Letter to Anna: Month Eight

Dear Anna,

Even though you're only eight months old, you've officially entered your second calendar year of life and I can't believe how close we are to your first birthday, you're two-thirds of the way to being a year old … wow! The world around you has turned into your playground and everything must be explored with touch or taste. You're a gentle little girl and love to feel faces, clothing textures, and your toys, always with a tender touch … then you decide that tasting is the best way to be sure you know what you're dealing with and everything has been going into your mouth.

Your personality is really developing and you're a bit of a ham. You love attention and will often times look around to ensure you have an audience when you're being extra cute or trying something new. This turned into a favorite pastime during our holiday visits when you wanted to make sure all eyes were on you before showing a big smile or giving us a laugh. One of your favorite games happens when you're nearing the end of a nursing session and your Dad is around. You coyly turn your head toward him with a huge smile on your face, and then wait for him to come over to give you a kiss on the cheek and then quickly turn back toward me. I've implemented a "three strikes and you're out" rule when this game starts and then hand you over to your Dad. You've also become a real chatterbox this month and love to babble about your day. Your favorite phrase is "dada dada dada," but it's not necessarily directed at your father, at least that's what I'm telling myself anyway. I definitely see a Daddy's girl in our future and he wouldn't have it any other way.

You have a real interest in feeding nowadays, even though we're still giving you purees for the most part. You would love nothing more than if I'd let you put both hands in your bowl of food as though you were getting a paraffin treatment at a salon and we often cave-in and let you chew on your spoon during meals. After a few minutes of hearing you grunt after a meal this month, we introduced you to Baby Mum Mums and you think they're the bees knees. You feel like such a big girl feeding yourself and although the Mum Mums turn into a rice-paste all over your face and hands, I'm learning that this is the first of many steps toward mealtime messes. You like the challenge of getting finger foods (puffs, yogurt melts, pieces of banana) to your mouth, but aren't necessarily in love with the taste or texture of anything you've tried so far. We've also started to let you sit in a high chair when we're out to dinner and you think you are nothing short of hot stuff when you get to sit like a big girl. You always give our waitress and those passing by a huge grin and can't wait until you're able to order off the kids menu, or at least color on the menu.

You're getting up to speed with technology faster than some adults and have developed a real affinity for my phone and any and all remote controls. I'm not sure what that says about our parenting, but I'm telling myself it's the bright colors and buttons that are grabbing your attention. You Skype'd this month with your grandparents and weren't sure what to think at first, but I have a feeling you'll get the hang of things pretty soon and will be hamming it up for them in no time.

Outside of your friends at school, Milo is one of your best buds. After returning from our Christmas in Pittsbugh, you let out an excited squeal when we arrived at home and you saw him greeting us at the door. He loves to sit next to me as I nurse you and I can't tell you how many times he's "buddy bumped" you as you are *this* close to dozing off. Daisy has a new affinity for your room and loves to nap in your glider. It's only a matter of time before those two are mixed in with your stuffed animals and everyone is slumbering together or sharing in an afternoon tea party.

Although you love your Dad, you've started to show preference for me at times, usually when you're tired or in a new situation. I recognize the "I want my Mom" whine and selfishly admit that I love the instant snuggle I get when I retrieve you in those situations. You were under the weather this week with a fever, runny nose, and cough and I heard those whines and whimpers often. Although I hate seeing you sick, I love that part of the treatment that gets you back on your feet are cuddles and snuggles with me. I feel fortunate that I have a job where I can put you first at the drop of a hat so that I can nurse you back to health. I love the tender moments when I garnish a laugh, when you're gripping my finger during a nap, and when we are able to spend an hour nursing not because you're necessarily hungry, because it gives you comfort.

Although I know a day will come when hugs and kisses from Mom are un-cool and unwelcome, I know you'll come around after those pesky teenage years pass, and I hope you will always know that I stand with open arms ready to for a hug, will offer a shoulder to cry on, and will always listen without judgement. 

Love,

Mom