1st Christmas

December 2008

My Christmas Bryn,
You are starting to stand up alone, for a second longer each day, and a bit more stable. I lead you around, your hands reaching up to mine and we walk wherever you want to go. I try to sneak a hand back, but you stop walking, tilt your head back to look up at me and smile. Nothin' gets by you. You really like to be near me at all times. I think your favorite place besides in my arms is pulling yourself up by my pant leg and standing beside me. Many times you're only content with me holding you. You've been getting more clingy lately. This is new to me because Brea never went through it. It's easy to get frustrated, but when I stop what I'm doing and enjoying the moment with you, it's priceless. You snuggle so well, stretching your arms out to clutch my shoulders tightly like a bear hug. I rub your back and bottom and you rest your head under my chin. You smell so good, melded to my body and you're completley still and content. Your cheeks are perfectly kissable, so squishy and soft. I love them.

I love playing with you, and you talk constantly. Most things I cannot understand, and some I'm sure I just make up (but they sound great), but many are real words and are meaningful. You say "day-dew mama" a ton throughout the day, and I'm sure that it's "thank you mama" because it's always when I give you things. You even switch it to "day-dew Bay" when Brea shares. Sometimes Brea is pronounced absolutely clearly, other times it's not, but in context makes sense. You've said all done, yeah, bye-bye, hey, ruff-ruff, ba-ba or ba (bottle), puppah (puppy), Chester- perfectly clearly, grandma and papa, and more. It's fun. Constant chatter. You've started pointing now, which is neat because then I know what you want or are interested in.

Christmas was fun, you liked opening and ripping the wrapping paper. Your favorite toy may be the horse that Granna and Papa gave to you and Brea for early birthday gifts. You pet it and stroke its nose. You also like the farmhouse and animals you got from Granna and Papa and play with those while Brea plays with the dollhouse. You liked baby Stephen and were very interested in baby Lyla. I was surprised at how gentle you were when you touched them.

In general you like to do what Brea does, but you don't always like how she hugs and squeezes you. You are sharing a lot already, and you give Brea toys in the car and she'll give you some back. She also gives you food when you ask. You don't always understand or have patience for the way Brea plays with you, but you love her and she can make you laugh like no other. At night if you cry, I can hear Brea sing you songs and say, "it's okay, Bryn, I'm here, Brea's here." She'll sing "Bryn Elizabeth, I love you" and make up words as she goes. She mimicks me a lot of the time, and she definitely mothers you and wants to make you happy. It's sweet to watch your interactions together.

As always, I love you more than I can say,
Mommy