Eleven-Month Letter April 29, 2008

Dear Baboo,

Oh my word. You turned eleven months old on the 21st, and that means you’re only one month away from turning one YEAR old. Wow. Just wow.

You’ve spend the past month refining your waving and shaking techniques. You now wave “hi” but haven’t figured out “bye” yet. After many a walk outside with your egg shaker in hand, you’ve learned to “shake, shake, shake” whenever instructed to. It’s really adorable… Papa did a great job picking out your first musical instrument.

We recently spent week in Illinois. You traveled *amazingly* well. You spent most of your first plane ride nursing and sleeping, but during your awake times, you made friends with everyone on the plane. The train ride from Naperville to Galesburg was a teeny tiny bit tougher. It took you a while to settle in, but when you finally did, you slept for most of the remainder of the ride. The first few days of our vacation we visited your grandma and grandpa, and the last few days we spent in Chicago while Papa attended a conference for his web design job. Everyone was super excited to get to spend some time with you… Grandma and Grandpa; Great Aunt Lois, Great Uncle Don, Andy, and Amy; Aunt Erin and Uncle Grant; Uncle Richie; and Aunt Kenzie. They all wish they could see you more often.

You, Papa, and I were lucky enough to get to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field during our trip! Uncle Richie met us there, and so did Papa’s friend Kierstin. You really made out that day; not only did your papa and I buy you a Cubs hat and two Cubs onesies, but your Uncle Richie also bought you a Cubs hat for when you get a little older/your head gets a bit bigger!

It was super fun walking around Chicago with you tucked firmly inside the Ergo carrier. Everyone smiled at you and many had kind words to say.

Sadly, during our travels you picked up one nasty cold. You had a low-grade fever for two days or so, and you still have a runny nose and a hacking cough. None of this is slowing you down, but it makes Mama and Papa sad to hear you cough.

While on our trip, you got to experience grass for the first time. At first, you wouldn’t even touch the grass! You cried every time either your papa or I tried to put you down to crawl on it. Eventually you decided that grass wasn’t so bad, and your second time out (at our friend Marty’s house), you were crawling around with the best of them.

You seem desperate to walk these days. I’m sure you’ll master that skill soon enough. I can’t believe that not too long ago you couldn’t even roll over. It amazes me how quickly you’re learning new things.

In a few short weeks you’ll be one year old. I’m amazed at how quickly this past year has gone by. You are the best thing to have ever happened to me, Baboo. You are all the best parts of your papa and I combined (and you’re super cute, to boot). You’re happy and sweet and smart and expressive and just plain old wonderful. I can’t imagine life without you.

I love you, sweet one.

Love,
Mama

Ten-Month Letter April 1, 2008

Dear Baboo,

The past few weeks have been big for you. You’ve nearly mastered standing on your own, and you’ve learned to pivot a bit while you stand. Though you don’t wave “hello” or “goodbye” with much consistency yet, you’re getting the hang of it and always look very proud of yourself when you accomplish the task. On our walk the other day, Papa and I discovered that you really enjoy shaking things that produce a neat sound. Little do you know, today Papa is taking you shopping for a real egg shaker! What a lucky boy you are.

I remember when you were first born. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand how your skin and your breath smelled so wonderfully sweet all the time. This past week I was reminded of both and started worrying about how soon both those lovely smells would be gone. I love when you’re asleep with your mouth agape. During those times, I love to get really close to you and breathe in your breath as you breathe out. I don’t think I’ve ever smelled such a sweet smell as your milky breath. I love it when you fall asleep on my chest… it puts you in the perfect position for me to smell your head. I don’t know what I’ll do when those smells are gone.

Over the past week or two, you’ve started half waking up at night. Sometimes you’ll sit yourself straight up and then collapse into a child’s pose. Last night you did this and followed it up by rolling your back towards me and draping yourself over my side. It made me laugh, and when I looked at you, I realized you had fallen asleep during the transition, and I laughed again. You bring me such joy!

The weather has started to turn, and you and Papa and I have gotten in a few good walks. Just last week we went to Nay Aug Park and saw some of the animals they have in the wildlife center. You were especially amused by the monkey-type animals. Mama really liked the binturon.

I can’t believe that in (less than… eep!) two months you’ll be a year old. I have loved watching you grow, but a part of me wishes you would stay little forever. I have a hard time imagining what life will be like when you no longer need to be carried or worn… when you don’t need me to console you when you fall down… when you don’t need me to fall asleep… I know there are lots of fun times ahead, but as we approach your first birthday, well, I can’t help but get a bit weepy.

I love you, Sweet Baboo.

Love,
Mama