Dear Rowan,
As I write this, you’re closer to eleven months than ten, but that’s the way of our life these days and I am pausing to celebrate your tenth month anyway. We have hit double digits! TEN months sounds so grown up, sweet girl. You’re practically a lady. You continue to trend off the charts on the awesome curve, and most days, I could literally eat you up, I love you so much (with appropriate credit to Sendak for the oh-so-appropriate words). You babble and laugh and stand independently and walk a bit Frankenstein like, but you’re getting better each day. You’re all personality, and you do a lot of the following to express your feelings: shake your head NO (sometimes as a dance move, other times as an expression of preference, and still other times? Just because you want to, of course), swipe away my hand when it is somewhere you don’t want it to be (namely anchoring whatever toy you’re trying to tip over onto yourself), hurl yourself to the ground with impressive force, arch your back and many more. On the flip side though, just the other day I was in your baby enclosure (ok, it’s jail) with you and I was talking to your Daddy when you toddled over, bent down and planted an open-mouthed slobbery kiss right on my cheek. I mean, are you for REAL? Your sweet side is really emerging these days, and you’re so cuddly when you want to be and I’m not ashamed to tell you it is my very favorite thing in the history of ever.
You want to be outside at all times, and always moving too. We go for many walks and trips to the park and we spread blankets in our tiny yard and you crawl around it, leaning over to pick at the grass and explore whatever grabs your interest. You’ve become quite the social butterfly, and you wave to every adult, child and fur-baby you see on walks, at the park and when we’re out and about. You especially love to do this during our Friday morning walks to Starbucks. “She’s so charming,” our barista says. I couldn’t agree more.
Food is close to the top of your favorite things list, and we adore watching you gobble whatever we put in front of you. So far, you aren’t incredibly picky and you let us know you’re enjoying yourself with a continuous (and enthusiastic) “mmmmmm” as you’re eating. You’ve completely conquered your sippy cup with straw, and you gulp down water with gusto throughout the day. It’s hard to believe that in a very short time, we’ll leave bottles behind completely (sniff), but for the moment, you’re still enjoying them three times a day. I’ve been impressed at the ease with which you transition…we dropped a bottle about a week ago, and I’m not even sure you noticed. Puffs and cheerios and fruit and veggie pouches still round out your culinary repertoire, and you enjoy those three very much indeed. Soon the farmers markets will open, and I’m excited to take you along and score lots of fresh produce and foods for your ever increasing appetite.
Sleeping still rates pretty high with you as well, and our nighttime routine has truly become a treasured experience for your Mama. I hand you Ellie (your treasured elephant lovey) and you lay your head on my shoulder while we rock and sing our song and say our prayers. You don’t require any rocking at all, but I find myself lingering with you these days, remembering your shape and how easily you fit on my lap, on my shoulder, on my hip. I savor those quiet moments, baby girl and as I lay you down each night, I always whisper a silent prayer of thanks for you. You snooze until 6:30 or 7 in the morning, and lately, you wake up and just lie in your crib talking to Ellie and to yourself until you’re ready to begin the day. It’s adorable.
Your first birthday is on the horizon as are a million more milestones and moments of joy. The world has never been so amazing as it’s been since you arrived. You are our everything.
To the moon, to the moon, to the moon…!
Xo,
Mama
Oh, how you've grown!

Recent Comments