Our seventh month

Sweetheart,

Your mother is getting extremely delinquent in posting her monthly updates. Your seven month letter is coming eight days before your nine month birthday, ack! What can I say, you keep me very busy ha, ha!

You became even more vocal. One day when I was feeding you in your high chair you decided to try out your voice and shouted at the top of your lungs. I jumped at your outburst and you thought my reaction was hilarious, so you decided to repeat it over and over, laughing in between shouts (your arms would come together too, Daddy thought you looked like one of those stuffed animals with the belly that squaeks when you push it). Now you enjoy doing it off and on for kicks. That and you've been practicing you "sss" noise a lot, like a little snake. We do it back and forth to each other. You've also been practicing your mamamas and dadadas much more.

You perfected rolling, if rolling were a sport you would be an Olympian my dear. The speed at which you flip your body around is quite impressive and reminiscent of a bowling ball. You started the building blocks for crawling with your tummy off the floor and lots of rocking. The one night you just decided to get up off your belly- it was magic and I was in awe.

We've gotten more adventurous with the foods we try out and its been so much fun seeing your reaction to it all, the faces you make are priceless.

Your first Christmas Eve was memorable. You did fantastic at the church service, flirting with every girl you could make eye contact with.

Then Christmas day you opened presents, played with your cousins, spent time with Mima and your aunts (aka fairy godmothers) & grandma and grandpa. By the end of the night you (and I) were pretty exhausted. Then on the 26th your gift for Mommy and Daddy came- your first tooth! You weathered it like a champ and thank goodness are now feeling much better.

My sweet boy, I can never say enough how blessed I feel to have you in my life. You bring meaning and joy to everything and everywhere we go, people see the beauty radiating in your little heart and sweet smile-strangers are always compelled to tell me so. You've already touched many lives and made so many people smile just by being you. Always know that you are a gift to this world; one of the Lord's children. Always know you are loved.

Your lucky Mama

Our sixth month

My sweet little boy,

You'll have to excuse your Mama's tardiness in writing out this letter. The past month has been keeping me busy as well as preparing for the upcoming holidays. Anyways, onto the fun stuff...

You have become so mobile this past month that it is staggering. You went from sitting up on your own, sturdy and unsupported to bobbing and rocking while you sit (resembling a metronome- you can surely keep a beat). And then the rolling, one day I put you on the floor for a second to grab some paperwork from the desk and I turned around to find you rolling across the floor and under our bookcase. You laughed when I caught you in the act and came over to fetch you.

You've also been attempting an army crawl, or what I more fondly have dubbed 'the inchworm,' where you scoot your tush in the air and then flatten out and push yourself along. You also adore jumping, so much so, that I bought you a jumper. More details on that next month.

You're getting so much more coordinated with those chubby little fingers of yours. You pick everything in reaching distance up and examine objects like a scientist. Flipping things back and forth, you try to get a view from every angle. You somewhat successful at holding your own bottle and sippy cup- at times.

Speaking of your hands, you love, love, love touching different textures. The glider in your room is your absolute favorite thing to touch. It is a thin waled corduroy and you enjoy listening to the sound the fabric makes when you splay your fingers after making a fist over and over.

You're more vocal testing out your voice and babbling mamama and bababa with some consonants mixed in for good measure. Depending on your mood you can be a flirt/social butterfly in public. Although sometimes when we are out running errands you can be shy and shrink into my shoulder if I'm holding you. I love it because anytime I can snuggle with you is a good time :o)

When you can't reach something you want you do this adorable 'grunt and stiffen' (your arms) in frustration.

You love music, but especially country. When you were still in my belly I had bought the Garth Brooks box set and played him through much of the third trimester-but let me tell you there is some magic in Garth's voice. There are times when you can be super cranky in the car and the ONLY thing that makes you happy is listening to #16 "Wrapped up in you." It is like turning a switch- amazing.

The other night I was holding you asleep in my arms and this wave of love and joy just rolled over me. As each day passes the depth of my love for you grows in ways I can't even articulate.

I feel so blessed that your reflux has improved and you're feeling so much better. I feel so blessed that right now I can be home with you and have you all to myself- selfish Mama! But more than that I feel so blessed that God chose me of everyone on this Earth to shelter and guide you. Some days I wonder if I could be doing a better job, but always know, my sweet boy, that with each new day I will try my best to make you feel safe, comforted, cherished...treasured.

All my love,
Mama

Our fifth month

My sweet Little Bean (fast becoming a little man!),

Another month has come and passed, I can't believe how quickly time is flying. At this rate you're going to be asking for my car keys in a few months.

You're becoming stronger every day. At the beginning of the month you were practicing your tripod skills and now you are full blown sitting up on your own. It's amazing, one day you just decided, 'enough of this, I want to sit!' Of course, there are times when you topple over, but I've been lucky enough to always be very close to catch you when you fall. I pray that I will be able to be there for you, my arms a safe place to fall, for many more moons.

You are completely enthralled with Malcolm, your reaction when you see him is a combination of the following: blowing raspberries, thrashing/jumping up and down (if you're in your exersaucer), reaching your arms out, breathing heavily and Malcolm's all-time favorite- squealing. Malcolm's reaction to you ranges from fleeing the room as quickly as possible to slightly tolerating your presence if you want to pet him. I call it progress.

In the morning when you wake up in your crib, you love talking to yourself,(or as Daddy calls it- shouting) and playing with your feet. You also love having conversations with yourself in the mirror. Lately, you've been singing along when I sing to you, it is so adorable.

You're reaching for everything now, from your toys to Mommy's dinner. Your exersaucer has taken on a new purpose as you have discovered different ways to play with all your toys. Speaking of playing, you love to cook and bake with me, you sit in your bumbo and hold all the measuring spoons and cups while I mix the ingredients together.

Your favorite toy for the past month has been...drumroll...a red plastic cup. Who knew, but you think its magical when I pour your bath water out of it like a waterfall. You try to catch the water with your hands every time. The other day I caught you grabbing an empty cup with your feet and bring it up to your hands like a monkey (while in your bumbo). Now that's talent!

At night when we put you down to sleep you look like the sweetest thing on earth, little man. You see you sleep on your side now, all curled up just like a little person. You wearing out your sheets with all the circles you make around your bed.

I check on you countless times before I make it to bed myself. Daddy thinks I worry about you and that's why I check in so often, but I will tell you a secret. I know it may sound funny, but I miss you when you sleep. However long the day- even if you're having a tough one and don't feel good- there's never enough time I can spend with you. I will tell you the truth, there will never be enough time. One day you're going to grow up on me. So for now I will indulge in my need to 'check on you.' We'll keep that our little secret :o)

All my love,
Mama

Our fourth month

Dear little bean,

Wow little man, the time is just flying. Some more ups and downs this month with your reflux battles, but you already have so much strength that you inspire your Mommy.

You've been much more playful this past month, giggling, enjoying your exersaucer. Your favorite playthings though, are your toes. You can't get enough of your feet, in fact the other day I caught you trying to smush your whole foot into your mouth. You managed to get the big toe in, now I wonder if your going to be a toe-sucker versus a thumb sucker!

You love music and the silly songs I make up during the day, for a while you're favorite was "Shake, Shake, Shake....Shake, Shake, Shake...Shake your foody (to the beat of shake your booty). Mommy needed something to entertain herself during the many times she's mixing your formula.

You've been imitating more- sticking your tongue out and mimicking the sounds I make for you. You've also become very interested in Malcolm, you get excited when you catch site of him.

When I give you a bottle now you play gentle with my fingers- a stark contrast to the grabbing and tugging you like to do at other times-ouch!

You're twisting and splashing in the bath (not sure if you understand the splashing yet but...) AND you're getting closer to sitting up on your own strong boy. Towards the end of the month you started doing the tripod-woohoo!

The past week you've been opening and puckering your mouth when you see the bottle- it's totally adorable. The biggest, new thing we're doing now is solids!! It's been so much fun to see you discover and play with your food and new tastes. You prefer mixed cereal over oatmeal and barley and also love carrots-yeah! Let's hope the veggie proclivity continues...

I can't believe how fast your growing little bean. before I was a stop and smell the roses type, but it was more of a smell those roses quickly and check it off the list of things done for the day.

Now, my little man, thanks to you, I am able to relish the moment, savor the times that I hold you in my arms sleeping and not rush to put you to bed. I can watch your little face dreaming and wait for that moment where you take your big sigh, when you've completely relaxed and let go.

All my love,
Mama

Three Month Birthday

My sweet baby,

Your first three months of life have not been the easiest on you or your mama. I’ve been close to a minor mental breakdown on more occasions than I can count, but never think, sweet boy, that it was ever your fault. If I could just stand in your place and take the pain for you…I wish God would let me.

Having to stand there helpless while you are hurting feels like my chest is being cleaved open and my heart torn out. I know eventually we’ll find a solution for you or you will grow out of this phase.

There are moments when you look at me so adoringly and smile a big toothless grin. In those moments the clouds part and I can close my eyes and literally feel the warmth on the sun shining down on me. Your smile can soothe any wound in my heart.

Despite all of your tummy troubles this past month, you’re still thriving and eagerly taking in this new world. You love blowing bubbles with your mouth and razzing, which is the cutest damned thing in the world if I do say so myself.

Sometimes we’ll be driving somewhere and I can hear you blowing raspberries. It always makes me laugh.

You absolutely adore the monkey on your bouncy seat, sometimes I wonder which of us you like better: me or that monkey- ha, ha just kidding. You’re so much more vocal, you love to talk (not much of the grunting anymore) and we have daily conversations over diaper changes.

Daddy and I try to take you for a nightly walk now since it seems to keep you from crying and diverts your attention. I notice you paying special attention to trees.

Your favorite time of the day is bath time. There is something about the sink in the kitchen that is pure magic for you.

You’ve baptized me several times over by this point. About the third week home from the hospital I was changing your diaper and admiring your cute little butt. Just as I went in to kiss a cheek, you farted right in my face. I could help but laugh at your perfect timing.

Then the other day I was holding you after a feeding and talking to you, you let out this monster belch that sprayed formula all over my face.

Apparently you have a sense of humor :o) One of the many qualities that I look forward to learning more about, little man. Who you’re becoming…always know that whoever that may be that I will love you and protect you in every way I can.

Love always,

Mommy

Our second month

Charlie,

Your second month here with Daddy and I has been quite a memorable one. We had some big "firsts" that I won't soon forget. You gave us your first big smile (Daddy first, then me) and coos, they were absolutely amazing. It was as though one day you just woke up and decided that you were going to try and teach us your language.


You giggle now too and I savor those moments, because your poor sensitive tummy has been giving you a lot of troubles lately. We're hoping that the medicine and new formula will help you feel better soon and get the reflux under control. There have been days were you cried all day long and then I cried along with you. Not being able to do anything to soothe you (and feeling awful for you because of that) makes a mommy feel quite inadequate at times. I'm hoping and praying that we may be turning a corner.

Anyways, back to happier things. Your neck has become so much stronger and you hold that adorable head of yours taller so you can see more of the world. You absolutely adore looking at all the paintings we have on our walls and the black and white photos of our family that we have in your nursery. For the time being you seem to prefer those paintings (because at times I catch you smiling at them), but don't worry I won't tell the family ;o)

You grunt a lot! And you've started to suck on your fist and make the funniest slurping noises when you do.

Last weekend you had your first boat trip and you did so great. I think the gentle rocking helped you get a nice restful nap. We had to come back not because of you, but because we ran out of formula!

Back to those coos, when you get excited as we're having a conversation your breathing quickens and you sound like a little puppy. The other day I had you resting on my legs so we could have one of our 'talks', and something hilarious happened. I blew a raspberry and you were completely amazed. Your eyes nearly popped out of your head. I blew you another and another and you were enthralled. There I sat in our living room laughing like a fool while you tried to figure out how my lips could do that.

Well, my little bean, I almost feel as though you're growing too fast. Despite the fact that you are a whopping (ha- insert sarcasm) 10 lbs 10 oz, there are a bunch of clothes that you already are too big for. I feel as though I need to snap more pictures and capture more video of your little self.

It's crazy because time takes on a new meaning once you become a parent- you won't know this for a long time little man. In some ways there is no meaning; minutes can stretch out into an eternity and weeks can breeze by in the blink of an eye. I'm going to savor as much as I can.

Love Always,
Mommy

A letter to my son

I recently read about baby journaling in Dr. Sear’s Baby Book and thought it would be a great way for me to look back and remember how much Charlie has grown. Here is my first entry.

Charlie,

This first month with you has been a study in contrasts. While I have had quite a struggle (that continues) with breastfeeding, having you in my life makes everything sweeter and more beautiful. I always felt that your Daddy made my life more colorful and fun, so it’s of no surprise that when you came along that everything would become more precious.

I cried on the ride home from the hospital because we had made so many great friends at the hospital, but more so, because we arrived at the hospital a couple, but were leaving a family- all because of you.

I often watch you while you sleep, little one, and wonder what you’re dreaming of. I still can’t believe your were in my belly, maybe it’s because I thought you were a girl for so long –whoops! But my intuition must have told me something, because I gave away all those cute little girl onesies and a sweet polka dot cardigan sweater right before you came along.

I can’t tell you how much I love it when you wrap your tiny, strong hand around my finger. You also do this adorable toe curl every time I feed you where your big toes look they’re doing a “thumbs up.” You also let me know when you’re finished eating by giving me the most adorable pouty lower lip. I call it your locked and loaded position ;o)

Daddy calls you Houdini half of the time because, somehow, you find a way out of all your swaddling wraps and get your arms right back where you love them- near your face. Reminds me of my favorite ultrasound picture of you.

You love bath time. Mom and Dad still haven’t gotten comfortable with the baby bath tub we bought, it’s enormous for you now, so we give you a sponge bath. I think your favorite part is having your hair washed.

You’re always looking around, bright eyed, discovering this new world. You started to smile in your sleep, but I’ve yet to see that toothless grin when you’re awake- can’t wait. The other irresistible thing you do in your sleep- suck your lower lip. You’re also quite vocal, always grunting.

And, oh, the stretches- you look like you’re prepping for a marathon!

Towards the end of this first month I’ve noticed your fingers and face start to fill out; you’ve got the beginnings of baby rolls on those long legs. I can’t wait to see who you’re going to become little man. You were worth every nauseous day, every bit of pain, a thousand times over. I can only hope you know how much you're loved.

Love, Mommy