Nine months!

So Adel has officially spent as much time on the outside as on the inside! She's growing fast and has been up to quite a lot in her ninth month.

Nickname
Apparently, the nickname "Adi" stuck, because within the past couple of weeks I have heard other people referring to her that way. I am so not one of those people who shorten their kids' names- especially to an "eee" (i, ie, y) ending. Hillel and I are called by our full names, too. So little Adi will be the first one. I love the way it sounds, so I don't mind that it caught on.

Funny Habit
When Adel is ready to fall asleep, she turns to her side, arches her back, and throws her head back.

Emotional Development
She doesn't have fear of strangers, and she doesn't cry when I leave the room, but if she wants me to stay, she'd whimper.
She began to have fears! Just this week we went to the library. Just as we entered the elevator, her eyes got big with fear, the pout appeared, and Adel began to wail. I had no idea what happened. Zusha said, "Adi is scared that we're going to the basement. Noooo, Adi. We're going to the second floor! Don't be scared!" As soon as we exited, life was peachy. On our way out we got into the elevator again and the teary show went on once more. Silly Adi. We're not going to the basement! I think it might have something to do with the mirrored ceiling and yellowish lighting of the elevator, but I can't be sure.


Fun Milestone
"OMG!! OMG!! A ride!!!"

Adel went on a ride for the first time by herself.

She really enjoyed it! I mean REALLY.


And this is how she feels about the ride being over:


Fine Motor Skills
Just last week, I noticed Adel passing a rubber ring from one hand to the other. She wasn't able to do that before. Until just recently, her hands worked in sync. When she'd pick up an object, both her little fists closed tightly. If she'd reach out to me with one hand while holding something in the other, the other palm would open as well and the toy would drop. But now she was pulling the toy that hangs on her crib so she could look under it- and was passing the ring from one hand to the other to see how she could pull it farther.

Gross Motor Skills
Adel is trying to pull to a stand. She is far from it, but attempts to do so whenever I take her hands while she is sitting.

And she sits up on her own! I first noticed her trying to reach for my phone while I was on the bed next to her. Next thing I know, she over-reached and sat up! We tried it a few more times, and each time, Adi reached, reached, then sat!
Here is living proof. At about 22 seconds, after I tell Adel, "Good job" you can see the proud look on her little face.

And of course, no photo shoot is ever complete without a meltdown photo!