9 months

 9 months in                                          9 months out

Happy 9 months to our happy girl! She weighs 17.1lbs and is 27.5 inches tall! She hasn't grown a lot in the last 3 months because she's destined to be a shorty like her momma. But she is a healthy girl with the cutest chunky baby legs EVER! She FINALLY cut her first tooth a few days ago and it's still making its way up. She's been a champ the last week and a half battling a cold and teething! She is an expert crawler, stair climber, and stander. She is always letting go of things to stand on her own for several seconds. She loves walking around with a walker or holding mom or dad's hands. We think she'll be walking here soon! She loves tasting all different kinds of foods. She waves occasionally and can sign dog. Seriously she is super smart and learns things very quickly. I still can't believe that she's 9 months and that she's ALL MINE!!

As I was putting together my Instagram post, I had so much fun looking back on the time I spent being pregnant with her. I am one of those women who got super lucky and enjoyed being pregnant. Ok I take that back, it wasn't all good. Going a week over my due date was NOT FUN. But looking back I loved being pregnant with lil miss Lexi. I can't believe she's been out in the world for as long as she was in my belly! And of course searching for a 9 month bump picture led me down memory lane as I looked through all the pictures we have of her since her birth. 

I've shared this quote before but I think of it often as Lexi grows: 

"Raising a child is the only time you feel nostalgic for the present."

To me, this saying perfectly embodies the feelings you get as you see all the little moments pass by so fleetingly. 

It's hard to strike the balance between wanting some phases of child rearing to be over and then missing them as soon as they pass... All while living in the moment and trying to soak it all in! I want NEED time to slow down but at the same time I am SO beyond excited for all that the future holds. To see her start to walk soon. Then run. To see her babbling turn into words and then sentences; to help her learn to read. Then find hobbies that she loves and enjoys. I can't wait to watch her make friends, dance, LIVE. She already brings so much joy into our lives that I can't wait for what's to come. 

Sure, she will more than likely go through the terrible two tantruming phase and the crazy dramatic teenage girl years, but you know what, that's ok! It's more than ok. It's all part of this wonderful life. I'm sure there will be days when she and I won't get along or when Logan and I are at our wits end and just need a break. We all just need to remind ourself that these small struggles are ok and normal and most of all they WILL pass. 

Wow. I didn't expect this to turn into some sappy, scattered post, but it is what it is. Don't even get my started on how she will be ONE YEAR in just a few short months! (Insert crying emoji here.)

Now here are some more pictures of 9 month old Lexi because who doesn't want that?! ;)

Cutest custom tee from Elemeno Tees!