Dear Charlotte,
You've really
started to come into your own this past month, both with your sweet and funny
personality and developmentally. You
seem to do something new each day and you are SO proud of yourself when you
realize what you've done. In addition to
wondering what I did with all my “free time” before you were born, I often
wonder what our family did for entertainment as you provide that for us most
evenings.
You started
solids this month and just like with nursing and your bottles, you love to eat,
and you come by this trait naturally. I
can’t quite comprehend how you’re so petite compared to other babies your age
when I see how much you love eating and how much you actually eat. We started with a bowl of rice cereal shortly
after you turned six months old and by the third night you were squawking at me
when that bowl was finished because you’d like more, please. And make it snappy. The best way I can think to describe the
noise you make when you want more food is a holler. You literally holler at us until we bring you
more and it’s pretty adorable. You moved
very quickly to fruit and vegetable purees and haven’t found a food you don’t
like. After just a week or so, we added
breakfast to your routine and you do just as well with your meals at school as
you do at home. So far you've tried, and
loved, bananas, sweet potatoes, acorn and butternut squash, apples, pears, and
spinach. We’ll talk about why there’s no
need to add prunes to the mix a little later.
You love sitting at the table while the family eats dinner and once
you’re completely full, you’re content to play with your toys and chitter
chatter to us about your day.
You've turned
into a big talker this past month, chirping and chatting with us throughout
your day. When I get you up in the
morning you usually have a story to tell me and love to engage in conversation
even when you’re nursing. You love when
you have our undivided attention and the grin we get in return is simply
priceless. Anna loves to tell you about
her day, a new toy, and even says “oh yeah?” at just the right time and in the
right tone when you start a babble session.
It won’t be long until you’re both bantering in full sentences back and
forth and I’m doing my best to keep up with your slang and lingo.
You’re
physically growing up and we were finally able to get you to sit still,
literally, for long enough this month to perfect sitting up. Until a couple of weeks ago you were content
to roll across an entire room and back again, taking a toy with you, or going
after one, and just didn't find sitting in one spot very amusing. Then you realized that with balance came the
ability to grab at many toys at once while still being the center of
attention. The first few times you were
able to sit upright and not topple over you simply beamed with pride, shaking
that head back and forth and back and forth admiring your new view of the
world. We've also introduced you to your
jumper and you’re getting the hang of using those legs; it doesn't hurt that
Anna’s there to demonstrate and “help” you along the way.
Speaking of
Anna, we’re a little limited in to how we can refer to your development. We made the mistake
of calling you “such a big girl” in front of your sister and were quickly
corrected, “No, Mommy, Charlotte is a BABY, I am a BIG GIRL.” And if she knew how to roll her eyes, that
would have followed. So, we call
you our baby in her presence, but each day as you smile bigger, find a new toy
or perfect a new skill, it’s obvious you’re growing right before our eyes.
We started to
see a tiny bit of separation anxiety / a case of the Mama’s girl set in this
month. On a couple of occasions you just
didn't want anyone else to hold you, especially if I wasn't in your line of sight. Although I was flattered with the compliment,
I also love to share your sweet smiles and hugs and/or eat a meal with both
hands. But, it’s a small price to pay to
feel like the center of your universe and I know that feeling won’t last
forever.
I saw a quote this
month that really hit home. It read “you
carry them in your arms for a little while, but your heart forever.” As you start to take tiny steps toward
mobility and independence, I’m reminded just how much I need to stop and enjoy
the tiny snuggles, the slobbery kisses, the little grasps at my arm, and the sweet
smiles as you nuzzle close to me. You’re
still a great sleeper and, for many reasons, bedtime is one of my favorite
parts of the day. I love nursing you to
sleep and rocking you for those extra minutes after I’m sure you’d be fine if
transferred to your crib. I love that
the air outside is getting cooler, so you’re wearing heavier pajamas (those
cute footies) and because of our closeness you’re often a little sweaty as
you lay down to sleep. I love that last
kiss I plant on your forehead before I sneak out, the angelic look about you, and
how you snuggle yourself into *that perfect* sleeping position as you settle
in. Someday you won’t want me to hold
you in my arms, and you won’t need me to rock you to sleep, but I hope you
remember you always have a place there, and, more importantly, in my
heart.
Love,
Mom
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