Nine Months of Avery

Dear Avery,

Today you are nine months old.

You’ve officially been out in the world as long as long as you were inside getting ready for the world. I am not a woman who adored pregnancy, but there were some amazing and wonderful things I cherished. When I was pregnant, I loved that you went everywhere with me. Even when you were lodged on my sciatic nerve and I could barely walk, I loved when I could feel you wiggling around in there. Your kicks were always reassuring, even in the middle of the night when they kept me from sleeping. Even though it’s a scary time, I felt like I could better protect you. But let me tell you, I adore having you on this side. You add so much joy and light and love to our lives.

This has been a busy month for you. At dinner a few nights ago, your dad even made a comment that you seem like a different baby in the last month. Your personality continues to grow every day and we love getting to see more of who you are. You are also learning so much every day. You’re now pulling yourself up on everything! You’re also starting to shuffle your feet while you’re holding on to the table or the couch and take a few tentative steps while we hold on to your hands. I’m pretty sure you’re going to be walking earlier than your brother was crawling.

You are so full of joy. Your smile lights up the whole room. You’re still such a charmer, snuggling close but smiling at strangers. You’re happy 90% of the time. That other 10%... well, let's say you've got enough spunk to hold your own around here. You laugh often, but you smile all the time. We love you so much baby girl, I just can’t even imagine our life without you. 

We’ve all been sick a lot this month. Between two kids and two parents, we seem to just pass everything around. You’re such a trooper, even when you’re totally miserable. You are NOT thrilled when you can’t have your pacifier, though. A few times you’ve been so stuffed up you couldn’t use it, and even though you don’t seem to care about your pacifier much, the fact that you couldn’t have it was just not okay with you! You spent a lot of nights sleeping on me and your dad this month. It’s not the best long term strategy, but it’s also a sweet time. We know it won't be long before the days of you curled up on our chests is only a memory, so we are cherishing it while we can.  

Much love,

Mama