Dear Charlotte,
Spring has arrived and just like everything else, you are growing like crazy. Every day you seem a little bigger, a little more wide-eyed, a little more aware of the world around you.
Last week Momo was here for a visit which was awesome for parents and kids alike. She loved seeing how much you’ve changed since the last time we visited her in January, and you loved all the snuggles and attention.
You had a lot of “firsts” this month — some good and some bad. One thing that is definitely in the good column is that you finally warmed up to the idea of eating actual food after resisting it for several weeks. One day you were still spitting out all your food and BAM! The next day you were gobbling it down and leaning forward enthusiastically for more. In just 2 weeks you’ve gone from eating basically nothing to three meals a day.
You also are getting pretty good at sitting up and have enjoyed being in a high chair when we eat out instead of having to stay in your car seat or on someone’s lap. If you don’t have the benefit of a chair, I do still need to stay within arm’s reach to catch you after a minute or two when you lean juuust a bit too far in one direction and start to topple over….but I don’t think I’ll have to do that much longer.
And while I’m talking about your gross motor skills, I should add that you also figured out how to roll over from front to back! You’d been able to go from back to front for weeks now so I’m glad you’ve finally added the opposite to your repertoire.
Unfortunately you can also check “first illness” and “first ear infection” off your milestones list after this month. To be honest, making it through your first 2+ months of daycare without getting sick was a minor miracle, so I wasn’t surprised when you caught the cold and congestion that’s been making the rounds. That led to a double ear infection, but you benefited from my experience with Emma because we caught it early. From what I can tell, the worst part for you was having to take the antibiotics!
You still hate having to be in the car seat on the way home from work and daycare every day, but I’ve decided that it’s primarily because you’re tired after all the activity of the day. In the last week or two you have started to throw in the occasional 1.5-2 hour nap instead of a scant 45 minutes, and I’m making a strong effort at home to get you to bed a little earlier. I remain optimistic that you will stop your car crying as abruptly as you started eating food…but can I put in a request that you do it soon?
You have reached the stage where you are always reaching for anything you can get and I am constantly reminded of how curious babies naturally are. Your judgment may not be the best — I mean, it’s probably not the best idea to gnaw on the granite countertop when you’re on my lap, even if it does feel nice and cool — but I love your curiosity. So keep reaching, little Charlotte. Keep reaching!
Love,
Mama