Dear Cricket: Ten Months

Cricket wearing a sweater my grandmother made me when I was a baby.

Dear Cricket,

Oh my darling, you are ten months old! Wow! It's been a whirlwind couple of months with all the holidays, but we sure are having fun. The house is decorated to the nines with Christmas lights and vintage decorations. You have been sporting your First Christmas shirts and red dress, looking so festive and pretty.

This month you have been on the go more than ever. The other day I caught you climbing up Bonnie's stairs (you know, the ones she uses so she can see out the window). You are still coasting along the furniture and crawling at a million miles an hour, it seems. You have been testing the walking waters by standing on your own for longer and longer periods of time. We encourage you with each new achievement and beam with pride as you discover the world around you. I've never been one to want you to grow up too fast. I am still in no hurry, but I have to admit it is an absolute joy to see you gain independence and learn new skills.

You enjoy most of your foods, with your favorite being the fruit and veggie baby yogurt and mum-mum rice crackers. You bounce up and down when those come out. It is really cute! You aren't too interested in chunky baby food, so we are still sticking to purees and finger foods. That works for you! Last week you tried some of our tilapia and seemed to enjoy it. You are a good eater but still a little peanut in the stat department. At your last checkup, a couple weeks ago, you weighed in 16 pounds, 11 ounces and 27 1/2" tall. Your doctor was pleased with your progress and said it was normal to plateau in weight at this stage. You are moving SO much little one. You have places to go and things to see. It sure makes for some tricky diaper changes, but boy you are having a good time!

My dear Cricket, I love you so much! I want to remember the milestones and stats so we can look back and remember this stage. However, these days are so much more than those things. These days are full of hugs, kisses and smiles upon smiles. It's the little things that make my heart go pitter patter. It's the look your daddy and I share when you do something adorable. It's the way you laid your head against mine this morning when we were watching daddy make pancakes. It's the curiosity in your eyes when you grasp a shiny ornament, or the laughter that shakes your whole body as Bonnie plays chase with you.

You are still nursing like a champ, and those moments I especially hold dear. For the first time, I feel like nursing is coming to a close. Maybe we still have a few months, or maybe I'm way off and we have much longer. Either way, I am trying to savor these moments of closeness together. You get distracted so usually we nurse in your room with the lights dim. That makes it all the more special. Just a sweet quiet time together. You get a bottle each day, usually at lunch from Nana. Sometimes Daddy will give you a bottle, too. Blessedly, I get to nurse you in the mornings and evenings and all weekend long. What a gift!

I love you sweet girl. You are full of energy, sweetness and joy. You have captured your daddy's and my heart in the most wonderful way. We pray for you each day and are honored to be your parents. Happy ten months Cricket!

We love you forever and ever, sweet girl!

xoxo, Mama

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