sweet child of nine

oh emma claire. oh sweet child of mine. of nine. nine months old!!

nine months ago you entered this world and it will forever be different. you are the single proudest moment of our lives. i can't possibly put into words what your presence has done except to say that you. are. magic. and we love you more than you could ever know.

ryan and i got to talking over dinner the other night and came up with a list....what we love about emma at 9 months. So here goes....

~ does "EVERYTHING!" count?? no, seriously.

~ your "insane happiness" as daddy likes to call it. i've never seen a baby, or any person for that matter, smile as much as you. the world, life, existance makes you smile and you remind us that happiness is all around us.

~ those dimples. my gosh. don't know where they came from but we'll keep them!!!!

~ the crescendo of your voice as you test it out. constant chatter turns into SQUEAL!

~ your intensity of experience, curiosity about the world around you, and your extreme determination to accomplish whatever it is you've set your little mind on. the fact that your personality shines through so obviously already is so much fun.

~ watching you play with your friends. if only we knew what you all where talking about!

~ discovering new things that make you laugh. it feels like winning the lottery.

~ the way you play games....peek a boo and such. you'll offer your paci up and then take it away and laugh hysterically. what a comic!

~ what a good eater you are. and how much fun you have doing it.

~ your tired coos and your anytime snuggles. swoon.

~ your love for jewelry and iPhones. i swear i had nothing to do with this.

~ peeking on you every night before bed. i especially love how you've started sleeping with your butt up like your daddy did when he was little.

~ your excitement when either daddy or i enters the room....it's like you're saying "i missed you!"

~ how you've developed bonds of love with the people close in our lives. you recognize your family and friends!

~ ok seriously, does EVERYTHING count???

emma, you and your smile light up our lives. life makes sense and is infinitely more grand with you here to share it with. who knew one little person could have 2 big people so ridiculously wrapped around her finger. mommy and daddy love you to the moon and back....and even more than that :)

oh emma claire. oh sweet child of mine. nine. happy 9 months!!!