Look Ma, No Hands

The biggest thing happening around here is that Melita is now free standing. She is able to get up from a sitting position and can stand fairly easily for a few seconds before sitting down again. A few times she has also taken some steps, but I think it was only an effort to gain her balance and not actually walk. Nevertheless, walking is presumably right around the corner.

Talking is following closely. She says MaMa and DaDa to the right person every now and again. And Reagan swears the other morning when they were feeding her fish, she pointed and said "ish!" I haven't witnessed that one yet, but I will vouch that she can be heard babbling through out most of the day while she is playing.

Last weekend it was warm enough to inflate her swimming pool and she enjoyed the first of many lazy afternoons splashing in the water. I think that was one of the funnest weekends we have had around here to date. I can't wait to do it again this weekend. I think she also understood the difference between playing in the tub and playing outside in the water. Swimming lessons are definite must.

Melita and Bungy are the best playmates and we actually are starting to wonder if Melita thinks she's a dog or Bungy thinks he's a baby. At any rate, most of today was spent in the living room with those two rolling around on the floor, sharing snacks and licking each other. It's too cute.

Lastly, I just can't believe how quickly Melita is growing into a little girl. She is definitely not a baby anymore. Her independance gets stronger every day and I am aware at how fast she is growing. If I am this whiney and she's not even one, can you imagine what a blubbering fool I'll be when she starts pre-school in August? Waaaa!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Melita is on the tail end of a week long cold. It's nothing to worry about-just a snotty nose and a slight cough-and the doctor gave us some medicine to help her sleep at night. Still, as minor as it was, it was a bear to get through. I am glad it is almost over.

Last week, Melita had her 9 month check-up. It was not exciting. She weighs 20 lbs. However, when I am carrying her it feels like a lot more. And her head is still growing 17 3/4 inches. It's her height/length that is of concern: 29 inches!!! This kid might end up taller than Reagan and I both. We both have 6 footers in our families so it is a possibility. Already, people have been commenting on how funny it is when I am carrying her as she is as long as my torso. Geez louise. I can't wait to see how this unfolds.

As of late Melita's favorite thing to do is give kisses which sometimes turn into bites. But mostly it's kisses. It's super sweet and probably one of the main reasons that Reagan is a little under the weather today.

Month Nine

The Chunns had an exciting February. Melita drove through 4 new states: Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Our final destination was Gulf Breeze, Florida to visit Andre and Crystal for a much needed vacation. They were great and generous hosts and we can't wait to do it again. Melita was a great traveling baby and handled being stuck in her car seat for 11 hours like a champ. One thing she hated though was having to wear a life jacket when we went out on Andre's boat. But when she got to take her life jacket off and go for a walk in the sand she was happy once again. We wished it would have been warmer so we could have gone swimming in the gulf.

As we head into the month of March, Melita is learning lots of new tricks. She can clap her hands not only when she is excited but also to imitate me doing Patty Cake. She also giggles like crazy the whole time. She's still not walking, but instead she is climbing on everything. Twice she has been able to get off of the chaise lounge by flipping over onto her stomach and sliding down feet first. She is stringing together a whole bunch of vowels and has been saying MaMa and DaDa indiscriminately. She has also taken a liking to singing. It's pretty cute.

Happy Nine Months Melita Moo!