Letter to My Hallie: 9 Months

My very best Hal Pal,

You have got to slow down with the growing up...it's too, too fast! But despite your insistence on growing, you are the most darling thing.

You've been doing some of the cutest things lately, and I just about die from cuteness overload every single day. One of the very sweetest things that you do (and have done for almost your whole life) is the way you wake me in the mornings; you almost never cry and you NEVER scream. Usually, you just make what Claire calls your "beautiful sounds" (cooing and sighing happily). And sometimes you sing or hum! It is the kindest, sweetest way to wake up.

Singing and dancing are two of your most beloved pastimes. You will dance to anything. Absolutely anything, and we are here for it. (Anything = chants, cheers, humming, clapping, random noises made around here, *actual music*)

We've been working on your physical milestones lately, like sitting and your pincer grip. Both are coming along nicely! Sitting is hard for you, of course, given that your head size is in the 99th percentile. You tend to topple, bless your heart. True to the trail blazed by your sisters, walking is NO WHERE on the horizon, especially given that you still dislike rolling and have zero interest in crawling (again, and very much like Claire at your age, your head is so heavy to hold up that trying to crawl is just too laborious. I predict that you, like Claire and Brynnie, will be a scooter. I'm fine with that.)

Sweet potatoes are your true love. You could eat them all day every day (it should be mentioned that you have nary a tooth). I give you roasted sweet potato sticks, which are perfect for you to grab and eat. While I know that we can't go ahead and call it yet, you heavily favor your left hand and might just end up being another Lefty Boswell Lady (there are many in the Boswell clan). We'll just have to see.

You give us kisses (very slobbery, open-mouthed kisses), and it's SO SWEET. Feel free to continue that forever.

As a baby of the pandemic, there are some elements of your babyhood that are a little different than the other girls', particularly your lack of interaction with many people outside of our family. Things are beginning to open back up, and we're having to help you learn how to be around other people and not be too scared or wary (which isn't helped by your developmental phase of distrust...). We'll get there. It will all work out.

We love you so much that I can't even put it into words. You are the very best little love, and we are SO GRATEFUL for you.

Love,
Mommy

Waiting for food

"Uncle Hallie"

We are TERRIBLE at getting you bathed on a schedule. Thank you for not holding it against us so far.

Chomping on a carrot stick

I could watch you sleep all the live-long day. Except I can't. We have too many people in this house.

You really love sticking out your tongue.

Tiny tongue

Found that good, professional lighting for once

You really like to play with spoons. 

You joined Daddy and me on a quick trip to Wilmington, and we went for a morning walk that was rather chilly. I didn't have a hat for you, so fleecy bib had to do the trick. You only got a few weird stares from passersby...

Gnawing on a cucumber spear

This corgi dress is one of my favorites.

You have about 5 pacis, and you love to hold them. You never really took to them as pacis, but you very much enjoy snuggling them.

Another favorite dress.

We've been playing "Napkin" recently. It's very clever. I put a napkin (or burp cloth or some such) on your head, and you pull it off and we both laugh. Total crowd pleaser.

More good lighting

Our neighbor-friend gave Hallie this little lovey when she was born, and Hallie snuggles it during every sleep.

Look! Another bath!

You are a CHAMP at your weekly pictures, and I am very, very pleased with them every week! I could just smoosh you to pieces for your helpfulness.

36 weeks

37 weeks

38 weeks

9 months