Baby,
My sweet, smiley baby girl. I have lost track of what happened and when. The past month and a half has been a blur of firsts and a million smiles. I can't tell you where one month ended and the other began. It was somewhere right in the middle that you hit this point where you just got it. You get life. You're here now and it's all totally making sense. It is so fun to watch you discover that things are happening around you.
I truly don't know where to begin. I am leaving so many things out, I just know it. Hopefully the pictures can fill in some of the blanks for you.
You reach for anything that is in your sight and you want to put it all in your mouth. Your grasp is so strong, and oh yes, I feel it regularly. Your nails! Oh the nails! I have to clip them like every other day. You are a little growing machine!
You have found your voice and you KNOW how to use it. You have opinions and you share them. These days I can't tell if you are in NEED or WANT... and I believe this is the beginning of a life long prayer for discernment.
You adore your johnny-jump-up. Love it. You spend hours in it... and I think one day I'm going to find you fast asleep in it. :)
Your naps? They seem to have disappeared. My once wonderful sleeper has turned into miss socialite and you don't want to miss a thing! The only place you can fall asleep peacefully and quickly these days is your car seat. Perhaps mama has taken you one one too many a road trip? It's okay - at least that's something I know for sure will work.
You definitely prefer to be in my arms over anyone else's. And that is quite alright with me. :) I like our little bond...! I'm enjoying it while it lasts because boy is it true that time flies.
You gave up playing in the pack-n-play. The place where you once spent chunks of time playing and exploring has apparently turned into a boring, lonely space. You'd rather jump in the kitchen or lay on the couch! I wonder where the next few months will take us in your world of desires.
Oh and I gave up on bottles. I pretty much have decided that you'll need me by your side every 3 hours for the next few months. God is good and He didn't make me face this realization until He knew I could handle it. Since you are such a quick little eater these days I am okay with having you by my side (and um, chest...) so often. At first it felt like such a time-consuming thing, having to breastfeed you what felt like constantly. But I am finally beginning to understand what all those experienced moms talked about. It's becoming our special time together... we cuddle and you relax and find comfort in these moments. It's priceless to me.
We went on our first family vacation in March and it was SUCH a breeze with you! We went to a cabin at Smith Mountain Lake. You were such a great sport... easy to please and super laid back. We expected it to be a tough adjustment, going on vacation with a baby, but we couldn't have asked for a better trip!
You love bath time, Hawkeye's kisses, getting your diaper changed, playing with your feet, riding in the car, being in your aunt Christy's arms (she keeps you moving!), being outdoors, keys, screens that glow (phones, tvs, tablets), being carried in the ring sling, and mornings with mama.
You are not the biggest fan of playing alone, falling asleep without eating first, sitting in your car seat if it's not en route somewhere, sleeping on your back (not anymore! Now that you can roll over it's the first thing you do when I lay you down!), being away from your mama for a large chunk of time, or anything else when you are tired. :)
I am sure the next time I write a letter to you, it'll be all about your first foods and mobility. Ahhh I can't believe it's right around the corner! Can't you just stay little forever? <3
I love you sweet girl, oh so very much.
xoxo, mama
