The week in review

Big things happening this week. This is Christie posting, by the way. I'm loading pics, though, so I have to use M's name. Anyway, the big news: Willa's eyes are still fine and she received good marks at her 9-month checkup! The stats:

8.1 kg (17 lb, 13 oz.) - 25th percentile
69.85 cm (27.5 in) length - 25th percentile
45 cm (17.7 in) cranial circumference - 75th percentile (she has big brains, what can I say?)

The doctor was really pleased with her development - physically, vocally, and socially. She gave me the okay to begin weaning from breastfeeding, which is sort of bittersweet. There were many times, especially during the travel pump sessions, when I would've rather been doing other things, but overall it's been a nice experience and one I'm glad I was able to do given our challenges at Willa's birth.

I am REALLY looking forward to packing up the pump and traveling light once again on my work trips. Not having to worry about 3 liters (100 oz.) of milk spoiling due to flight delays...not having to pump in airport bathrooms...not getting mastitis for a third time...no more clogged ducts. But I'm sad because this means Willa is growing up.

That said, I gave her a first sip of whole milk tonight and she liked it. Yay! We'll start giving it to her more frequently and slowly replace nursing sessions. She's eating well, still, and as you'll see below, was using the mesh thingie to enjoy some frozen pureed cherries to soothe the teething. She also had some hummus, so you'll see some hummus-mustache pictures followed by some first sips of milk photos.

Enjoy. We're off to celebrate with friends - one just finished taking the NY Bar exam; Daddy has a work dinner tonight so Willa and I are partying without him.

The lighting is messed up in the first picture but you'll forgive me, right?