You are eight and a half months old and I keep falling deeper in love with you and adoring you even more, if that's even possible. I beam with pride as your dad and I watch new facets of your personality seep through and you gain more independence. What a fun age this is! You are a little social butterfly. You let anyone hold you, stranger or friend. The other day we were in the store and this sweet old lady came up and was gushing over you. She put her hand on your cheek and smiled at you. Without missing a beat, you placed your chubby little hand on her weathered cheek and you both just stood there smiling at each other for what felt like minutes, not needing to say anything. I feel like that sums you up so well. My sweet little spirit, always showing people your joy.
You're in such an age of discovery... and the fact that you're crawling definitely helps as you discover more. You're favorite thing lately is getting your hands on anything in the cabinets and whatever you can pull off of shelves. I'm pretty much constantly chasing you around. But, oh, does it make me happy when you find a book and squeal with delight as you turn each page carefully looking at what's on it. It's one of the the few things that will make you stop what you're doing and sit still. That's pretty rare these days. Although I did walk downstairs yesterday morning, and you and your Grandma had been sitting outside for about a half an hour, just staring at the rain... perfectly content. That's my girl. Your daddy and I got engaged in the rain, we were married outside in the rain, and you were born on a rainy day. It's my absolute favorite, and I love that you love it too.
It's been quite an interesting month, as you are doing more on your own. I know it would seem like that would make my life easier, but it really has only made it harder. You got so excited with crawling and pulling yourself up onto everything, that you decided to stop nursing, eating food, and napping during the day, and let's just say you're giving your mama a run for my money. It's changed the whole dynamic of what life looks like. Sometimes I daydream about the days when you'd nap on me for hours, or even play contently by my feet all afternoon, and I think how different it is now. But then, I watch you squeal with delight as you watched the flamingoes at the zoo for the first time, or as you taste food off of the table that we're eating. And I remember that every season with you is beautiful and challenging in different ways. I'm soaking up every day. The good and the ugly.
Your dad and I went on a date the other night and daydreamed about this summer and all the fun things we're going to do as a family. We can't wait for more family hikes, roadtrips, beach days, and are dying to take you on your first camping trip! Your one year birthday is just around the corner, and I need you to do me a favor. Just stop growing up, ok?! I need you to be my baby forever.
I love you more than you'll know, sweet girl. Being your mama is the best thing I've ever done.
xo
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