9 Months Old
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Dear Carlita,
You’re sleeping in our bed right now, finally, after a day full of non-nap naps. If it weren’t for that particular issue I’d say everything is just perfect. You are absolutely perfect my sweet little girl. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise!
This month was another one full of firsts. First time sitting up on your own, first time kissing both me and your dad, first time getting a bloody lip because your mother sucks at helping you with your crawling (I’ve learnt my lesson, trust me, no more helping you out as I’m sure you’ll figure it out on your own eventually), first time visiting friends and letting yourself get hugged by two rowdy toddlers (who may, or may not, have given you a snotty nose..), and the first time where you actually enjoy sitting in your little baby-tub.
You’re not much for cuddles. You love being close, definitely, but hugs are just a bit too much for you just yet. So I couldn’t quite believe that the weird open-mouthed pecking you did on my cheek one day was really a kiss. I hoped, sure, but I didn’t dare put any money on it, I had to turn to your dad for confirmation. Not long after he got himself some wet baby kisses too, and I think we both got a little misty eyed. I know you love us, not just because it’s obvious but because I’m your mother and I know it in my heart, but having you show affection like that - words cannot express the feeling.
I know I had high hopes for your crawling this month, but I’m relieved anyway that it didn’t amount to full blown action. It’s a full time job making sure you don’t get your little chubby fingers into inappropiate stuff, so the backward crawl can stick around, I need a little longer to prepare for what you can manage with the real deal. Besides, who needs crawling when you’re close to cruising? You get very excited about trying to pull yourself up on furniture and/or my shirt. We got a little carried away by your prospective walking the other day and bought you a rake, so you can help daddy with the leaf in the fall. I couldn’t really wrap my head around the thought, but the months add up and by then you ought to be able to trottle around a bit, so I suppose we’re not totally crazy.
Another absolutely precious thing about you is that you seem to dig on music, just like your parents. You’ll wiggle your body to the rhythm of the radio, and you’ll squeel with delight when I twirl around you and bust out my 90’s dance moves. I’m going to keep this up for as long as humanly possible because I know there will be a day when you will attempt to combust me with your glare if I as much as nod to the music.
The bigger you get the more obvious it is that you are, indeed, our child and it feels like even though you’ve only been here for 9 months, I’ve known you for ever.
