11 Months

Dear Emma,

Trying to capture a photo of you without any blurry body parts is like trying to teach you to not put everything you touch in your month — both are basically impossible these days, no matter how valiant my attempts. Sitting still is no longer something that interests you for very long. Why would it, when it is so much more fun to touch everything, climb everything, go everywhere, see everyone? I am watching you transition from docile baby to curious, adventurous toddler on a daily basis and it is awesome! And exhausting. But mostly awesome!

This month you started walking with the assistance of your walker, or by holding on to someone’s hands. And then last Sunday when we were waiting for our car to get “de-beach-ified” at the car wash, you invented what we now call The Standing Game. They had a kids chair shaped like a giant baseball glove in the waiting room, and in an attempt to keep you entertained since the car wash people were slooow, I plopped you down in the middle of it. You started pulling yourself up on the back, which wasn’t a surprise since you pull up on everything — but then you started letting go!

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You’d quickly lose your balance and plop down on your bottom (which meant Dad or I had to spot you at all times) but you were having SO much fun. We’ve been playing this game daily ever since, mainly on our bed so that we don’t have to catch you each time. After only a week, you’re already standing for as much as 10-15 seconds at a time, and clapping excitedly as Dad and I cheer along with you. Will you take your first steps in the next month before your birthday? I guess we’ll all find out soon enough!

You are clear about what you want these days, whether it’s banging on the back door because you saw Daddy outside mulching our orange tree or asking to see the Bucee suit up close and personal when we stopped for snacks on our way back from Port Aransas last week. Most people would consider a 6-foot-tall beaver costume, standing empty and motionless, a little creepy. But not you! I was headed for the drink coolers when you pointed straight at Bucee and grunted “unh!” It was the first time you ever effectively communicated your wishes in a way other than crying or grabbing, but I know it won’t be the last.

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You’re starting to really understand cause-and-effect and love to hand things to us only to take them back again, and drop things on the floor in hopes that we’ll pick them up. The other day, you played “catch” with Dad for the first time and it was pretty freaking adorable.

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Music gets a reaction out of you now too, whether it’s from one of your toys or from my iPhone just today after I finished a run on the treadmill. You wiggle your whole body with a grin from ear to ear, like you just can’t get enough!

Early in the month, we were still in the throes of a sleep regression of sorts. I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that it happened at the same time you were transitioning from 3 to only 2 naps per day! You would no longer fall asleep on your own, and needed to rocked for naps and night. But — knock on wood! — I think we’re finally on the other side. Since we got back from the beach, you’ve fallen asleep without a peep each night after we read a book and rock for just a minute. And this weekend, you even went to sleep on your own for naps thanks to an assist from your new buddy Lenny the Lamb.

Your two daily naps are still usually a short 45 minutes each and I won’t lie — it would be nice if you’d knock out for 1-2 hours on a regular basis, because I sure would get a lot more done. But given that you already get 11-12 hours of sleep each and every night without fail (and without waking), it seems clear by now that you are just a short napper and don’t need much more.

You are eating a lot of finger foods now, and never hesitate to reach for what Dad or I have on our own plates. Eating out at a restaurant has become more challenging since we have to clear a 2-foot radius of table around where your high chair is positioned. At school, you’re eating more and more from the tray meals they provide which is nice for both of us — you get get to try new things and I don’t have to pack as much food every morning.

In the middle of the month, Gima and Grandfather drove all the way from North Carolina to hang out with us for a few days, and you enjoyed every minute! (Well, except for that time Grandfather teased you by throwing a bean bag at your feet and you got scared and cried.) They were here on Father’s Day so you got to spend it with both Daddy AND Grandfather, which was pretty special I think. Emma, you are so very lucky to have your Daddy. He is smart and curious — just like you! — and I know that as you grow up, he’ll always be there for you because he loves you SO much. Don’t forget that, ok?

We also took family vacation to Port Aransas, so you got to spend a lot of quality time with Dad’s family too! In fact, this is one of the few photos that doesn’t show you in the arms of a great aunt or uncle or cousin — or Grandma, of course. They are all just crazy about you, sweet girl, and you were quite the charmer.

The beginning of our trip was very stressful for me — I was so worried about so many things. Did I remember to pack all of the right stuff, so that we were covered for any possibility? Would you be ok during the 4-5 hour car ride? Would we be able to get you to sleep in your pack-and-play? What if you got sunburned? Or overheated? What if this, or that, or the other?

But Emma, you were as good of a little traveler as I could have possibly hoped for. Long car ride? I’ll take better naps than I ever have before. Strange place and weird crib? No problem, Mom! Up an hour past my usual bedtime? No use getting cranky, so I’ll just keep on keeping on over here with great aunt so-and-so. And you taught me a valuable lesson — you may be little, but you are adaptable. You are flexible. You know what you can handle, and will let me know when something’s not ok. Sometimes I just need to relax and stop sweating the small stuff. I’ve always got your back…but sometimes you’ve got mine too.

Love,
Mama