9 Months Old!

Hard to believe that our little 'un is 3/4 of the way to a year! She looks like a little pixie baby to us (she looks bigger in pictures than she is in real life!), but she is beginning to act very grown up (well...grown up for a 9-month-old).
Hannah is really working hard at talking. She will often say, "Hi Grandpa" ("eye ga-gah") when she sees Grandpa, and it is obvious that it is intentional (Hannah is a BIG fan of Grandpa Chuck!). A few days ago she began saying "Ma-ma" very clearly as well - usually over and over and over when things aren't going her way. =) We're pretty sure that she is also trying to say Grandma, hello, bye, Daniel, cup, and a few other words as well. She seems to really want to communicate with us. If you talk directly to her (or if she thinks you are talking to her), she will carry on a conversation with you, babbling on very seriously about who-knows-what! She also loves to "talk" on the phone. If she sees someone on the phone, she will put her hand to her ear, say "hello," and start babbling away. It's pretty cute if I do say so. =)

She's also very interested in the sign language that we do with her (mostly related to mealtimes - "please, more, all done," etc.). Usually she just grins at me when I make the signs, but a few days ago she started consistently making the sign for "all done" when she doesn't want any more food.

Hannah took her second trip around the world during the past month. She wasn't crazy about being confined for so long, and it was a challenge to keep our active little girl content - especially on the 15-hour flight! She did pretty well overall though. Adjusting to the time change was a challenge as well, and it took her almost three weeks before she was sleeping through the night again. Mommy and Daddy aren't really looking forward to going through that again when we return to India in a few weeks!
Hannah is pulling up very well now, and even starting to cruise a little. There have been a few times when we've caught her standing alone for a second or two at a time. She doesn't even seem to realize she's doing it. She loves being with her big sister and brother, and wants so much to keep up with them that I don't think she will wait too long before starting to walk!
Hannah is eating lots of different fruits and veggies now. She's really not a big fan of baby food in general, but she tolerates it. I always know she's done or not happy with what's being offered when she scrunches up her face at me and turns away. =) She much prefers our food, and she's thrilled whenever I give her some of whatever we're eating. She also loves Cheerios and baby puffs. Of course, her latest favorite delicacy is grass. I've had to pull many blades of grass out of her mouth over the past few weeks!

She also loves to imitate what we do. If someone waves, she waves. If someone laughs, she laughs. If someone grunts, she grunts. She gets quite amused with herself. =)

Hannah has discovered baby dolls this month too. At my parents' house there are a few of those small baby dolls with the hard plastic heads. Hannah has a little soft baby doll, which she likes, but she loves these hard dolls. She'll spend quite a long time sitting there giving them kisses and chewing on their heads. =)

Hannah also has two more teeth than she had a month ago. It was quite the painful ordeal this time around, but her two top teeth have come in, and she is enjoying testing them out to see what they can do.

We love our little pixie baby and are having such fun watching her learn and grow. Nathan especially is enjoying some "extra" time with her and her siblings for a few weeks.