Things a 9 month old "needs" a.k.a. things that help you, the mother of a 9 month old, retain SOME sanity.

Some of C's favorite activities include: crawling, pulling up on anything, eating paper, eating anything, touching everything. He never. stops. moving. Therefore, I never. stop. moving. Anything that makes my day to day life easier is welcomed with open arms plus streamers, balloons, and banners. We have approximately 9-10 hours during the day to occupy. Meaning we need ACTIVITIES. Lights, sounds, anything annoying: he loves. I know virtually nothing about 9 month olds. But we're into week 2 of it so I'm becoming somewhat of a professional. Here are things we love in our house. Some are loved by C, some are more for my well-being, all are hated by Milo.

1. Ministar Shoes. After about the 3rd pair of ordinary baby shoes that I would spend 15 minutes struggling to get on C's little feet into while I'm sweating and cursing I got smart. My sister in law bought C a pair these lovlies at my baby shower which, at the time, I thought "It's going to be like 5 years before he'll need these things" WRONG. 9 months later they are awesomesauce. He also has a pair of brown fuzzy boots that keep his little sausage toes nice and toasty. They actually stay ON his feet which is a marvelous thing. However, HEAR ME AND HEAR ME WELL: C has a pair of Tom's shoes and he WILL wear them. He'll wear them until the toes are worn and the velcro no longer velcros.

2. Balls. General, yes. And get your mind out the gutter during this one. He has a big orange ball he loves, a medium sized Cardinal ball he loves and some smaller ones he also loves. Moral of the story: C loves balls. Ok I'm done.

3. Munchkin Snack Catcher. I know these are like, old news but whatev they rock. It's like a little mission for him to get his snack out. On the down side, about 3/4 of the snack fly out and usually onto the floor. Meh you pick and choose your battles.
4. Stuffed animal. His favorite is a little cow named Bertha that has a bell hanging from her neck. His goal in life is currently to rip the bell from her neck. It takes at least 5 minutes for him to try and fail. Then he swings Bertha around for awhile, climbs on her, pushes her face in the ground. It's like he's a little puppy and Bertha is his puppy friend.

5. SNACKS. Ok, I know some of you are like hyper-anti-snacks until your child is like 10 years old. I'm not. I'm pro anything that makes my child happy and food makes him very VERY happy. Here are some things he currently eats/enjoys: puffs, cheerios, goldfish, graham crackers, any cracker, veggies, bananas, mini weinies (yes you read correct. We had some last night and cut them up and he like FREAKED OUT he was so happy), chicken nuggets, etc. Basically, if we eat it, I cut it up and give him some. Pictured below are some cinnamon maple crack cocaine puffs. C literally craps himself out of sheer bliss when he gets these. We use them sparingly or anytime I'm in a store with him and he's about to LOSE IT (which is more often than not). Moral of this story: don't be scared, feed your child. They won't choke (ok they may, but most things dissolve super fast. Or cut things up super small. NBD. Life goes on.)


6. Anything that moves when pushed. He likes to walk and push things, crawl and push things. He crawls and pushes a ball, then laughs and crawls after it, bumps it again and the cycle continues. This also lasts approximately 5 minutes.

7. Mickey Mouse. Oh sweet goodness. I don't know what it is about this tiny little mouse but C DIES for him. His favorite part of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is the first 30 seconds when Mickey just walks up a hill and starts talking. C starts smiling and laughing and bouncing up and down. It's pretty much the best thing ever. Anyway, Mickey stands the test of time. There's just something about that horrible, squeaky voice. I don't really get it but there are worse characters on the show he could love. Like that idiot Clarabelle cow I just want to PUNCH HER IN HER STUPID COW FACE. excuse me.

8. Peek-a-boo. This has been a favorite for several months. He loves it when I do it or when I cover his face and do it. We pop out from behind walls. He lurves him some peek-a-boo. So simple, so fun for a 9 month old.

9. Ceiling fans. My parents actually discovered this. Whenever we walk from his room to our room to the living room he just looks straight up and stares at the fan. It's not even moving. So when I'm changing his diaper or getting him dressed and he's arching his back and LITERALLY YELLING at me, I make the fan go and he's all "ooo I'm so happy for the next 5 seconds and then I'm going to yell again".

10. Any Lee Child book featuring Jack Reacher. Ok this is not for C. And I really don't have time to read, but I make time for Reacher. And you will too. If you watched 24 and fell in love with Jack Bauer (how could you not?) you will also fall in love with Reacher. He's like Jack Bauer but in book form. Just read it.

That's it for now. I'll give you an updated list when Christmas is over and he's balls to the wall out of his mind excited with his new lights and annoying sounds. Can't wait for our house to be exploding with new toys. Yaaay.
Hope some of these help to keep your sanity!!