9 months!!!!

Well, we successfully made it through the 9 month well checks- thanks to my 6 helpers!  The pediatrician said we were like a "well oiled machine".  Then it occurred to me that our next well check is 12 months- I just can't believe we're that close to a year!  It really boggles my mind.

At 9 months the babies are definitely moving away from being babies and closer to being toddlers.  The  5 are all sitting independently and rolling (well, not so much rolling going on with Ben).   The bigs are trying really hard to go from laying to sitting on their own, but just can't quite get there.  Ben and Andrew are pros at holding their bottles, Levi can for most of the feeding, and Caroline will only hold her sippy cup.  Speaking of sippy cups, we have started the transition process by doing the afternoon feeding in sippy cups.  Guess who's the only one who fights it- Allison!!  They get 2 spoon feedings a day (lunch and dinner).  These have gone really well!  They've tried a variety of cereals and vegetables and are really tolerant of everything, but favorites are sweet potatoes and carrots.  The bigs are sleeping 11 hours straight, and the littles sleep 8.  Leah varies depending on her reflux.  They are becoming more and more social- interested in adults and each other and toys.  They like balls, rattles, the inchworm, anything that lights up and/or makes sounds, and jumperoos.  They like books, songs, when we talk to them, peek a boo, dance parties, and walks in the stroller.  They think Maggie is hilarious.  They're not really bothered by strangers- may stare for a minute or two, but pretty much if someone gives them attention they're all for it.   They can take pacis and bottles out of their mouths and put them back in and find toys they have dropped.  All of these new skills have made things a little easier on us!  Now on to their individual profiles which include the silly dwarf names my dad and I made up for them (as if they were the 6 dwarfs)...

Andrew Noah

Andrew is the tallest at 27.5 in (25%) and 2nd heaviest at 19 lb 9.5 oz. (35%).  He's in size 3 diapers and clothes are larger 6 mo, smaller 9 mo and anything in between. He gets 4 7 oz bottles a day plus the 2 spoon feedings.  Despite this picture, he actually smiles and does his hillbilly laugh all the time.  He is still the flirt of the group.  He can hold his own bottle and sippy cup with no problem and often only uses one hand.  He's a pro at finding his pacifier and putting it in his mouth.  He can easily entertain himself in his crib or on the floor- usually by rolling around and getting himself into odd positions.  It's always entertaining for us to see how we'll find Andrew in his crib.  He's the most interested in his siblings and Maggie; he's always reaching out to touch someone.  The one negative on Andrew- he whines!  Once he decides he wants something or wants to be done with something, it's non stop whining, crying, and kicking his legs.  I predict many tantrums with Andrew on the floor kicking his legs... ugh.  He also likes to make random loud, high pitched squeal sounds just so you remember that he's there.  Oh, and his twinkle toe self is almost completely corrected- thanks exersaucers!  Most people think he looks like a mini-Dave and a real little boy.  He also has the best posture when sitting- I for sure don't know where he got that from.  Dwarf name = Whiney

Benjamin Luke

Everyone loves Benny Boo Boo's cheeks!  He has lived up to his name (Big Ben) weighing in at 20 lb 13 oz (55%)!  His length is 26.4 in (3%).  Obviously he's a solidly stocky boy who doesn't let a bottle get by him.  Size 3 diapers and larger/wider 6 mo and 9 mo and anything in between for clothes.  He gets 4 7oz bottles a day plus the 2 spoon feedings.  Ben holds his own bottles and sippy cups, but is quite particular on which sippy cup he wants.  He is a very happy, easy going boy.  He smiles and laughs often.  He's quite content just looking around and makes little to no effort to roll.  I think he'll probably crawl before he rolls.  He's the only one I think intermittently responds to his name.  He can find his paci and put it in his own mouth and is great at entertaining himself.  He loves to slam his legs and arms, grab his feet, and JUMP.  He could jump all day long if I let him.  He has even chaffed his butt cheeks from jumping so much.  He is by far the most talkative.  He babbles and squeals all the time and frequently uses consonants.  Ben is also expressive with his face too.  He looks like my father-in-law and Dave's baby pictures.  We debated on his dwarf name and never decided, so you can pick your own favorite: Happy, Chubby, Fluffy, Chatty, Squealy

Caroline Grace

This sweet girl has the biggest smile.  Her measurements are 18lb 13.5 oz (51%) and 26.3 in (13%).  She's hanging in there with the big boys and is definitely part of the group we call "the bigs".  She's in size 3 diapers and clothes size 6 mo to 9 mo.  She eats 4 6 oz bottles per day plus 2 spoon feedings.  Although she is quite capable of holding her bottle, she chooses not to, but will hold her sippy cup.  She is the best spoon feeder of the group.  However, she does either put her fingers or her Sophie into her mouth after each bite which can get messy.  She is great at reaching and grabbing and has no problem taking toys from her siblings.  She likes to eskimo kiss and grab at your face or hands while you hold her.  She is the one who cries to be picked up the most.  She is very curious and interested in everything- a book, a shoe, a bib, a chair, whatever.  People say she looks like both of us, but the older she gets, the more she looks like me.  Caroline loves Maggie almost as much as Andrew does.  She has no interest in her pacifier and prefers her middle and ring fingers.  Her dwarf name is Tooty because she still farts like a man.

Leah Michelle

My sweet little Leah Peah girl.  She wasn't really happy with the outdoor picture idea.  She's definitely the little Leah weighing in at 11lb 14 oz (0%) and measuring 23.5 in (0%).  She's been growing length-wise lately and is long and skinny.  She's in size 1 diapers and size 3 and 3-6 mo clothes.  She eats just over 2 oz 3 times a day and continuously at night through her g button.  She has started eating 2 tsp of plain cereal a day.  Although it is a small amount, she is tolerating the solid food which is big progress for her.  She spends a lot of time in therapy working on her developmental skills and she just loves her therapy time.  Leah loves to cuddle and do tummy time.  She likes music and being around her siblings.  She loves going for walks in the stroller and dancing with mommy.  Leah smiles quite often now and is generally a sweet natured baby.  Her dwarf name is Cuddly.

Allison Kate

This little smidgen is something else.  She's got personality and fiery red hair to go along with it.  The most proportional baby, she weighs 14 lbs and measures 24.3 in- both at 0%.  In size 1, about to be size 2 diapers and 3 to 3-6 mo clothes.  She is offered 5 5 oz bottles a day with 2 spoon feedings.  She loves her spoon feedings and hates the bottles and sippy cups.  Her slogan is "Bottles are for babies and I'm a little lady."  She is often swaddled (or as we say- papoosed) to encourage her to eat without batting the bottle away.  Allison loves anything social- talking, making faces, making sounds.  She loves peek-a-boo so much she doesn't even care if you're playing it with a sibling; she'll still give you a huge smile.  She definitely likes to do things on her own terms, like last week when she decided she would sit independently and has done marvelously since.  She sucks her thumb while falling asleep and does this odd back bend scoot thing.  Makes diaper changing interesting when she's trying to back bend off the changing table.  People say she looks like my mini-me and always has.  Her dwarf name is Wiggly.  

Levi Thomas

Little Levi Guy!  or Little Guy Levi!  He weighed in at 14lb. 2.5 oz and 24.4 in- both at 0%.  He just made it to size 2 diapers and is still size 3 mo and 3-6 mo clothes.  He eats 5 5oz bottles a day plus 2 spoon feedings.  He varies on the solids, it usually takes him a few trials before he decides he likes something.  He's done well with the sippy cup; he holds that and his bottle for about the first half then gets distracted by something- usually his hands.  He loves to stare at his hands and feet, especially if his thumb is stuck between his fingers.  He prefers to slam his arms rather than his legs.  He is a rolling machine- even with his helmet and will attempt to roll over anything in his way.  We had to unelevate his mattress because he was rolling right down the incline.  He is very good natured and easy going most of the time.  The helmet doesn't phase him one bit- well, except for relearning how to sit while being top heavy.  Levi is quite smiley and loves to laugh at adults being silly and his siblings.  Levi loves to jump almost as much as Ben.  They don't even need a jumperoo- they'll jump on your lap.  He likes his paci while he's falling asleep.  His dwarf name is Rolly.  

There you have it- Perkins Pack at 9 months.  They are truly a delight to be around and watch grow.  Some days they completely wear me out, but it's worth it.  I'm always amazed at how much people love these babies whether they've met them or not and how much our family has impacted the lives of others.  Can't wait to see what God has in store for them.  I must give a shout out to our family and friends who have put in all the time to help us raise these babies- we could not do it without you!!!  We are so blessed and we thank God for all we have everyday.