My Dearest Mae,
You are 11 months old today! WHAT?!?! Yep, that is correct, one month shy of your one year old birthday. I can't believe at this time last year we were anticipating your arrival and preparing for your grand entrance into the world. Before I couldn't truly imagine having a baby, now I couldn't imagine life without you.
Sadly, this letter to you might be a little abbreviated or not very well thought out since I have been busy planning your Aunt Julie's bachelorette party all day (who knew it could eat up so much time), painting the fence, and your dad is out of town. I wish I had more to give to you in this letter tonight, but sadly, I don't. I am sure that you will understand when one of your sisters or good friend's is getting married and you are planning a weekend away for 11 girls to Vegas.
This month has been one of those months that was idyllically perfect. I kid you not. Parenting and you have been a breeze. I guess if I could sum you up in one word this month, it would be awesome. Not that you haven't always been awesome but this month has been really carefree and fun. I think part of me is savoring every minute of you still being a baby.
The other day your dad said, "what would we do without Mae?" At which point, I answered (jokingly) that we would go to the beach, lay out, read magazines, and hit up the Attic [restaurant] for beers. In all seriousness, I don't know what I did before having you. Or how I was happy. You bring so much wonder and limitless love to my life.
I think one of my favorite things this month has been our morning ritual. After you wake up in the morning, your dad or I bring you to bed to feed you your bottle (yep, you are being bottle fed. See below about breastfeeding). Generally speaking one of us changes you while one of us runs to grab the bottle (we still have yet to master it). Then your dad goes back to sleep by pulling the pillow over his head and I feed you. After you are done gulping your bottle down, you sit up and start talking. Then you try to pull the pillow off your Dad's head while still talking. And you continue talking and smiling like there is no other place you want to be. We don't want to be anywhere else either but with you and each other.
For the last four months anytime you have been fussy or out of sorts, I blame it on teething. I guess it is my way of making me feel better about myself that there is a real reason you are fussy that is actual physical pain. However, you have yet to get any teeth, till now. Well they still have yet to come in but your gums are bulbous, swollen, and red and I can see the fangs making their way down. And yep, instead of being like any other kids who "generally" get their two bottom teeth first you are getting your canines. I don't know if this means you are going to be a vet or the dog whisperer when you get older. I claim it is a sign of your brilliance! Which you are truly brilliant. The other day a ball roll under the chair and you got down on your hands and knees to get it. I was blown away that you figured out where it went then actually tried to get it. Also, a guy in the grocery store stopped me the other day to tell me how smart you were (and no he wasn't a lunatic).
This month you have stopped eating vegetables. I guess you are on a strike. I keep putting them out for you to eat and you keep ignoring them or throwing them on the floor. I stopped caring that you won't eat them. The only problem is Ditka doesn't eat vegetables so I wish you just wouldn't throw them over the floor but thank goodness for the broom.
I have also said for the last month that you are going to walk any day but again you have proven me wrong. On Saturday, you took four steps on your own but I was on the phone talking so it doesn't really count but I didn't get any photos of it. But since then, just a step here or there, no real walking per se. You have become a very proficient walker by cruising along the walls, the coffee tables, and book cases. I say that it is a matter of days, I am just hoping it isn't when I am out of town this weekend.
I guess the biggest change for me this month (and maybe for you) is that I have officially quit breast feeding as of yesterday. I had such a rough go of breastfeeding at first (as do a lot of moms) but I hung in there and more importantly you hung in there with me and I can happily say that I got to do what was intended and got to feed you. I do believe the bonding we got to experience was priceless but rest assured, I am sure to do lots and lots of cuddle time still.
Can't wait to see all your truly awesome talents in the next month.
I love you always.
Love, Mom
