The Beautiful Mess: 40/41 weeks

As hard as I try, some weeks the blog posts just don't come together. Last week was one of those weeks....I'm not even really sure how the week completely slipped away from me, but such is life these days with an active 9 month old! We did have Cooper's 9 month appointment last week; I'll post the stats from that below. He did "well" with the visit. Since it was a no shots visit I thought we'd be great! Carrington came along with us to this one and when the dr was checking him out he just screamed! I think it was a combination of "who is this stranger poking me" and "WHY do I have to lay down...I want to MOVE!" Completely normal response for his age, I just figured we'd have no tears since there were no shots....man, his next appointment (for his 1 yr check-up {gasp!} where did the time go!?!?!) might just be terrible! they will give him several shots AND do some lab work....I think Carrington will have to take off that day and come with us again!
Last weekend my mom and I went to the Farmer's Market and got LOTS of yummy, fresh, veggies and fruits for Cooper! We then spend the rest of the day on Saturday cooking it all up and freezing everything. It's nice to have a stocked freezer and to know that, even if Carrington and I are scrounging to put something together for dinner, Cooper will be eating well. That's what is important.
This week we have been home most of the week and it's been nice to be able to keep Coop on a schedule of sorts.

at 40 and 41 weeks Cooper:

weighed 18 pounds 5 ounces at his 9 month check up (25th percentile). the dr. wants me to start giving him less milk, and more solids to try and get him to bulk up a little more....personally, I like his size! :)
is 29 inches tall (75th percentile)
Has discovered the toilet...the flush handle one week and the lid (and how to lift it) the next week! yikes, we are in trouble!
has found his SQUEAL octave! oh my gosh, this boy has some lungs! He's also recently been squealing when he's angry or unhappy with the situation
Has been throwing more tantrums...I thought that was something that would come later?!?! If he doesn't like something, he will let you know!
is a SILLY boy! he loves to play peek-a-boo with me under the blanket! I will hide under a blanket and he will crawl around it lifting the edge until he finds my face. the cutest thing is when he lifts the edge of the blanket up really high and leans down to look under it! when I pop out and say "boo!" he squeals, laughs, and lunges at me in excitement! He has also figure out how to blow "zerbets" (or raspberries, or whatever you call blowing air on skin) on my cheek or arm or belly, or wherever!
has 2 teeth poking through on the bottom now
bit me for the first time while nursing....not a fun experience! Needless to say, he was done nursing at that moment!
is doing REALLY well with going to sleep on his own, in his crib! At night we do dinner, bath, jammies, a little nursing, then he goes in his crib and he puts himself to sleep! some nights he doesn't make a peep, other nights he cries for a couple minutes then lies down and goes to sleep! I love that putting him to bed doesn't take 30-45 minutes of my evening anymore! He's also doing this with his naps...it's so nice!
Naps for about 2 hours in the morning and then again for at least an hour in the afternoon. I think he's either feeling a little under the weather, growing, or just plain ol tired from playing so much because he's been sleeping A LOT the last couple days! yesterday he took a 3 HOUR nap in the morning and then a 2 hour nap in the afternoon! AND was in bed at 9?!?! sheesh!
LOVES to walk around! he will hold our hands and walk like a champ now. He's also been known to get really excited about something and take a couple/few steps on his own! He has also been known to squat and stand up without any support at all!
has tried white potatoes and plums (not together) and likes both....especially the plums! I'm definitely starting to see that he has a preference for fruits over veggies, but he will eat the veggies too.
is still wearing a lot of his 6 month clothes, although some of them are starting to get too short and tight in the crotch area. some 9 month clothes are still a little roomy on him but he can wear them.