Lia: month 10

My darling girl,

I don't even know where to start, because this month has been such a whirlwind. Your father went back to work and our family went through quite a shift in dynamic. Daddy is much less present, and you get to spend more time with Mama and Grandma. You no longer sleep in your crib as the pros of having you in our bed far outweigh the pros of struggling through the night to keep you in your crib. Frankly, we came to the point where we can't even think of one legitimate pro of having your in the crib to be exact. So, we will deal with consequences later, but for now, Mama just enjoy sleeping with you curled against my body way too much to have it any other way.

You have been a trooper through it all, adjusting as you need to the changing pace. You will learn one day my darling that change is really the only constant in life, and you must remain resilient and welcoming of it to live a fulfilling life.

It must be a consequence of not having enough time with you that it seems like every time I turn around, you are doing something new and amazing me to no end. You are now comprehending speech. Get out of here. How is it that we now have a baby that acts on command because she understands what we are saying? When asked for kisses, you don't just pucker up, instead you open your mouth as wide as you can resulting in wet slobbering mess. We just love it and ask for it every time we can but you are quite selective of your capability, reserving it for only special occasions when you know we really need them to get through the day.

You are now waving your hands to say goodbye. You search for people when their names are mentioned through the frantic shift of focus to their usual spots (Reggie on the couch, grandpa through the back door, etc). You have 6 teeth that fully came through, and 2 more in the process of breaking through the gum.

You are now standing, like a pro. At any given moment we can place you down and you can hold your own. No chance of walking unassisted yet though, although walking alongside the couch or walking with the walker seem to be second nature to you now. You are getting into everything, but your favorite spot to get into trouble is where we store your diapers in the living room. Your usual routine is to pull yourself up using the TV cabinet, scoot over to the shelf where your diapers are stored, lower yourself slowly into a sitting position, and occupy yourself quietly until all the diapers are pulled out of their spots individually and all of the other junks are displaced.

Crawling is your mean to get to your destination, and as a consequence, you have climbed your first stair around the middle of the month. I was scared, but with any first milestone, we encouraged it urging you on from one step to another. We are sure to regret such it soon enough, but for now, your determination is admirable and we are proud parents of a crawler.

As you become mobile, your body slims horizontally and stretches more vertically. You are now weighing 25 pounts, 31 inches with head circumference of 18.5 inches.

I can't believe you are turning one in 2 months. My mind is just unable to reconcile our little newborn to the child that you are now. What a massive difference!

Mama is planning your first birthday party, and I hope you will enjoy your main event when the time arrives. We are doing the best we can as a family--your parents are doing the best we can by you, and you have done so well by us. You are more of a blessing to us than you will ever know, and keep on doing what you are doing, and keep up with the generous kisses.

You are so loved,

Mama