Cooper has been learning a lot of new skills, mostly towards the end of the 8th month and mastering them as he turned 9 months just a week ago. Now a proficient crawler, he is maneuvering fast around the house. Fortunately, he stays away from the kitchen and hallway so I haven't been putting up the gates...yet.
He knows 'no' though doesn't necessarily obey and usually cries (not actually crying) in protest when I don't want him to touch the humidifier or the laptops' cords. Chuck and I haven't totally baby-proofed the house, but have plugged unused outlets and bought a power strip cover so he wouldn't pull the plugs out. We bought a outlet cover for his room, but he doesn't play in there much. So we have much yet to do with proofing the house, but he is not alone and we keep a watchful eye on him. But still, we'll have to do it soon because you just never know.
Cooper also has been pulling himself up to stand and has tentatively been letting go and able to stand without support for a max of 10 seconds. He knows how to sit himself down with great eccentric control and is getting a good workout by stooping and squatting. Cooper is also cruising furniture. We have a very strong baby boy here!
He is also such a babbler and loves to babble. He just said 'mum' a few days ago. A week ago, it was all about 'dada' and then 'nana' and now 'mum'! He also loves to wave, clap his hands as well as point with his index finger.
The doctor said he is doing great. He is in the 75-90th percentile for height and head circumference and in the 50th percentile for weight. Doctor said that was normal as he is more active and burning more calories. He isn't losing any weight and has gain over 2 lbs. since his last check-up. He's a hefty 20 lbs. 7.5 ounces and boy, do my arms feel it!!!
Anyways, Cooper is doing so well and just can't believe that he'll be one in 3 months!!
I was thinking that if we ever wanted another child (and Chuck does, I'm still on the fence) and wanted them to be 2 years apart, then we'd have to start trying in October!! Ummmm, no!!! "I'm just not ready", I told Chuck; to which Chuck said "We can wait until December". Oh really!!!!