8 Months
Dear Zoë,
Monday was your 8th month birthday and I’m just now sitting down to write about the last month because you definitely keep me busy. Rest? When there’s a mommy around to play with? Never!
Your devotion to me right now is both endearing and exhausting. Your dad has taken to playing a little “game” each morning when we come to wake you: “Who will Zoë choose today?” It’s not much of a game, because, without fail, you will pull yourself up in your crib and reach out that warm little hand to grab my shirt. “Pick me up, Momma!” It makes me smile every day. My new favorite trick of yours is when I’m standing at the kitchen counter; you crawl up behind me, grab onto my legs, pull yourself up, and peer up at me through my legs. I just want to grab you and love you all over.
But, if I want your dad, or Gram, or anyone else to look after you for a bit, I have to completely leave the room. At the least. Or you will fuss, fuss, FUSS. And that, my darling girl, is exhausting. As you are getting more confident in your mobility, and are starting to explore on your own a bit more, I’ve come to realize that you have a little rule about your attachment to Momma. Our “tether” is one-way: you may crawl away, cruise all over the place, but I must stay put. If I set you down and walk away – we’re talking roughly 10 feet – you start to holler at the same time you’re scurrying after me as fast as your little hands and knees can carry you. And, let’s be honest. It was cute and funny the first 10 times you did it. Now, not so much.
I can’t wait until you’re walking.
Did I really just say that? Everyone tells me we’re in for such trouble when you start walking. I know that you are so unbelievably eager. You’re certainly very stable when you stand, now. You love cruising around your play wall, the sofa, dad and me . . . But, you’re not content with that. Uh-uh. Now, you stand up, get this concentrating little face, wave your hands a little bit, and appear to be willing yourself to step forward. Only, you don’t. You’re not quite sure enough. So, you plop back down and crawl to whatever it was you wanted. Or, you get up and try again. Plop.
Gram got you your first Christmas present this week (don’t worry – we’ll let you unwrap the box Christmas morning – you’ll love it!): a little 4-wheeled walker. Boy, oh boy, is that not the greatest toy ever! You knew exactly what to do and, “Hey! I can walk across the room, now!” Gram said you’ve had your share of tumbles, but once you get your cry out, you pick yourself back up and go again. Man, you are a persistent, busy little baby. Sometimes when I pick you up in the afternoons, Gram looks like she’s ready for a nap herself!
The only downside to your staying with Gram every day is that you aren’t around other babies and children very much. So, when we get an opportunity to get you around other kids, we jump on it. If only I had brought a camera when Anne and I took you and Ella shopping last week. The two of you sitting side-by-side in your strollers, reaching out to touch each other’s faces . . . it was precious. You were so interested in this other little girl who didn’t look like the baby in the mirror. You kindly shared your jingly lady bug, and Ella kindly shared her Cheerios. Then, a few days later, you discovered a little 10-month-old boy sitting behind you at Ella’s birthday party. It must have been love! You two stared at each other for ages. Then, when his dad and I put you on the floor to play together, you just wanted to touch and look. Until, of course, it was time to crawl all over and attack Ella’s toys. Toys can go in your mouth a lot easier. Toys, after all, are better than babies.
As each month goes by, you develop into this whole little person and there seems to be no limit to what I could say about you. But, if anyone asks, just tell them that: you’re funny, you’re sweet, you’ve started to like snuggling, you are immensely energetic, you love to eat, you tolerate bottles, you like Peek-a-boo and So Big, you clap and squeal when you’re excited, you love splashing in the bath, and make a good imitation of an elephant.
That last one could probably get you a theater in Branson.
Love,
Momma
Monday was your 8th month birthday and I’m just now sitting down to write about the last month because you definitely keep me busy. Rest? When there’s a mommy around to play with? Never!
Your devotion to me right now is both endearing and exhausting. Your dad has taken to playing a little “game” each morning when we come to wake you: “Who will Zoë choose today?” It’s not much of a game, because, without fail, you will pull yourself up in your crib and reach out that warm little hand to grab my shirt. “Pick me up, Momma!” It makes me smile every day. My new favorite trick of yours is when I’m standing at the kitchen counter; you crawl up behind me, grab onto my legs, pull yourself up, and peer up at me through my legs. I just want to grab you and love you all over.
But, if I want your dad, or Gram, or anyone else to look after you for a bit, I have to completely leave the room. At the least. Or you will fuss, fuss, FUSS. And that, my darling girl, is exhausting. As you are getting more confident in your mobility, and are starting to explore on your own a bit more, I’ve come to realize that you have a little rule about your attachment to Momma. Our “tether” is one-way: you may crawl away, cruise all over the place, but I must stay put. If I set you down and walk away – we’re talking roughly 10 feet – you start to holler at the same time you’re scurrying after me as fast as your little hands and knees can carry you. And, let’s be honest. It was cute and funny the first 10 times you did it. Now, not so much.
I can’t wait until you’re walking.
Did I really just say that? Everyone tells me we’re in for such trouble when you start walking. I know that you are so unbelievably eager. You’re certainly very stable when you stand, now. You love cruising around your play wall, the sofa, dad and me . . . But, you’re not content with that. Uh-uh. Now, you stand up, get this concentrating little face, wave your hands a little bit, and appear to be willing yourself to step forward. Only, you don’t. You’re not quite sure enough. So, you plop back down and crawl to whatever it was you wanted. Or, you get up and try again. Plop.
Gram got you your first Christmas present this week (don’t worry – we’ll let you unwrap the box Christmas morning – you’ll love it!): a little 4-wheeled walker. Boy, oh boy, is that not the greatest toy ever! You knew exactly what to do and, “Hey! I can walk across the room, now!” Gram said you’ve had your share of tumbles, but once you get your cry out, you pick yourself back up and go again. Man, you are a persistent, busy little baby. Sometimes when I pick you up in the afternoons, Gram looks like she’s ready for a nap herself!
The only downside to your staying with Gram every day is that you aren’t around other babies and children very much. So, when we get an opportunity to get you around other kids, we jump on it. If only I had brought a camera when Anne and I took you and Ella shopping last week. The two of you sitting side-by-side in your strollers, reaching out to touch each other’s faces . . . it was precious. You were so interested in this other little girl who didn’t look like the baby in the mirror. You kindly shared your jingly lady bug, and Ella kindly shared her Cheerios. Then, a few days later, you discovered a little 10-month-old boy sitting behind you at Ella’s birthday party. It must have been love! You two stared at each other for ages. Then, when his dad and I put you on the floor to play together, you just wanted to touch and look. Until, of course, it was time to crawl all over and attack Ella’s toys. Toys can go in your mouth a lot easier. Toys, after all, are better than babies.
As each month goes by, you develop into this whole little person and there seems to be no limit to what I could say about you. But, if anyone asks, just tell them that: you’re funny, you’re sweet, you’ve started to like snuggling, you are immensely energetic, you love to eat, you tolerate bottles, you like Peek-a-boo and So Big, you clap and squeal when you’re excited, you love splashing in the bath, and make a good imitation of an elephant.
That last one could probably get you a theater in Branson.
Love,
Momma
posted by Kate at
7:56 AM
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