I remember at G’s 9-month checkup, our pediatrician told me, “These next three months are about keeping him alive.” I gave him a courtesy chuckle, but it was only a few weeks later that I really understood what he meant. Our baby turned into a TORNADO in these last few months: curious about everything, mobile enough to investigate, and inexperienced enough to have absolutely no fear.
The first few of these items, therefore, are about monitoring baby and securing his environment.
Video monitor: Of course we have used this off and on since birth, but it didn’t really become a necessity until recently. G is pretty agile and I live in fear of the day he is able to climb out of his crib, so I now leave it on whenever he is sleeping (or supposed to be sleeping). I know it’s a little early to be worrying about this, but the visual reassurance that he is alive and where he should be is very comforting. Our monitor was described by one of its reviewers as “the Honda of video monitors,” and I would agree with that description. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some of the fancier monitors, but it gets the job done.
was described by one of its reviewers as “the Honda of video monitors,” and I would agree with that description. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some of the fancier monitors, but it gets the job done.Car mirror: Really this has been essential since day one, but in recent months I have learned that when G is too quiet, he might be up to mischief (e.g. the mirror was crooked one day and when I got to my destination, I saw that he had been eating a paperback book cover. Actually eating it.).
Baby proofing gear: I think I’m the only person I know that is in the pro-babyproofing camp. I’ve tried to be all French about it, but with this kid it just isn’t happening. Besides our baby gates, we’ve locked most of our cabinets and drawers (except one or two baby-safe ones for G to play in) and secured heavy furniture to the walls. We also used rug grip on the rugs to prevent tripping.
on the rugs to prevent tripping.Decorative mobile: I wrote previously about the musical mobile we used to keep over the crib. Recently we have relied more on a decorative mobile above the changing table to keep the little wiggle worm still during diaper changes.
Convertible car seat: I don’t know why our infant car seat didn’t make a previous list (we had the Chicco Key Fit in Limonata), but at 10 months we switched G to his big boy car seat. I researched both pretty heavily, not just for safety but also for toxicity and fit for our car. We ended up with the Diono Radian RXT in Storm. This post provides a very comprehensive review. G rides quite happily in it. Our biggest complaint is how heavy it is, which makes it very difficult to lug around in an airport.
Kid food: We can add this to my growing list of “stuff I said I’d never do/buy before I became a parent but totally do/buy now that I’m actually a parent.” In general, G eats what we eat. But he tried some Happy Puffs at a friend’s house one day and became instantly hooked. We then bought some for the airplane ride to Hawaii, and now I keep them in my diaper bag for super duper emergencies. He seems equally happy with Cheerios, however, so we may convert to those once we are out of the puffs. I also bought some Healthy Times Biscuits for teething, but he can take or leave those.
Carrier: Despite a short stroller phase when G was asserting his wiggly independence, we continue to use our carriers daily. I am curious about a sling for a side/hip carry, but I worry that it’s too late at this point. Does anyone have experience carrying a toddler in a sling?
Music: We were recently introduced to Caspar Babypants (a Seattle children’s favorite!) and it was an instant hit. We have a handful of other children’s CD’s (e.g. Baby Einstein, Disney lullabies) that we mainly listen to in the car.
(a Seattle children’s favorite!) and it was an instant hit. We have a handful of other children’s CD’s (e.g. Baby Einstein, Disney lullabies) that we mainly listen to in the car.Toothbrush/toothpaste: G was almost 9 months old when he cut his first tooth. Soon after, we worked brushing his teeth into his routine. He loves his green sprouts Silicone Baby Toothbrush and baby toothpaste.
and 
Toys: Favorite toys during this period include his ring stacker, the Pewi Ybike (this is the only walker-type thing he has), and this drum set (thanks S!).
, the 
(this is the only walker-type thing he has), and this 
(thanks S!).Note: This post is NOT sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links to my amazon store. Thank you for supporting this blog!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree that after babies start crawling and standing, they become a tornado!!! S active.
We just came back from two weeks in Hawaii, it was great although challenging with a 10 months old because she hates the car seat and the stroller! I guess because nowadays she wants to be free to move herself all the time! 😉
I put 24lb Olivia in a ring sling for hip carries even now. It’s only for short like housework, prepping dinner or watering plants. You just have to get double layer fabric, I used single linen until around 10mos and now use double linen Sakura bloom brand and love it. The ergo is still our workhorse carrier