Love Letter to an 11 month Old

Dear Baby P,

This, by all accounts has been a pretty rough month for you and the members of your family. You are pretty cross most of the time. The only time you are really happy is when your mom is holding you. That goes for when she should be sleeping. In your defense, you just cut a molar, have 4 incisors cutting though, and an ear infection that has made your ear bleed. You have reason, but that doesn't make it any easier.

You are really into things these days. Your favorite is the spice rack. Since the oven is pretty easy to pull up on, that works in a pinch. I have tried to lock both items, but unfortunately, the spice rack can not be locked. You have ripped the baby proofing out. I moved all of my spices to a new drawer tonight. I really try not to make things off limits in our house because it seems like I can never win the "off limits" fight. Yesterday, I found you in your sister's room with my rogan josh. You were in there fingering it and sticking it in your mouth. You knew you were wrong but seemed so pleased with yourself. When I went to get the bottle from you, you threw yourself into the floor and had a fit. Later, when I saw you with the 5 spice powder, you started crying and shaking the bottle before I even reached you.

I have written this the last three months, but you have really become more chatty this month. It is funny because as an infant, you would rarely make a peep. Now you are this moving blob of babble and screams. I have to say you are pretty funny though. You seems to be talking to us rather than just trying out new sounds. You have all sorts of inflections and hand gesturing.

You stand on your own now. You can even get up to standing in the middle of a room. You, however, seem more content to hold onto something than to actually walk on your own. You have taken steps, but you really aren't too eager to walk. I am ready for you to walk on your own. At least I have seen you take a step, your first, before the teachers at school saw it. (Even though if it happens at school, it doesn't count). You cruise all over the place, so I am really surprised you aren't more into walking on your own.

You are constantly in motion, but you love to stop to hug. You are a cuddly bear. When I squeeze you tight, you say "mmmmmm". I also think that you say "momma" but I could be imagining it. I wouldn't be surprised as that is the word you hear constantly coming out of your sisters mouth. You are good at giving 5 and you love to slobber on us affectionately.

Your a monkey, but we love you.

Your mum.