Austin is 9 months old!

Last week I thought a cold had landed on Austin and caused him a runny nose. On Thursday night, I was convinced it lead to an ear infection. Austin was up crying throughout the night and just wasn't comfortable. I gave him some Tylenol and Motrin but that just didn't cut it. I couldn't wait for his 9 month well (sick) baby exam the following morning because I was just sure that he had an ear infection. So Friday morning finally comes and I'm in the exam room taking off Austin's onesie when what do I see? Tooth #5 erupting on his upper, swollen gums. Poor guy was uncomfortable all night and I'm just blissfully ignorant to his painful, throbbing mouth just leaving the orajel in the medicine cabinet. Whoops! Austin made up for it the following night though. I loaded up his gums with some Nighttime super duper orajel formula and then tried to breastfeed him just before bed. THAT was a mistake. Little guy was too numb to figure out what he was doing and it was just a bit excruciating for me. PSA - Do NOT administer Orajel prior to nursing a baby. After nursing. Always, Always, Always After Nursing. Long story short - Austin's ears looked great. His might have had a cold or he may have just had the runny nose that you get with teething although they say that really isn't a teething symptom.

Austin's 9 month Stats:

Height: 27 1/4" - 20%

Weight: 17lbs 1.2oz - 7% Yes, at his weight we have to count the .2 ounces ;)

Head: 45.5cm - 55%

The pediatrician (and it was a different once from his 6 month) wasn't concerned about his weight either although he encouraged me to let him have tastes of things like mac n'cheese, mashed potatoes and ice cream. Austin had two pokes at this visit. One was for his iron levels which came out great and the other was a flu shot. He did great for both and only mildly complained about being held down. He was quickly soothed when I let him gnaw on the paper that contained his stats.

So Austin is doing good. He is almost crawling. He has forward motion and gets up on his knees, but it's not very pretty! I think he'll get it down here in the next week or two. He has just about 5 teeth. He eats like a champ. Loves to drool, never spits up (unless its a really inconvenient time to mess up my clothes). LOVES his brothers. Sleeps like a dog in his crib and not-so-great in the car. His all time favorite thing to do is suck his thumb while being held.

I guess that is about all for now, I'll add Jacob and Brody's 9 month stats tomorrow!

PS - Mark is doing well! His first night in the hospital was rough but they were able to get his pain managed and released him the next day. He has a slow recovery ahead of him, but so far so good.