january 2010

To My Hayes,

Good grief, you are 10 months old! Where has the time gone?! You feel so grown up to me, you have progressed so much in such a short time, yet you're still just a little baby. Soft chub, soft baby hair, pudgy fingers, but I can see a little boy coming through that face of yours. I said all last month "This is my favorite month so far." It has been such a joyful one. You are so incredibly funny. Doing little dances in your highchair, gabbing all day long, giving "make-out" kisses. No one taught you that one, but when you give kisses (always open-mouthed) you move your head side to side like you're trying to get a better grip on their cheeks or nose, you look very passionate.  I picked these pictures for your 10th month because they sum it up perfectly, you being so hilarious I can't even hold the camera straight.

cardigan h&m

You started crawling! I swear I have been saying you were close for months, but on New Year's Eve I told your daddy to come into your room & watch just how close you were to crawling. I pushed a car to the corner of the room and watched as you crawled right to it. We were in shock! I got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, I couldn't believe it. You crawl all over the place now, and you leave your little right leg out like a chicken wing. It must make it easier for you to sit back down, but it's pretty cute, too.

The next couple days were sort of nightmarish. You got an inch of freedom but you wanted a mile. Naptimes and bedtimes turned into hour long ordeals of rocking and you sliding off my lap to go play with toys. I knew it had to be a phase, so I just patiently waited it all out, and a few days later you were back to normal. You seem to understand a lot of what we're saying, and with that, we have to ask you to do things "Can you sit down? -or- Could you not tug on your weenie while it's covered in poo?" things of that nature, but you always do better if you're asked then forced.

You love books, and we could read ten before you're ready for something else. You love to go places and get really excited when I push the garage button and get you strapped in. You are the most social baby and crave time with other kids. I personally can't wait for warm weather so we can be more active again. I miss our nightly walks! 

We are so proud to be your parents, Hayes. We are constantly beaming with pride, and telling each other how lucky we feel to have such a good baby, a smart baby, a loving baby, a beautiful baby. Where did you come from? Because even the best combination of  me and your dad can't logically make something as perfect as you are. 

I will always look back with a little ache in my heart at this time in our lives. I can say with full honesty that I have put soaking up and enjoying every possible moment with you at the top of my list since March 10th, and yet it still doesn't feel like enough. I wish I had more. I wish I would have cuddled longer, breathed you in a little deeper, nuzzled your neck for one more moment. It's all escaped me so fast, and as much as I look forward to the future, I can't help but relish the present with you. You really are something, son. We love you so much, and we always will.

The world is yours, Hayes.

Love,

Mom.