Clara is 9 months old today!
Obviously, she’s pretty excited about it… and we are too!
Clara was definitley my most difficult pregnancy (none of them were really that bad, but hers was the worst). I was nauseous all day long at the beginning, I was SOOOOO tired all the time, I slept horribly, I gained a ton of weight, had super restless legs and lots of back pain, etc. etc.
I joked with Dave that she would be our easiest baby since her pregnancy was the most challenging for me… now, 9 months later, I can say she truly has been our easiest (and happiest) baby, BY FAR!
This child smiles most of her waking hours, and she is SO content. She rarely ever makes a noise except when she is very excited, hurt, or scared.
She just started waving (it’s very cute!) and I told a friend of mine that I should take Clara to nursing homes and hospitals and let her smile and wave at everyone. Think how happy she would make those people!
As you can probably see from the pictures above, her top 2 teeth came in this month! 🙂
Along with her new waving skill, she now claps, says “da da”, and plays peek-a-boo like a pro. She also learned how to crawl REALLY quickly, which means we are constantly shutting bathroom doors, blocking off stairs, and trying to keep small games pieces and toys off the floor (Pearler Beads and marbles are my current nemesis!)
We finally started putting her in nursery at church (I wanted to wait until she could sit up well) and she only shed a couple of tears.
We’ve also left her with both sets of our parents for a few hours without issues — I can see the light at the end of the baby freedom tunnel!
As if I didn’t already have enough positive things to say about this little lady, I’m thrilled to report that she is eating well too — much better than any of my other babies ate at 9 months.
She wolfs down black beans, sweet potato chunks, banana chunks, cheese, eggs, pasta, prunes, strawberries, mashed potatoes, applesauce, Cheerios, and more — grunting eagerly if I don’t hand her the fork quickly enough (yes, she insists on eating with a fork!)
She certainly makes being a mother of 4 young children feel much easier than I ever imagined it would feel — let’s just hope I can say the same thing in 15 years!
Sweet Clara Jo, we’re sure glad you’re ours!
Teresa johnson says
It’s so wonderful when you have a happy and content baby! She’s so cute and looks extremely happy. So happy for you and your sweet family!
Andrea says
thanks Teresa — she’s a sweetie, that’s for sure!
Jamie says
I love her sweet smile. I think she would make so many people happy if you decide to walk the halls at the nursing home. 🙂 My 4th is super easy going also. Happy 9mths Miss Clara!
Andrea says
yay — so glad you got an easy-going baby too 🙂
Linda says
How could I not comment on this sweetie?! She is precious! Such a cutie. Happy 9 months Clara Jo!
Andrea says
Thanks Linda — she’s a cutie!
Martha Lawson says
What a precious little girl!
Kate says
She is definitely a cutie! I’m currently 32 weeks pregnant with my first – maybe all of my nausea/swelling/restless legs will pay off in an easy baby too!
Andrea says
oh wow — congrats Kate!
And honestly, even if you don’t get an “easy baby”, all the nausea, swelling, and restless legs will STILL pay off! I promise!
One of the benefits of it being your first baby is that you really don’t know if he/she is “easy” or not as you have nothing to compare it too 🙂
It will be hard, and tiring, and horrible at times, but amazing and wonderful the rest of the time. Best wishes to you and your growing family!
JJ says
Awe, Happy 9 Months, Clara Jo!!! She is adorable!!! I think the youngest of many siblings has 9 lives like a cat. I’ll never forget finding my baby with a Lego arm in his mouth. So glad she has been your easiest!!!
Andrea says
haha — you’re probably right. Just today, Simon was dragging her across the floor by her feet because “she liked it”. In his defense, she was smiling and laughing while he did it 🙂
JoAnn C. says
Such beauty! Thanks, Andrea for sharing. Happy 9 months Clara Jo!
Lynn Grable says
She is adorable Andrea! They all look so much alike! 🙂 Where does the time go?
Andrea says
at times they all look alike, and then there are times when I think they all look SO different! They are definitely all related though 🙂
Amy says
Seriously, I think it would be impossible to be in a bad mood after seeing that sweet smile!!
Andrea says
It is — she makes everyone else as happy as she is when she flashes her toothy grin!
Erika says
I said the exact same thing – difficult pregnancy, easy baby! In my case, it’s TWO easy babies, but feels challenging when they both need me at the same time! When it’s one-on-one for me, it’s a dream!
Clara Jo looks so happy and I’m glad to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel. I’m two months in, and keep repeating “it will get easier, it will get easier” when things feel extra hard. Watching your children grow through your posts makes me excited for what’s coming with my boys!
Happy 9 months, Clara!
Andrea says
oh yes, definitely challenging in the beginning — BUT, then the older 3 will magically be able to play by themselves, entertain themselves, get their shoes on and go outside by themselves, and you’ll be left inside to cuddle the baby in peace and quiet!
It will get better and easier and more enjoyable — most definitely! You’ll have so much fun watching them play together!!!