Ten Minus One

You are turning ten months tomorrow, and I have to say, I really really like you. I know that sounds so odd coming from your mama, but it's true. Over the last ten months, I've come to realize you are an individual, and not just an extension of me, which is I guess how I thought of you when you were a newborn. You are this curious, smiley, silly, determined, strong and complicated individual. You are wild, yet calm. You are loud, yet quiet. You are active, yet still. I genuinely like being around you, and I believe most people feel that way about you.

As I take you out into the world, you have the ability to alter a stranger's day by your mere existence. At the market, an elderly couple, a middle-aged gentleman, the teenage cashier and a woman standing behind us in line who misses her family (she told me) all brighten at your energy, exuberance and unadulterated joy. I can't help but wonder if this will somehow be your role in the universe--reminding people to stop and simply smile. Or perhaps everyone loves a jolly baby...who knows.

Milestones have been many and include: successfully navigating the playground (with mama following closely behind you), climbing downstairs (not just up), picking up and eating cheerios or puffs (although most end up on the floor for Pi and Muffin, grandma's dogs) and standing by yourself for a whole ten seconds. Also, babbling is at an all time high, which is adorable and hilarious as sometimes you don't stop for a really long time. You are also bored with me feeding you, so you reach for the spoon to feed yourself. On the rare occasion, when there is just a tiny bit left I will let you, which always causes a big mess but you are happy, so I am too.