Nine months old, Julian. How can it be? Some days seem to go slowly, but here we are, 9 months later. Here's what you've been up to:

You've been crawling around the house on your belly for about two months now. You are fast and efficient with your technique, and can spot a Lego from a mile away. Just when I thought you may never crawl on your hands and knees, you began rocking on all fours this week.

You have two bottom teeth and are working on two on top. They are just poking through the surface.

Finally, you are embracing solid foods. Your favorite things are finger foods such as Cheerios, corn, peas, and rice, but you also have started eating foods from a (once blacklisted) spoon. If it's not coming fast enough, either on your tray or via spoon, you let me know. Hungry boy!

You still are not sleeping through the night, but at least you only wake up to nurse one time a night. This is an improvement!

All in all, you are a great napper. When you are ready to go to sleep, you hunker down in your crib with your blankie and go to sleep. Sometimes I play your music box for you, but mostly you fall asleep quickly on your own.

You love your thumb. Suck, suck, suck.

Still wary of strangers, try as they might, you rarely crack a smile for those you aren't familiar with.

Your favorite toys are those that you shouldn't be playing with in the first place. Legos. Remotes. Keys. Various "big brother" toys. If you have to play with baby toys, you can be pacified with your stacking cups. Those never get old, apparently.

You have the sweetest little voice when you decide to jabber. "ba ba ba" and "ma ma ma" and "da da da. Your favorite time to talk is in the morning at the breakfast table. You try to get the attention of big brothers, while you all eat cereal.

Finally, your stats as of 10/10/2012 are: 30 inches long (98%), 17.5 lbs (20%).