Letter to My One-Year-Old

 
You are officially one year old today.  I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. They say that the first birthday party is more for the parents then it is for the kid. And I think there is probably some truth to that because one year ago today you made me a mom and I can't help but want to celebrate that too. My whole life changed the moment I held you and I have to say it changed for the better. The sleepless nights and mushed bananas in my hair are worth it, kid.  So I think of today not only as a celebration of the beautiful light that you are but also of the wonderful life you have given me. Happy birthday my sweet.

Letter to My 11 Month Old

Your teachers at daycare the other day were raving about how quickly you learned to walk, to eat at the big kids table and altogether hold your own when playing with those older boys. It filled me such pride because I KNOW what an incredibly cool kid you are even if your daredevil nature sometimes gives me mini-heartattacks. (I wonder where you possibly could have gotten that adventurous streak?) You love to wave at everyone now but still aren't very comfortable around new people. That's okay, sweetheart. I was a pretty shy girl myself growing up but I know you won't have any trouble making friends as you get older.

Did I tell you what your first word was? Aside from mama, dada and buba you have begun to imitate others and recently you said "mono" (Spanish for monkey) when we were talking about our beloved puppet, señor mono (aka Mr. Monkey in English). It was so cool! My amazing bilingual baby. Rosie, your birthday is officially 21 days away and seriously my mind keeps failing to grasp how an entire year could go by so quickly. I want you to know that no matter what, no matter how big you get, you are always going to be mama's baby mermaid.

Love,
Mama

Letters to My 10-Month-Old

Dear Rosie,
Walking is no big deal to you now and eating has become your favorite thing in the whole world. I love your cheesy grin and the way your nose crinkles when you are about to do something mischievous.

Letter to My 9 Month Old

Dear Rosie,
You turned 9 months old last week and it was exactly 6 days later you decided to take your first step(s!!) Sweet child, you took my freaking breath away with that one! And the funniest thing is that you acted like it was no big deal. You looked me square in the eye and just stepped on over. To everyone's delight you wiggled and did a triumphant happy dance about it too.

Two teeth, your top one's to be precise, are coming in and it's like I'm looking at a whole new baby. Those teeth seriously make a difference. Rosie, you light up the room with your squeals. Every day I love that I get to be your mother. Kisses, my baby mermaid!

Letter to My 8 Month Old

My my my, oh how you've grown! In just a couple weeks you have not only learned to stand but also take a few fearless steps in the process. One moment I see you dangling with one hand on a chair and the next, there you go! One step, half a step, tumble face first. But nothing stops you. Ever. Hold on to that determination, baby girl. As you get older and someday become a young woman you will need it to navigate this world.

You painted pumpkins at daycare the other day and even the teachers noted your enthusiasm. You came home with paint in your hair, on your face and on your clothes despite having worn a smock. Perhaps we have another artist in the family? I surely hope so. And maybe someday you, nana & I can have an awesome art jam session together.

Watching you take on the world makes me feel like I am seeing it again for the first time. Like this week when we went to the car wash. I peered back in the rearview mirror and couldn't help but see the absolute wonder in your eyes as the slosh of soap splashed against the windows. You stared with open-mouth fascination at the patterns of water and the sound of machines cranking at work.

It was...beautiful to me.

Love,
Mama

Letter to my 6 Month Old

You are six months old today, baby mermaid! You have an adorable little laughter that fills our home and I could not imagine there ever was a time I am was happy as I am when I hold you. A few days ago I noticed your first tooth is starting to poke through. It hurts you and therefore hurts me but just hang in there, soon enough it will pass!

Letters to My Rosie: 3 Months Old

Dear Rose,
You are growing up so fast my baby mermaid. I blinked and now you're turning 3 months old. How did this happen? I spent the better part of the afternoon just folding up your newborn clothes, tiny hats and onesies you wore for practically half a day. It gave me a twinge of heartache because I feel that chapter ended way too quickly.

Last night you slept in your own room for the first time. I expected you to be scared but instead I got a snoring baby less than two minutes after I put you down. Even with the monitor rigged so I could watch you, I still must have checked up at least half a million times--ready at a moment's notice to kiss and hug away any nightmare monsters. But instead you slept so blissfully, arms raised above your head and little mouth half-open.

Truthfully, I am afraid to fall asleep at night and wake up to find you graduating high school.

 Every day you amaze me more and more (like seriously, what are you storing in those giant chipmunk cheeks sweetie?) Thanks for laughing at my rendition of Blink 182's All the Small Things. I promise mommy will try and learn some actual lullabies one of these days.



Love,
Mama