Happy 10 months Holden! (A letter from Mommy)

I cannot believe he will be a year in just two short months (and I say short because we all know the Holidaze FLY by!)

I think I may have mentioned I started keeping a jar in my kitchen cupboard to jot down things going on with Holden as to not forget – and this past month has not disappointed. so with out further ado:

Mr. Holden,

My little guy, I can’t believe how much you’ve grown!

You’re such a healthy boy. Mommy got the flu (no, not little-piggy flu, just regular sickness) and was down for the better part of a week – but you came out of the deal unscathed. The same cannot be said for the rug burn on your right eye after thinking you could fly (along with the throw-pillows) off of the fireplace. Granted, they’re called ‘throw pillows’ for a reason… but if you’re actually going to take them up on their namesake, you ought to let go first.. or their fate will be yours. Experience is a great teacher – thus the chairs currently in front of said “mantle.”

Moving on…

The other day I was *parenting you down and it was taking a little longer for you to fall asleep than normal, and I started thinking about all the time I was spending making sure you’re asleep because of the no-crib thing… and I started thinking about all the other things I could do with that time, and then it hit me… ‘What a blessing to be able to snuggle up with you! To have you nuzzle in close and breathe your sweet breath on my face… to tickle your tummy, to touch your face… ‘ This time will soon be gone, and I’ll be wishing you’d want to be close and cuddle again. So I am grateful we X’d the crib and I get that extra time with you each day and night.

Also…

Just before I sat down to write this you were playing one of my favorite games. When I lay in my right side, you on your left; and I hug you in close to me and try to let go… but before I can, you place your sweet chubby fingers behind my head (ok, grabbing the hair at the base of my neck, actually, but still) and then you pull me in close… and do it again, and again, and again… and sometime, like today… you let go, and seem to drift into sleep straightaway. I love that game – let’s play it forever!

Oh, and the notes form the jar? Well, I’ll jot them down, and I can elaborate when you’re older:

• I finally found a way to get you to eat carrots.
• I find myself having moments when I look at you and think ‘hm, you’re no longer a baby. Like Pinocchio, you’re a real boy!
• You’re an old soul. More than one person has commented on this
• At your 9 month check up you were 21 lbs 8 oz (64%), 30 inches (91%) and your head circumference was 47 cm (87%). So you still legally fit in your car seat (we got the bigger one that hardly fits on airplanes), but one more inch and we’ve got to trade up for a different type of rear facing…
• On November 6, I dimmed the lights in your room in preparation for naptime, and you crawled onto your bed – it was adorable.
• Daddy and I also love how you just crawl out of your room when naptime’s over… no tears, you’re just done sleeping…
• You enjoy feeding yourself – which often makes meal time very messy. (I heart your pumpkin eyebrows)
• Besides crawling you love to utilize anything to push across the floor to ‘walk’
  
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• At one point you would lay down and not squirm in the real tub so I could rinse your hair. You LOVE bath time (in the real tub!), but are not so keen on laying down anymore…
• You officially have six teeth.
• You're still doing great with your pottying. Every 'catch' we consider AWESOME... and every 'miss', we just consider.
  
• You’ve tried green beans and spinach (you liked spinach more), and love picking up Breakfast O’s and pieces of Rice Cakes… and anything I haven’t picked up off the floor.

*As a dog owner for many years, Danny thinks it’s best to refrain from phrases like ‘put you down’ or ‘put you to sleep.’

And if you haven't checked it out...I share Holden't birthstory (where we were, ten months ago today) here.