Sister

were quite tuckered out after several days of early mornings and late nights. It was a wonderful vacation, truly magical indeed.

Day 4: Splash!

Our 4th day started off with a little California Dreamin'. Seems to be sweet dreaming at that!!

Of course we had to hit the teacups on our way to Gadget's Go Coaster.

We also headed to Pixie Hollow and met Rosetta...

and Tinkerbell.

In the afternoon we skipped on over to California Adventure and the Girl got a refreshing cool down at the splash pads.

J and Baby Sister looking on.

Hot and sweaty but still sweet and smiley.

Totally digging Disneyland.

Waiting for the fireworks above Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Day 3: Roller Coaster & Fairies

We waited in line for Toontown to open and then raced to Gadget's Go Coaster where the Girl proceeded to ride it 4 times in a row. She couldn't get enough of it and would've ridden more if we'd let her. And of course, her hands were up the entire time.

Then we waited in line to meet Miss Minnie Mouse. The Girl is only smiling because I'm tickling her.

Then while the Girl and I rode Gadget's Go Coaster some more, J and Baby Sister went and saw this guy.

The Girl's favorite part of today, aside from Gadget's Go Coaster, was meeting some of Tinkerbell's pals. Iridessa and...

Silvermist.

There was also more of this.

Day 2: California Adventure

We spent Wednesday at California Adventure and met these guys.

We went to the Disney Playhouse Live show featuring Mickey and his pals as well as Handy Manny, Little Einsteins and Pooh. The Girl loved this show and was on her feet the entire time clapping, dancing, chasing bubbles and trying to catch confetti that came cascading down from the ceiling.

Baby Sister was quite intrigued by all of the characters and unlike the Girl, she was not afraid to get up close and personal with them.

For dinner we headed to Ariel's Grotto and had dinner with all of the princesses. The Girl had been looking forward to this all day long.

Despite being excited, when the time came the Girl was quite bashful and exclaimed that she didn't want the princesses to come to our table. She just wanted to watch them from afar. But Cinderella was able to put her at ease.

And Belle even coaxed a hug out of her!!

The Girl wasn't keen on Sleeping Beauty so J and Baby Sister stepped in for the photo op.

And of course Snow White.

Our day culminated with the Disney Electric Light Parade.

...the Magical Kingdom, happiest place on Earth.

Tuesday was our first day in Disneyland. As you can see, the Girl was not too thrilled about our request to have her picture taken in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Our second ride of the morning (the first being King Arthur's Carousel), Dumbo.

The Girl loved the teacups...

...but her favorite part of the day was meeting a few of the princesses. We waited and waited in line and then waited some more. Nearly two hours to be exact. Even after I informed the Girl that the next evening we would be dining at Ariel's Grotto and would have the opportunity to meet all of the princesses at that time. Still she wanted to wait in line. I proceeded to remind her every 15 minutes

about the dinner and ask if she still wanted to wait in line. She did. So we waited and she was ever so patient (as were J and Baby Sister), never once complaining or asking when it would be our turn. Once we finally reached the front of the line, I practically had to drag the Girl along to talk to Belle and then Aurora and Jasmine. Try as they might, she wouldn't talk to them and getting her picture with them by herself was

completely out of the question. As for Baby Sister, she seemed quite awestruck by their dresses.


In the evening we watched the Pixar Play Parade featuring characters from Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Monster's Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Cars. The Girl was waving madly at each and every float, person and character that

passed by.

Before the day was over we went to Toontown where the Girl wanted to ride Gadget's Go Coaster...a pretty big kid's rollercoaster. Big enough that I felt the need to hold on to the lap bar. Not the Girl though. As soon as we sat down in the car both of her hands shot up into the air and that is where they remained during the entire ride. She LOVED it!! It became a favorite ride of hers...second only to the carousel.