Teeth and Talking 10 months

Little Bryn,

There's so much that you're doing now... I can't keep up! Luckily I've captured all of your triumphant moments on video, so I can go back and date them... But as of now, You've got 4 teeth! They just kept coming! Your top two came in simultaneously and popped up November 14. Today you started grinding them together. Yuck! I try to tell you "no" in my motherly, tough voice, but you just look at me and laugh, which makes me smile and then I can't do anything but hug you. Man, I need to get that under control, because I'm a sucker for your smiles and laughs. Tonight you were upset in your crib, and so I went upstairs to rock you a bit and calm you down. You calm down so quickly, and settle in so perfectly in my arms, cradled snuggly- like you were made just to fit in my arms. You'd snuggle your head under my chin, and your arms would wrap around mine and hold on. Every once in a while your fingers will smooth over my skin and then feel and play with my necklace. Then you'd relax and your legs seem to hold me too, somehow. And you smell so sweet and perfect... Each time I laid you back down, you'd cry again-which is really unusual. I know that something must have been bothering you. So I continued to rock you. But then you started to sit up, and "talk" to me. And I'd answer and ask you questions. We had a little conversation- I'm just not sure what it was about :o). You started cracking up when I would make a "th" sound- which I only made after you did. But your laugh is just so perfect! It's a real ha-ha-ha, belly laugh that you get breathless from. I love it. So, I forgot about rocking you to sleep and played with you instead.

I swear you understand everything and speak already. I may be reading into a lot of things, but honestly, sometimes I'm surprised that the sounds that come out of your mouth are appropriate and clear! You'll say all done, night-night, mama, dada (most of the day), Brea (that was fun, and started about the beginning of this month), all done, baba for bottle, yeah (not really sure, but you say it at the right times), bye, and the list goes on. Sometimes I swear you say thank you, but that might be reaching. You can wave goodbye, but it's facing you- really cute. And you get so proud of yourself and smile when we clap for you. You growl when we say "ruff-ruff," and then laugh when we laugh at you. You like to play ball with me, you'll pick it up, hand it to me, and I roll it back... You're a very good sharer, and I think this teaches you to take turns. You're starting to figure out how too place rings on the stick, and you're very good at putting blocks inside a bucket and taking them back out. You sign to eat and all done the last couple days, and you picked it up within minutes of me showing you. So now I want to teach you more, thank you and please. Speaking of eating...I never knew a baby could fit as much food as you eat. You never fail to surprise me! You're eating most everything now, and sometimes it seems like all at once. I can fill your tray with graham crackers, mandarin oranges, pancakes, bananas, peas and carrots.... and you'd finish like a champ, only still hungry!

We put up the Christmas tree yesterday-so early- and you liked playing with the ornaments that jingled. You are playing more contently alone, and are pulling up and walking around everything. You like it when I walk you and hold your hands, which I just started doing. And I think you're taller than Brea was, because I don't have to bend over quite as much as I remember with her. Thanks!!

Anyway, I just love you, and I can't get enough of you. I hope that I can remember this particular night that I rocked you and played with you. I just think it was perfection, and I don't want you to ever grow up. I love that you fit into my lap, and neck and hold on to me so comfortably and we just fit together. And when you reach up to my face, and feel my cheeks. You'd stand up in my lap, and lay your cheek on mine and relax. And we'd just sit, cheek to chubby cheek. Perfection. I just want to eat them! I love you my Bryn. I love you so much. My heart overflows for you, and everyday it grows bigger.

Love,
Mommy
11-19-2008