hello! caroline…9 months old

Dear Caroline,
You are officially 9 months old. It’s December, one of our most favorite months, and we have decked you out in all sorts of fun holiday outfits to commemorate the season! Playing dress up with you is too much fun my dear…so glad you don’t mind bows in your hair ;).

What’s Going On. This past month was a big one for you. You had your first plane ride to Los Angeles (how fun is that!), met your great-grandmother for the first time, stayed in a hotel, and this week, you’ll meet Santa Claus just in time for Christmas. You are pulling up/cruising around the entire house and getting into every.single.thing you can get your hands on…frequent favorites are kleenex boxes, empting all the DVDs out of the media console, and playing in the wrapping paper and boxes we have on hand for presents. Other favorite time occupiers are your musical table, the jumping exersaucer, dancing while I sing “jump shake your booty”, hanging out in your pack and play, and playing with Chloe (our dog). Bath time is still another nightly essential and you kick your little heart out, splashing water everywhere, but we don’t mind. It’s our favorite ritual that we always do together and you love it. I know wholeheartedly you’re going to be a water baby! You have learned how to wave “hi” and do it all the time to everyone we see…it’s adorable and I can’t get enough of your amazing little personality.
A Growing Girl Indeed. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you’ve already got 6 teeth little one. Four on top and two on bottom…and when people say teething is hard work, that is most certainly NO LIE. You’re doing pretty well in learning how to eat “bigger” foods and chomp at the bit when I have something you want to taste. You are in size 3 diapers and still wearing 6-12 month clothing, and I estimate you weigh about 20 pounds. You’re still leaning out, but those fluffy fat cheeks and little pot belly are still there and it’s so cute I can hardly stand it. I may kiss you 1,000 times a day.
Eating Like a Big Girl. You’re still downing 5 bottles a day and having snacks/food 2-3 times. You still love anything mixed with oatmeal, animal cracker cookies (the Gerber variety), puffs, and baby cheese treats. You like to feed yourself and you get really upset if I try to “baby you” too much when it’s mealtime…you’re quite the mess maker Caroline, and I am constantly hosing off your highchair and sweeping food off the floor (such a glamorous life, right?)
Nighty Night, Sleep Tight. We have FINALLY gotten you back to sleeping through the night-THANK THE HEAVENS! It was a rough few nights of letting you cry it out, but it had to be done and it came highly recommended from other mommies who I trust so I knew it was best for all of us.
You are one active child, and are now only taking 2 naps a day, about 1.5 hours each. Not too shabby, though…hard to complain since you are just so dang cute.

This past week ‘s events made me sit back and really think of what it means to be a parent…all those innocent children’s lives lost because of a monster who was obviously ill. I thank God everyday for you in my life, Caroline. Nothing I will EVER do will be as important as being your mother and I cherish you more than life itself. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you and my heart aches for the parents who will never get to see their child again. I know I hug and kiss on you every chance I get, but I don’t ever want to miss an opportunity for you to know just how much you are loved.
Hugs and Kisses Sweet Baby!!