Nolan is WALKING!!!

Yes, that's right! Nolan is walking at 9.5 months! Holy cow. About a week ago, Nolan started to let go of what he was holding onto and try to walk into our arms. At first he would just kind of step, step, tumble, and it felt more like a delayed fall than a walk. But just a few days ago, it turned into real steps where he made it into our arms without tumbling down! It is so fun to watch him. Nolan gets the biggest smile on his face after he successfully takes a couple steps. Sometimes he gets a grin on his face right before he walks because he knows what he is about to accomplish. The most he has done so far is five steps. And of course, it is completely on his terms. He won't walk when you want him to or when you're hoping he will. It mostly happens when you aren't watching him like a hawk. Jason and I are so proud of him (and he is of himself, as he should be!)

Here's a video of him walking today.

I never posted Nolan's 9 month stats from the doctor. He is 21 lbs, 0 oz (57%), and 28 3/4" (67%). He is a growing boy!! He is quickly growing out of his 9 month (6-12 month for some brands) sized clothes, and getting into the 12 month (12-18 month for some brands) sized clothes.

Jason and I played professional photographers (ha!) for Nolan's 9 month photos. Here are a few of our favorites. We'll be taking him back to Judd Sather (studiojphoto.com) for his 1 year photos.

9 Months Old

Yesterday was a special day for all of us; It was Jason's and my 2nd anniversary and it was Nolan's 9 month birthday. I can't believe we've been married two years! Time has flown by. I also can't believe that in three short months Nolan will be one year old! Time needs to slow down!

Nolan has been his busy little self. Back in June he started standing up and walking with some walking toys. He also is now cruising around furniture and moving from furniture to furniture. I don't think it will be too long before he is walking!

Nolan absolutely LOVES Keegan, but Keegan has mixed emotions. Keegan kind of freaks out when Nolan starts crawling right for him, but then will lick Nolan if Nolan has food on him. I've been teaching Nolan how to pet Keegan gently. He is catching on to it! He doesn't grab handfuls of Keegan's fur anymore.

Last weekend Jason, Nolan, and I went to Chicago. We had tons of fun going out to eat, walking around the city, taking a water taxi to the Shedd Aquarium, seeing the penguins, dolphins, beluga whales, and fish there, walking around Navy Pier, and meeting up with Heather, Phil, and Grayson! It was a very busy, busy weekend, but Nolan did great. He was a happy little guy and slept pretty well. He also enjoyed petting Grayson. I could see that he really is learning how to be gentle.

Nolan also understands the word "no", but definitely tests it out.The little stinker. It's so cute though and hard not to laugh or smile at him, but I don't want him to think that the word "no" is a game. Nolan knows he is not supposed to play with cords or with Keegan's toys. He will grab them and look at me. I'll say no and shake my head and he will put it down. Then, of course, he will pick it back up again and smile at me, I'll say no and he'll put it down. Then I'll redirect him to something else before it does become a game. Sometimes he'll be crawling for something and I'll say no and he won't pick it up.

Since Nolan became mobile he hasn't been very interested in books. However, when I can get him to read books he really likes looking at the books that include textures. He reaches his hand out to touch the soft/fuzzy/scratchy/etc texture on the pages. We've been reading a lot of those books lately.

This coming Friday is Nolan's 9 month appointment. I'm excited to see how tall he is and how much he weighs, but not excited for his shots. I will update this weekend with what his stats are. For now, here is a Nolan photo bomb!

Early this summer, first time walking with a toy

He loves walking with this toy he got from Grandma and Grandpa McCabe

Nolan and Keegan, checking out the world together

Waiting for Dada to get home

Nolan and Abigail checking out the world together

Loving the swing at Laurie and Nick's house!

Posing with my favorite, penguins, at the Shedd

Nolan's first carousel ride (at Navy Pier)

Nolan and Grayson checking each other out

They are bffs!

9 months old! Nolan would NOT sit still! He kept trying to crawl off the chair or else stand up, turn around, and try to grab the curtains. Silly guy!