My sweet, beautiful boy,
This letter is way late because I can't possibly write and keep track of you at the same time. I don't know how other mommies write their blogs every day. I can't keep up with you and my job AND this writing stuff. You started crawling (for real - not commando crawling) the day before you were officially eleven months old. Since then, you've been a crazy man exploring all over the house. It didn't take you long to realize you could crawl VERY quickly. And once the crawling was under control, you discovered drawers and cupboards. As you may recall, you started cruising (pulling up and walking around holding on to things) before you started crawling. So between the crawling, cruising, and drawer/cupboard opening, you've become quite the trouble maker. In an amazing, completely adorable way, of course.
We haven't hired a nanny for you yet, but I think we're close. We've interviewed several, including one who came and took care of you for a few days. In the end I trusted my instinct and didn't hire her. I should have listened to you to begin with - you never did warm up to her. We have another coming tomorrow for a test run - and I'm pretty hopeful that she's the one. You loved her at her interview, and she comes highly recommended. Let's keep all our fingers and toes crossed that this works, because I've had a really tough time working and watching you. I've ended up working late at night and I really need my sleep! (As much as you'll let me get, anyway.)
The weather is finally warming up and we're trying to spend as much time outside as possible. You love your little pool, though you especially like leaning over the side of it to pull grass. Then you like to eat the grass, and I'm afraid I'll lose a finger if I attempt to get it out of your mouth. Oh well, it doesn't seem to do any damage. You still just have four teeth - at least, I think that's all there are. Again, I'm afraid to go in to find out what else is growing!
Last week was our last Kindermusik class for the spring session. It's totally hokey, but you still enjoy it. I think you've got my musical genes - you love the music, and you love all sorts of percussive sounds. I play my flute for you and you'll just watch and smile - even when I stick you in your playpen! I hope you grow up like I did, hearing live music played for you regularly. Your Granddad plays the piano and harpsichord for you, so at least I know you'll get the exposure when you're with him and Grandmom!
Sleep continues to be a sore issue around here. I think you're trying to drop your second nap. Depending on how early you wake up (which has been too early lately), you'll take a morning nap, but not an afternoon nap. Then you'll get super tired and cranky and end up taking a nap way too late - and then you'll stay up until 9 or so. That's too late! Ideally we'd move this morning nap to the afternoon and we'd be set. Yesterday you took a 2 1/2 hour nap - which was absolutely amazing and I doubt you'll do that again anytime soon! And I was with you for most of the nap, and it was on my nice cushy bed, so I shouldn't be surprised. I wonder if you'll ever become a good napper. Nighttime is also a problem - and I'm sure as long as you are still nursing you'll be tempted to wake me up for snacks. I'm not planning to wean you anytime soon, so I guess I should just hang in there. Somebody told me that their son became a good sleeper shortly after his first birthday - wouldn't that be nice if you did the same?
I should note now that I just checked on you and you're sleeping in the cutest position - your little behind is up in the air. Too cute. I can't stand it. Obviously you've woken up a little and fallen back asleep - you can do it! Do that in the middle of the night too, OK?
Some of the big news here is that you have a new cousin! She's a tiny little thing - not really that tiny by most standards, but compared to you, she's tiny. We haven't met her in person yet, but later this summer we'll go see her. She sure is cute in pictures.
We're looking forward to your birthday party - we'll just have all your grandparents and a few other people over. I'm not sure what to give you as far as presents go. We need to replenish your supply since a bunch of toys we had borrowed had to go back to your new cousin. You're really into books these days - you'll sit and flip through all your books. Story time is becoming really fun! You also like to pull all the books off your shelves - especially right after I just put them up there.
Assuming we get the nanny hired soon, I plan to write your one year letter on time! For now, I need to get some sleep.
I love you!
Love,
Mommy
