Hannah is nine months old today! When I was pregnant, I remember reading about the concept of "nine in, nine out" meaning that a baby gestates inside the womb for nine months, and should be held or carried for the nine months after birth. (And beyond, of course, but in particular for the first nine months.) I have made it a point to carry her or have her on me in a wrap, sling, or carrier since she was born. In the beginning I struggled with people wanting to hold her, then setting her down when they were done holding her. (Why didn't they just give her back to me??) I remember even at one potluck a friend was holding her, then put her down and said, "So and so told me to put her down." Well, that person is not her mother, I am! So I just held her myself, for the most part. My parents have held her a lot, too, but it's mostly just been me holding her. How lucky am I! The idea behind this, as I understand it, is to hold them close and give them all the security and touch they need, and when they are ready, they will be more independent.
Hannah must have known that the nine month mark was a time to become more independent, because JUST THIS WEEK she has shown many signs of being independent! She even crawls into another room, out of my line of vision! I mean, with me out of her line of vision. Up until this week, when I needed to go to the bathroom, typically I would plop her down on the floor while I went, then scoop her back up when I was done. Sometimes I would even hold her then, but mostly not after the first three months. She would frequently fuss when I set her down, and I would talk to her and pick her back up as soon as I could. Just the other day, she just crawled away! It was so funny to see! Later that day, she was playing not too far from the bathroom, and I just casually went to the bathroom without moving her. It was so nice! Honestly, for the first hour or so, it was so strange to have her be so independent. I didn't even recognize her. But then I embraced the transition and have been enjoying a little bit of time to get some things done. She still needs to be close, and spends a lot of time in the carrier, but she is definitely maturing in the area of being independent.
I feel so good about this! I am happy that her independence is something that she has matured into, and not something that I have forced onto her. I'm happy about how the last nine moths have gone!! And happy 9 month birthday, Hannah!
Hannah must have known that the nine month mark was a time to become more independent, because JUST THIS WEEK she has shown many signs of being independent! She even crawls into another room, out of my line of vision! I mean, with me out of her line of vision. Up until this week, when I needed to go to the bathroom, typically I would plop her down on the floor while I went, then scoop her back up when I was done. Sometimes I would even hold her then, but mostly not after the first three months. She would frequently fuss when I set her down, and I would talk to her and pick her back up as soon as I could. Just the other day, she just crawled away! It was so funny to see! Later that day, she was playing not too far from the bathroom, and I just casually went to the bathroom without moving her. It was so nice! Honestly, for the first hour or so, it was so strange to have her be so independent. I didn't even recognize her. But then I embraced the transition and have been enjoying a little bit of time to get some things done. She still needs to be close, and spends a lot of time in the carrier, but she is definitely maturing in the area of being independent.
I feel so good about this! I am happy that her independence is something that she has matured into, and not something that I have forced onto her. I'm happy about how the last nine moths have gone!! And happy 9 month birthday, Hannah!
(photo taken back in August)
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