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the 9 month scare

4:07 pm CDT March 26, 2009
Dear Adam,
Well, kiddo, you gave us quite a scare at your 9 month doctor's appointment. After checking out all of your stats -- you weigh 19 lbs 3 oz (25 - 50%) and are 29" long (75%) -- Dr. Colton was checking out the rest of your body when he noticed a clicking sound in your left hip. He said it was probably nothing but that we would need to have it x-rayed within the next week or so to rule out hip dysplasia. I don't know who hears that kind of information and is actually able to wait a "week or so" before knowing the results, but we took you to the hospital the very next day to get your x-ray (if it hadn't already been 5:00, we would've gone that day). You were such a brave boy, and the technicians both commented about how good (and cute) you were. About an hour later, Dr. Colton called with good news -- your results came back perfectly normal. He said that the clicking probably just means that you'll be flexible and that the only thing we have to worry about is the fact that you'll probably be able to do some pretty cool party tricks as a result. Said tricks will likely give us high blood pressure at some point, but for now, we're completely and utterly relieved.
Speaking of cool party tricks, you've added a lot to your repertoire as of late. You are officially crawling! It's kind of a scooting/hopping sort of crawl, but it most definitely counts as a crawl. In fact, we kind of like that you've put your own little creative spin on the typical (more boring) crawling technique. You can also move from your tummy to a sitting position, and you can even pull yourself up to stand (though we still prefer to spot you for this trick). You don't dance on your own yet, but you love it when we sing and dance with you. You especially enjoy the "Get up and dance, Adam" song that we learned from your school. You give us a big gum smile every time we start to sing it to you. You also love to babble and bang things together (even though you flinch and blink your eyes with every bang). You're a big fan of the "Where's Adam/Mommy/Daddy" game (the beginner's version of peek-a-boo) and of mimicking us when we make a "cluck" sound with our tongues on the roofs of our mouths. I think you might even be louder than me, but Daddy still has us both beat.
You've tried a lot of new foods lately, as we're working on transitioning you to "real" food. You've tried cheese, bananas, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, peaches and grapes, all of which you seemed to enjoy (except, maybe, the cottage cheese). My goal is to start feeding you a little bit of everything we're eating ... within reason (no spicy Mexican food yet -- sorry). You're getting better and better with your sippy cup and have even started drinking water out of a regular cup (with some assistance), and you absolutely love it!
Adam, having you has finally given me an excuse to drive the car that I've wanted since I was 16 years old -- a station wagon. I know you're going to look back on this and think, "My mom wanted a station wagon when she was 16? OMG, she is sooooo laaaaaaame." But I assure you -- I was, in fact, a relatively cool kid. I just happened to like family-sized sedans. Big deal. ANYWAY -- yes, I am a mom now and I officially drive a mom car. A station wagon. But it's not just ANY station wagon. It's a Subaru Outback, which is technically a "sports wagon," and for some reason, that makes me feel cooler. Not many people will say that owning a station wagon makes them feel cool, but I can honestly say that I feel cooler now than I ever have in my life -- and that is entirely due to the fact that I have you and your daddy and have never been so satisfied with my life or so comfortable in my own skin.
I love you,
Mamamama