Month 11 - Recap

My darling, busy little Bear,

It only took 11 months, but we finally got you to do your first 'trick'.  (Yes, I know that makes you sound like a dog.  No, I don't think you're a dog.  Because a dog probably sleeps more and drools less than you.)  You now raise your arms up to the sky when we ask how big you are.  The only problem is that trick only lasted a week.  Now we can't get you do it EVER.  You also wave - never when we ask you to, of course, but periodically throughout the day, I find you waving at random things.  The one thing we can get you to do fairly consistently is to dance.  It's so awesome.  The rhythm first gets you in your head, then it moves down to your shoulders, and finally you wiggle your hips.  The urge to dance usually hits you while you eat.  Which means mealtimes just got a lot more hysterical.

You also took your first assisted steps this month!  I got you a walker earlier this month and for the first few weeks, you just beat on it with your hand and licked it - pretty standard procedure for you.  But then one day, you figured out how to put one foot in front the other.  And then immediately take a knee.  You've only taken three or four steps at a time, but trust me - that's A-OK with me.  I'm not pushing you to be an early walker.  You'll walk when you're ready.  And then I'll go cry in the corner because my baby's all growed up.

I've started letting you fuss in your crib in the mornings while I get your breakfast.  Because your 'I'm Awake and Still in My Crib so I'm Going to Scream Until You Get Me' Cries are a lot more pleasant than your 'I See You Cutting Up That Banana But I'm Going to Scream and Wail and Yell Until That Banana is Shoved in My Mouth' Cries.  I had forgotten just how impatient babies are.  Sheesh!!  Breakfast time is an uber messy time in our house.  Instead of feeding you yogurt, strawberries, and bananas, I (lovingly, of course) slop it on your highchair tray and let you go at it.  It affords me time to eat my breakfast and drink my coffee, and affords you time to get sticky and messy.  And when the carnage is complete?  You look not unlike a lion who just devoured a yogurt-filled gazelle.  Your hands, arms, cheeks and mouth are dripping with yogurt - and you couldn't be more pleased with yourself.

And in keeping with Smithkid tradition, you're a noisy eater.  Just like Bill Murray.


You're now sleeping a solid 12 hours at night and taking two two-hour naps each day.
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HAHAHAHAHA!  MAN I crack myself up.  I am, of course, a big fat liar.  Because you, my darling bear, are a big fat non-sleeper.  Wait.  I take that back.  You're a sleeper.  You're just not an A+ sleeper.  Because it's not like you're getting up four or five times during the night.  You sleep pretty consistently through the night, but you sleep juuuuuuuust shy (10 hours) of long enough.  And your naps are juuuuuuuuust shy (1 hr) of long enough.  Which leaves you juuuuuuuuust shy of pleasant for the hour or two before and after naptime/bedtime.  So you're a solid C sleeper.

I know I sound like a big whiny baby in the previous paragraph.  But in all honesty, this little (non)sleeping adventure of yours has been a good kick in the pants in my relationship with the Lord.  When things are going smoothly and life is good, I often forget to thank Him for His blessings.  But the times when things AREN'T smooth?  Well, those times force me to my knees.  Asking for strength.  For patience.  For the ability to get through the day without freaking out.  Being a mom has been the single most thing that has improved my faith.  Because on those days when I feel like I can't keep my cool, I acknowledge that I can't.  So I don't.  I simply pray and ask God to give me HIS cool.  HIS strength.  HIS patience.  I run out in an instant; He is always full.  One of my prayers for you and Natalie is that you'll both learn from an early age not to rely on your own understanding.  Doing so is how pride and/or discouragement seeps in.  We were made to be neither prideful nor discouraged.  Recognizing the blessing you are and acknowledging 100% from Whom the blessing comes makes this mommy both proud [the good kind] and encouraged.

Hugs and smooches,
Mommy & Daddy

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