Me and My Boys: Beckett is Nine Months!

Every one of these post titles ends in an exclamation point because every month has gone by so fast. Little Becks has now been out in the world longer than he was in my tummy...wow (for time going quickly and for how looong pregnancy is).

The Stats:

Head circumference: 46 cm - 75%
Weight: 20 lbs (feels like more) - 50%
Height: 29" - 75%

Hamilton, who spent his first year <25%

The Happenings:

He loves to eat. I am much more adventurous with him then I was with Hamilton. It also helps that Beckett gets upset anytime someone is eating and he is not, which is how he gets to sample more food. I have already been giving him bread regularly, trying to avoid another "bread is for ducks!" kid. Right now the Costco "hot dog and drink" $1.50 special fits us perfectly: Hamilton-hot dog; Beckett: bun; Kate: Diet Coke (although hoping to kick that habit...)
On a related note, he is wearing 12-18 month clothes!
Lest you think he is only ever begging for food, he has generously fed me one of his Gerber stars.
Like Hamilton, he also likes to develop ear infections surreptitiously. We discovered infections in both ears during his last well-baby visit. Fortunately, we were able to use different medication, so no icky diapers and food strikes this time around.
I love to watch him hold objects and study them. He especially loves phones, keys, and remotes.
He continues to smile easily.
He sleeps swaddled in one blanket while cuddling a second one over his face.
After a long day of wearing clothes, he loves being in just a diaper. As soon as the last article of clothing comes off, he is smiling, kicking, and laughing.
"Brother Bathtime" is also a highlight. He is splashing and kicking more, which only (unfortunately) encourages his brother to do the same. We're working on explaining that whole "double standard" thing to poor Hamilton...
Beckett lights up when Alex gets home, whether he sees or hears him first. Lately, he's been trying to steal more solo parent time by refusing to go to bed or getting up after only a couple hours. Last night, he joined me and Alex for dinner. Luckily, he's pretty cute, and we like some alone time with him too.
His naps are going well...and without the aid of a swing. He is using the green striped blanket Trav left behind...it's a sleep inducing miracle.
He is saying "mamama," and I am pretending that he means me when he says it. Although, I may not be imagining things, as he called "mama mama" to me when he was in the high chair watching me make him lunch.
As much as I hate to admit the possibility that I have another Daddy's boy on my hands, he is also saying "dadada."
He can clap! It's adorable. And he learned it all on his own...just suddenly started doing it one day.
When he is happy or excited about something, his hands and feet rotate around.
An upper tooth has broken through his gums.
No mobility happening as of yet, but a sitting baby is a great (easy) phase, so I'm not complaining. Unfortunately, though, his big brother knocks him down about 10 times a day.
Signs of his emerging "big boy" status: the bouncer, swing, and exercise mat are on their way out.