Dear Cricket: Eleven Months

Dear Cricket,

Happy 11 months sweet girl! Oh my goodness, here we are...just one month away from your big birthday. Even though we have a lot to look forward to, we have a lot to recap, as well. Your daddy and I are not ones for counting away your milestones by hurrying them along, but this month as been one for the record books. I must let you know all the fun you have been up to lest you look back and wonder about your sweet eleven month old self one of these days.

We have been having SO much fun together! It's like a light bulb went off this past month and suddenly you are completely aware of your surroundings. You are babbling more and getting the hang of words. You show us dolly and seahorse when we ask you for them (beyond adorable!). You copy us and want to try any food we give you. Also, you clap your hands like a pro. It is so cute I can hardly stand it! You especially like to clap when we tell you that you are a good girl. Truth be told this is pretty much all the time because you are downright fantastic! Oh, and you should see your sweet self bouncing up and down to music. As soon as we turn on the record player or start singing a silly song you bounce and start dancing. We've had a hunch for quite a while that you are going to be musical. It sure seems to be going that way!

You learned to play peek-a-boo with us a few weeks ago. It is so cute to see you hide behind your pack n play, peeking through the mesh with a BIG grin, and then out pops your head from the side. "Peek-A-Boo, I see you!" Oh, how it makes you smile as you hide again and again. Sometimes you play peek-a-boo with a blanket during diaper changes or with my scarf when we are playing around. We usually both end up in a laughing hug fest!

To top off your month of milestones you even....drum roll please... took your first steps! Eeek! Your dadddy and I have been eagerly awaiting this special moment. We knew it was only a matter of time as you have become increasingly confident standing on your own. We were hoping that you would take a wee little step while we were both around and you did! After dinner the other night you decided to toddle over a step or two after a dinner roll. You made us giggle as we cheered like crazy people. Our hearts burst with pride that night! Way to go baby girl!

What a memorable month! You are just as happy as ever although it is increasingly difficult to get a picture of that beautiful smile. You've got places to go and people to see! It's fine by us, we love watching you learn and laugh even through a blurry lens. These days are so sweet, my love. You are curious and funny and the perfect size for snuggles. You teach us each day to value the sweet, simple pleasures of life. You teach us to find joy in looking out the window, in Bonnie and in each other. You have put our lives in perspective and we thank God for our healthy, happy, blessed little family.

It's quite hard to believe that you are eleven months old. It seems like we just brought you home and at the same time that you've always been with us. I love you so much sweet daughter. It's a love that goes beyond any feeling that I've ever known. I look in your eyes and I see your daddy, I see me and most of all I see you. I see who you have become and a bright future ahead that is unique and hand crafted by God just for you. What an absolute gift it is to see you grow each day. You are a breath of fresh air. I love you just the way you are!

Happy 11 months sweet baby!

Love you Cricket!
xo, Mama

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