Dear William,

Today you turned nine months old. It has been a crazy month... after doing the army squirm for what seemed like forever, you decided to, in the space of about a week, start doing the following: pulling up to standing, walking along the furniture (and even switching from one to the other), crawling properly, dancing, and climbing the stairs. You're a bit much to keep up to, now... I've needed to start hitting the caffeine again. At first there were a lot of tumbles, but you've really figured out how to keep yourself from bumping your head; that is, just sitting down instead of letting go of the coffee table randomly.

You've also started playing peek a boo with us whenever we hand you a blankie to hide under. You totally surprised us with this as we hadn't really been trying to teach you to do it. I hadn't even really played peek a boo with you for quite awhile. One night you just had something in your hands and I guess it seemed like a good idea. It totally cracks me up and makes me smile, which makes you smile and laugh. Then you get all excited and start whipping the blankie up and down so fast I can't say "Where's William?" or "Peek a boo!".

In the past week, we've been taking you to swimming lessons. I'm not sure how you're enjoying that; you do love to splash around in the water, but man, do they ever dunk you under a lot. I hate seeing you coughing and sputtering and I hope you figure out to close your mouth soon.

We took you on your first camping trip this month, to Highwood group camp with Grandma and Grandpa Gussman. Grandma spoiled you rotten and gave you watermelon and stained your Canada Day shirt before I even had a chance to take a picture of you in it. She also gave you popsicles, despite my objections that you didn't need all that sugar. She just waited until I was having a nap and gave it to you anyways. You know who to blame for your future cavities, right?

Not that you have any teeth yet or anything.

I was right about how much more fun it is now that you're crawling. You're so much more independent, and you seem so much happier now that you can get where you want to be. I love watching your fat little diaper bum wiggle as you crawl away from me to explore your surroundings... and I love the big smile you always give me as you start crawling back to me.

Love, Mom