AliceLayne

You took two steps on your own a couple of days ago. Amazing. I can see the determination in your eyes. You have wanted this so bad since you could prop your little 3 month old body next to mine. You are so close you can taste it. I’ll keep cheering you on.

When I say ‘ball’ you look at it and play with it.

When I say ‘Biscuit’ or ‘Quincy’ you reach for them.

When I say ‘no-no’ you look at me with a guilty face.

When I ask for a kiss, I get a big wet open-mouthed one.

When I say ‘jump’ you start bouncing.

When I say ‘daddy’ you look at him.

I love communicating with you.

Mom

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You have finally started babbling tonight!

I knew we would get to this point, but I did not know it would get here so fast. “It”  being crawling. I have been thinking about you getting into everything in this house, bumping your head, falling down, and lots of tears since I was pregnant. I even crawled on the floor a few times to get the right ‘perspective’. I put off any baby proofing until I thought it needed to be done. And here we are.

You are seven months old now. You started crawling at six. You are well on your way to walking sooner rather than later. You are ready to not be a baby anymore. Sad.

You did something today that made me realize you really are listening and learning. I asked you where your ball was and you looked over at it, crawled over there, and rolled it around. You knew exactly what I said. And that is the coolest thing ever. We are communicating at a whole new level now. You also know how to give a kiss when I ask for one. It’s an open mouth wet slobbery one, but a kiss nonetheless and they are the best kisses I’ve ever gotten.

You aren’t much of a talker yet. You are too focused on crawling, sitting up, pulling up, standing, and walking (with help). But I’m sure you’ll get it soon. I can’t wait to hear those first words.

We just got back from a wonderful vacation in the  Ozark Mountains in Arkansas with HPo10. We spent a whole week with your grandparents, Nonee and JoePop, Uncle D and Aunt Mel, Aunt B, Uncle Tim, and cousin Josiah. We took you out on the boat (which you weren’t too keen on) a couple of times. You loved swimming in the pool.

Little girl, I am going to keep trying real hard to write on this blog for you. I feel awful that it has been more than three months since I’ve updated it. So much has happened in those three months and I should be blogging as it happens. I want you to come to this page once you are old enough to read about your childhood and all of the “firsts” and fun details.

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I was never a morning person. Ever. But since you came along I embraced it and have grown to absolutely love it. The moment I wake up and can hear you in your crib making smacking noises with your mouth and go in to find you just hanging out and looking around the room waiting for me to come in, is my absolute favorite part of my day. As soon as you see I am there I get the biggest grin and it melts my heart. To know that someone is this genuinely glad to see me is a feeling like no other.

It was a long time coming to get to this point but here we are. Past the three month newborn stage and onto infant status. You are starting to give us more sleep these days. Thank you for this! As a matter of fact, last night you slept almost thirteen hours. I don’t mind you getting this trait from me. I love my sleep too.

I just said to your Dad tonight that you are growing right before our eyes, and so quickly. They aren’t kidding when they say ‘cherish every moment because it goes by extremely fast.’ In a short while I will miss our chats which only consisted of ‘BaBaBaBa’s and LaLaLaLa’s.’

I try and walk with you in the stroller every day or every other day. I have been doing this with you since you were two weeks old. The brutal heat of the Charleston summer is creeping upon us and I dread it. I hope we can still take our walks, but 110 degree weather is probably not up your alley.

I never knew how fast a baby progressed through the first few months until now. I am just now realizing that a four month old baby can be way advanced in progression than a 3 month old baby. You have started to grasp everything. (Including my hair, which now I know why they call short hair the ‘Mom Cut.’ I plan to stick it out with the long hair.) The moment you grab something you bring it directly to your mouth. Just a few weeks ago this was not all the way accomplished yet. You wanted so badly to have whatever was in your hands in your mouth at the same time, but you couldn’t quite figure out how to get it there. It has been fun to watch you everyday and see you teach yourself this skill. These days I am constantly putting every baby toy we own into your hands to see if you are ready for them. Sometimes I think you get real annoyed with me. You are also beginning to sit up more and more on your own. You still need a lot of assistance but we are getting there. Standing seems to be your main focus. There is no way you can stand on your own but with a little help from Mom or Dad and you are the happiest baby on the block!

Like I said, you are growing so fast and I love every moment that I spend with you. You are my best friend these days. You clean the house with me, shop with me, walk with me, cook in the kitchen with me, etc. We are practically bestest buds. I hope your teenage years don’t ruin that. Maybe the best thing that ever happened to me was not getting my dream job(s). They would require me to be away from you during the day and I’m not sure I could handle that. Props to Moms who have to put their children in daycare. I love having the option to work at night. And I am still finding time to pal around with your Daddy, too.

I will end it here. I love you, my little almost four month old. I love watching you grow every day. Still the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love ya.

Mom

Smiling. And oh how much joy that gummy smile brings to my life.

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First Smiles