Law Students

10 months

Recently we got together with friends who we haven't seen in months. Their baby, who is two months older than you, had developed a ruglike head of hair since I had last seen him. His mom kept exclaiming that you look so different now. Really? I didn't think so. But I looked back at some old pictures, and she's right. You are growing into a toddler. In more ways than one. It's not just that you wear shoes now and have learned how to stand up (and today, climbed up one step); you have definite opinions and make them known. You hate being confined, especially in the carseat. You are a little more wary of strangers now, taking stock first before jumping into anyone's arms like you used to. And you're more attached to Mommy and Daddy -- you still play on your own happily, but every couple of minutes you'll crawl over and pull up on my jeans, holding up your hands to be picked up.

Our routine has changed a little bit over the past few weeks because not only are you sleeping a little later (yay! 5:30 instead of 4:45!) but also, since you stopped nursing, Daddy and I have been alternating mornings and nights with you (double yay!) Mornings I get to sleep in are especially sweet because when Daddy brings you in for my baby wake-up call, you attack me with hugs and kisses. It's a great way to wake up.

You're also very excited when I pick you up from daycare in the afternoon. Daddy grumbles that you like me better because he leaves you there and I go get you. I have the better job, for sure. Except that I have to sing to you all the way home so you don't wail in your carseat. So far, "Tomorrow" from Annie and "Sleigh Ride" are the only guaranteed ways to get you to calm down. If you're already calm, any song will do. Lately it's a holiday medley. When Daddy and I are both in the car, we will recite your favorite books, most of which we have memorized. "Hop on Pop" is always a hit and it's fun to say. Whenever anyone says the word snack, Daddy and I always chorus, "SNACK. SNACK. Eat a snack." We can't help it.

In the evening we spend some time playing. You got so many toys for Christmas (many of which we have packed away for a rainy day) but you still love the cardboard tube that I stuck some old Cheerios in. Then you eat dinner. For the past few days we've been giving you fruit for dessert. You love grapes and honeydew melon. Then same old bedtime routine. You've gotten better about sleeping through the night, although you usually cry around 9:30 because you've lost your pacifier. You've been waking up wet more often lately, though.

Daddy made a cryptic comment about feeling like he was "living in the past." After some questioning, it turned out that he meant that all this will be in YOUR past, in a distant locked-away part that you won't be able to remember in a few short years. You'll see the pictures and think, was that really me? And we'll tell you stories, but eventually we'll barely be able to remember either. Daddy was a little sad about that. But I feel like even though you won't remember exactly what we did and said and looked like, you'll know we were happy.

Love,
Mommy

Full post as published by Magic Cookie on January 04, 2008 (boomark / email).