Hayden Elizabeth, my darling daughter, I find it hard to believe you are 10 months old already! Where has the time gone? I savor every day with you these days. It seems you are always learning something new, showing your personality and intellect. You are such a wonderful happy baby to be around, and you dazzle all who meet you.
We often have to stop several times around the grocery store, or on errands just to let people ooh and ahh over you. It makes me so proud to be your Mama, the mother of the most beautiful baby ever, the mother of the sweetest baby ever, the mother of the most loving baby ever. You are often compared to a porcelain doll, with your tiny nose and rosebud mouth, your beautiful long lashes, those rosy cheeks and the glowing blue eyes as deep as the ocean. And of course, the hair! All that lovely, dark, curling swirling mass of hair that halos your sweet face. People are constantly amazed at you, and I am constantly amazed at the blessing it is to be your mother, to call you my own wee daughter. You make me so proud, my wee one. My pooky-looky bear. My little petunia pickle bumble bottom. My little bit. My (and your daddy's!) tater bug. My stinker-binker-winker. My Haydie-pie. My sweet potato queen. My angel baby. My lovely little dovey. My turkey little lurky.
You are on the go these days, my little spit-fire. You have mastered that crawling deal (although you still love to prop one foot up to propel you along at a startlingly fast rate instead of crawling 'normally') (which, by the way, I like just fine. If I can teach you one thing, (no, strike that, I can't pick just one thing, but do please listen to this), it would be to know that we're all different, everyone of us. That's by God's design, and it's something to celebrate and embrace, not to shy away from or be ashamed of. It's a beautiful miracle that we're each in His image, yet never has their been two people identically created. Think about that.) You are always on the go, and are happy to chase us, or be chased, around the house. You love pulling up, and are so much better at lowering yourself down these days - much fewer of those 'unintentional' landings that upset you so badly, although I fear we'll see more of those as you get closer to walking. You have stood up several times and let go of your props, but this does more to mystify you than encourage you at this point. You are quick to crouch down to a safe 'drop zone' to ensure a soft landing. You are very unsure of what to do with this newfound skill and aren't ready to attack it with purpose yet - you only end up in that position unintentionally so far, like when you reach for a toy with both hands before realizing there is nothing holding you up.
You love to laugh these days, and will belt out the most hilarious squeals, especially when being tickled or playing 'getcha' with me. You LOVE peek-a-boo, and often go straight for your daddy's hat when he gets home, so you can pull it over your face while he calls, "where's Hayden?", and then with great flourish you sweep the hat away to reveal your hiding place! You two are so cute playing that game.
You also love giving kisses. You don't yet 'blow' kisses, but you will lean toward me and daddy (and anyone else lucky enough) and bestow the sweetest, gentlest, often open-mouthed kisses on our lips. It's something I love more than words can describe, and oh baby, if you were old enough to ask me for money or the car keys, I'd be in big trouble, because that just melts me into a big pile of goo when you, for no reason at all, suddenly lean over and search out my face with your gentle little kisses.
You are a master growler when you're playing. We're not sure where you picked it up, but you can growl just like a hungry dog protecting his food dish. It's not at all like a baby sound and parents of children in your class have often been startled by your unusual antics.
You love music, especially bluegrass. Anything fast with a good beat and tempo, you love. The other day, your Grandma and Papa turned the TV to some bluegrass and when that bango sounded, we were sure you were about to take your first steps (as your daddy likes to recount) getting to that TV. You reached up and boogied that booty in time with the music as you clapped and squealed your delight.
You have taken a break from waving and saying 'bye bye'. Just like all your new skills, once you've demonstrated them enough to show us you can do them, you no longer feel the need to prove your capabilities, and will then refuse to perform them again until it suits you. Oh well. I know you can do it. You know you can do it. God only knows when you'll decide to do it again, though.
You have become a master pointer. You know what you want to look at or touch or grab, and you have no problem showing us with that commanding little digit of yours. You point at the pictures of the birds at Grandma and Papa's, and they are happy to oblige you by toting you over to see the birds. You point at the bottle you want, the cheerios (still one of your favorite snacks), the toys, the phone, my keys, whatever you want, you know how to tell us.
Speaking of, you've also become adept at telling me what you don't want. You shake that head no with a ferocious decisiveness if I try to offer you a food you don't want, a medicine you aren't interest in, or if you disagree with something I've said. "Time to take a ride, Hayden", *shake, shake, shake!* "Time to get in your carseat," *shake, shake, shake!* Of course, sometimes you just enjoy telling me no, even when you really do want something. "Here's Bunny Bear, Hayden" *shake, shake, GRAB!*
Bunny Bear has become your best little buddy this past month. You love that soft, floppy beany bear of a toy, and you take him with you everywhere. Bunny Bear can soothe almost any irritation, dry your tears, and cuddle you to sleep. You love to hug him to you and smother him with kisses, and you stroke his soft ears over your eyes as you doze off to dreamland. At the same time, I thank heaven for Bunny Bear and his magical powers, I also fear the day we lose him or misplace him, and the effect that will have on your state of mind. For that reason, we try to rotate him out with Mister Corn, your 'sweet' unicorn, Pooh bear, and a number of other fluffy friends. So far, Bunny Bear remains unmatched for your affections, but not the sole source of comfort, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
For now, good night, sleep tight, and hold tight to your Bunny Bear my sweet darling, for we have big adventures that lie ahead of us. Namely, Las Vegas in a week for your first NACS adventure!
All my love, Mama
No comments:
Post a Comment