Dear Mae

My friend Jill, who I met through First Weeks and has a daughter three days older than Mae writes a letter to her daughter every month. I am stealing her idea for this post.

My dearest Mae,

You are seven months old today. I have been meaning to write you for some time. I chalk it up to part laziness, part exhaustion, part wanting to veg out at the end of a day, and part not knowing where to begin. I am sure when you are a mom you will know what I am talking about. This month there has been BIG changes for you and there has been quite a bit going on.

You are quite the traveler and I have joked with you that when you get older you are going to be a traveling gypsy. You have flown more times than I had prior to graduating from college - three roundtrips already for you. All the new places and new people enchant and entertain you. While traveling, you charm everyone you meet. And while on the plane, you smile and giggle at all the other passengers. I must admit I am so proud of you when people comment on how great you are on the plane. You are also one of the most easily adaptable babies. I love that you are not "set in your ways" and are always open to exploration. Of course that is not to say that you don't get tired and hungry, which makes you cry but for the most part you just go with the flow. I hope you continue to have a thirst for exploration, travel, and new experiences.

This month also brought Grandma Cummings to Seattle for two weeks every month. You love her very much and your face lights up every time you see her. You love the time you spend with her. You are so blessed to have so many people that love you and want to spend so much time with you. We [your parents] are equally blessed to have her here. Not only do we get to share with her your joys and new discoveries but we also get an extra set of hands. Not that I don't love spending every waking moment with you but I need a break to do things that grown ups like to do, such as clean the house and go for a run without pushing a stroller. This is her second month here so the fun with Grandma will continue and continue.

Throughout your short life your dad has managed to come up with several nicknames for you - Maesy, Maesers, sweetsies, and Maegoobees. Unfortunately for you, Maegoobees has won out this month. I swore to everyone that I would never call you it because I think it sounds too much like boobies but even I, too, have been calling you it. You get this look on your face that is just like a Maegoobee that I can't help myself. Also, anytime I say Maegoobee, you smile so wide. And of course, I love when I see you smile that big so I say it. Of course, your dad has come up goobee names for the whole family. Ditka is digoobees, I am agoobees, and your dad is pagoobees. He loves the fact that we are the family of goobees. Your dad is such a goofy guy and has started to get really big laughs from you. For the longest time, the big laughs were reserved for me and Mae time but your dad is becoming the funny guy in the family. I am ok with it because he is funnier then me. I am happy and content knowing I was the funniest to you for the first six months.

This month, we have also retired two "baby" items. The first is the bouncy seat, which we used from the day we brought you home from the hospital. Despite my best efforts to wish that you never grow up, it is happening. And getting rid of the bouncy seat is evidence of that. Even if I buckle you in, you manage to contort your body so that you are face down and hanging off the edge. The second is the activity mat. You don't seem to have that much interest in it anymore and why would you when you can crawl! Yep, that is right, this month brought forward movement. You have taken to commando crawling. I think next month will be the start of baby proofing the house.

Finally, this month you participated in something both the Cummings and the Koguts really, really love....eating food! Part of me is sad that I am no longer your single source of nourishment but AGAIN despite my best efforts you are growing up. You have tried beets, carrots, green beans, cannelli beans, blueberries, apples, pears, quino, oatmeal, bananas, avocados, mango, and peas (your favorite). I know there will be many great moments ahead while sharing family meals.

You continue to love to observe. And as much as I try some days, I don't think you are ever going to be a homebody. You love being out and about WAY too much. We go for daily walks and/or runs where you don't fuss or cry and just love being along for the ride. You used to fall asleep during these times but now you are wide awake taking in the scenery. While out and about, everyone comments on how cute you are. I think it is those kissable chubby cheeks of yours and your smile. I agree with all of them and tell the strangers that I think you are the cutest baby ever! And of course, I am not biased. You love to be entertained and if I sing a silly song you immediately smile and get happy. I love the fact that you love my silliness and aren't yet embarrassed by it. I have taken to calling you "short stuff" because you are "petite" for your age but I wouldn't want you any way else. In short my baby girl, I can't think of anyone else that I would rather spend my days with. You are the best traveling partner, you laugh at all my jokes, and you continue to amaze me with your constant wonder, excitement, and happiness. I love you very much.

Love, Mom