Dear Q,
Ever the procrastinator, I’m writing your 11 month letter a few weeks late but better late than never, right?
I can’t believe what a little girl you have become. You’re crawling everywhere and pulling up on anything stable (and quite a few things that are not so stable, like grabbing my skirt to pull up). You love to cruise while holding on to the couch and coffee table and you’re so proud of yourself for getting where you want to go.
Your favorite place is right next to Mommy, especially if I am trying to use an electronic device. You love my iPhone, the baby monitor, the cordless phone, the remotes and you ADORE my laptop. I can’t use it while you’re awake unless I want you to come bang on the keys. It’s so funny, you’ll cruise over to me and when you’re about a foot away you get this crazy excited smile as you start reaching for the keyboard. It’s hard to say no to that smile!
Speaking of saying no, you do not like hearing that word! You want what you want when you want it and you are not happy when things do not go according to the Q plan. I’m working with you on sign language and I’m hoping that we’ll be able to communicate more clearly in the coming months so you don’t get so frustrated. Right now you LOVE your Signing Time DVDs. They are pretty much the only thing we let you watch. When Rachel jumps into the frame and starts singing the theme song your face lights up. It’s so cute.
Your favorite toys are: My Pal Violet, Keys, anything you can shake, the cats, your music table, books (especially touchy-feely ones) and Mommy’s face/hair/glasses/necklace, etc.
Your favorite foods are: Strawberries, Grapes, Bananas, Baby Mum Mums, String Cheese and, of course, breastmilk.
Breastfeeding is going really well and I’m so glad we’ve easily made it to my original goal of one year. There was some biting going on last month but I figured out how to avoid it and now things are great. My heart melts when you latch on and let out a big sigh as you snuggle into the crook of my arm. I also love the little clicking sound I hear as you swallow and your tummy grows full. I have no idea when we will wean. If it happened tomorrow I’d be heartbroken, but I’d still be proud of how long we made it.
I love…
…your serious face when you’re reading books with Daddy at bedtime. You concentrate so hard!
…how you crawl to find Daddy when he gets home and start talking to him non-stop.
…how excited you get when you see the cats. You bounce and wave your hands and call out to them. I hope you’re friends for a long time.
…when you fall asleep in my arms.
…looking at the video monitor and seeing the crazy positions in which you sleep.
…listening to you babble, especially when you say Ma-Ma!
…watching your face as you listen to music. It’s fun to see what catches your interest.
…your laugh that sounds like a squeaky toy. Your toothy smiles make my day.
…YOU! From the curls on your head to the tips of your toes. I love you, baby girl!
Forever Yours,
Mommy
