Letter to Anna: Month Three

Dear Anna,

I don't know how many more ways I can find to start your letter off with a version of the phrase "time is flying"; it feels like someone hit the fast forward button when you were born and I honestly can't believe you are three months old! I've started referring to you in months when people ask your age, mostly because the weeks were going by too fast to keep up, but also because you seem too much like a "big girl" now and not as much like a baby anymore.  

You continue to be one of the happiest babies I've ever known and are now smiling most of the time and on purpose. Within the last couple of weeks you've even started to squeal or "holler" at us. Usually when it seems we might be ignoring you, i.e. you'll let out a little squeal when you are ready to get up in the morning or from a nap, or if you've been in your swing longer than you'd like; as if to say "ummmm, excuse me, hello there, I'd like someone to take notice of me and my cuteness, please." Just like anything you do, there's a level of adorableness that makes you utterly impossible to resist.

You've become quite the seasoned traveller as we've made several trips to Lexington and one to Louisville this past month. You are wonderful in the car and I've come to really enjoy our Mother-Daughter road trips. This past month you met your (Great) Aunt Judy, your Great Great Grandmother and another Great Aunt, and we had a wonderful time showing you off. I especially loved the moments when your Aunt Judy and your Gigi were "sharing" you during their time at our house; you just smiled and smiled away, quite literally melting their hearts. The extreme amount of joy you bring to this family never ceases to amaze me. Remember this when you're older and wondering why everyone wants to hug and kiss all over you, it's because you are simply irresistible.

You are a wonderful, wonderful sleeper and I thank God every night for that gift he's given both of us. By baby standards you've been sleeping through the night (6+ hours) since about 6 weeks of age, but over the past couple of weeks you've been consistently going down at between 6:30 and 7pm and staying down until 6:30am or later. And you still take a great 2 hour morning nap … we're continuing to work on a dedicated afternoon nap ... I honestly think you resist because that's when you know Dad's about to come home and you don't want to miss a minute with him. 

Part of the reason you've become such a great sleeper is the discovery of your hands … you love to suck on them, often times trying to get an entire fist in your mouth and most recently singling out your thumb. I die of cute-overload when I go to get you up from a nap and you're sucking on a thumb. Some people have asked if we'll try to avert this habit, and to that I tell them that it's genetic with both of your parents being thumb-suckers and you were doomed.  Same with your long toes, I'm really sorry about that too. Since you're such a good baby, especially in the eating and sleeping areas, I think we'll let you slip by with one vice. 

When I wake you up from a nap or for the morning I always sing "You are my Sunshine" to you, except I change the last verse to say "Please don't take my Anna away." I want you to know that you truly are my sunshine, the brightest light in my life, and as your Mother I wish that your days are continually filled with the smiles and laughter you are just learning to express now. You shine so brightly on so many people and it is a true gift!

Love,
Mom