11 months old

Man, I am late making this post. Having an 11 month old running (yes, that's right RUNNING) around the house will do that to you.

Dear Deven,
About a day after I did your 10 month letter, you took your first real steps. There were three of them, from the couch to your mama. Then you started taking a consistent 2 steps from this item to that. Then you just started walking.

Now you run here and there and everywhere. You get really excited. You work your little fingers for balance. You are an excellent walker, by all reports.

You have really been showing your personality more and more. Unfortunately, you have inherited my lack of frustration tolerance. I hope you learn to handle frustration better than I can.

You are cruising into your first Christmas pretty much unaware that it is Christmas. With the exception that you love the little Christmas tree behind the couch.

This month, you had your Mundan. You were very impressive, handling all of those people as if you saw them every day.

I am so proud of you. I hope that I can be the mama you deserve.

I love you so much,
Love,
Mama.

10 months old

Dear Deven,
Being your mom is a bigger adventure every month. You are getting more and more brave. You have taken a few unassisted steps here and there. You have started giving things a name. You are into everything.

You have also started getting very demanding, really finding your voice. You try different sounds to see what works best to get what you want or need. We try to respond to the cute little chatter, not to the crying or screaming.

You have started to get really excited when we come to pick you up. You crawl, toddle or cruise to us as fast as you can. You are full of smiles. You give hugs (you say awww when you give them), sloppy kisses and still have a winning smile with those 2 bottom teeth showing.

You are such a great kid. Really, the best thing that has ever happened to your dad and me. We love you both so much.

Love,
Mama

9 months old

Dear Deven,
This past month has been my favorite so far. You are now a super cruiser, and FINALLY you have a tooth showing through your gums. You also have 2 bumps that are pointing to 2 more teeth straight away. I am going to miss your toothless smile so much, but that tooth sure is cute so far!

You have decided that baby food is for chumps. Now you want all table food all the time. Breakfast is 1/2 a slice of toast and 1/2 a banana, lunch is whatever veggies and fruits daycare is feeding everyone (they can still get you to eat some baby food, but I cannot) and dinner is usually some diced carrots, peaches or pears. Get some more teeth and we can branch out some more.

Last night, you gave us quite a scare by running a fever of 104.6. The nurse at your doctor's office said that this is OK as long as you are wetting diapers and you don't run this fever for more than 72 hours. Your temperature is down to 99 right now. That's a huge relief.

You have really started to show your own personality. I can honestly say that you are the coolest person that I know. You always have a ready smile. Your dad makes you laugh like nobody's business. You give kisses.

You are trying so very hard to say some words. We've heard you say something that sounds suspiciously like 'Hi Kittycat" to the cats, you say Dada a lot, and you say 'OM' which is usually said either looking at me or when you are super upset and want your mom. I am sure that we are just attributing our own words to your vocalizations, but I'd like to think you are starting to get communication.

I love you so much. Thank you for being the best baby ever.

Love,
Mama

8 Months Old

Dear Deven,

On Thursday, you turned 8 months old. It's been such an awesome month. You took off crawling like a shot. You are into everything, so are really keeping us on our toes.

Not content to let your accomplishments there, you are also pulling yourself up on EVERY THING POSSIBLE, including things that are not nearly stable enough to be standing against. This has resulted in some comical "Deven's stuck" situations.

You are cruising and it's very cute. You are also trying to work out bending at the waist to get something you want.

You are eating more and more grown up food cut into tiny bits. We could advance you more quickly, but apparently, you are never getting teeth, because after 8 months of life, you are still a toothless wonder.

I do think you are getting very spoiled, but its the good kind of spoiled. The kind where your parents love you so much and pick you up when you cry. You are not STUFF spoiled.

It's such a pleasure to be your mom, to have you look up from nursing, smile a little smile and tap my arm. I love every second. Even those seconds that get me up in the night. You are the best little person ever.

I love you so much,

Love,
Mama

7 months old

Dear Deven,
This month has been a very good month. You are growing up way too fast!
You have started crawling in your own manner. You go backwards like a champ and sort of swim forward or side to side. I can see the wheels turning and I know that you will figure out how to go forward sooner or later.

You also surprised us by pulling yourself up to a stand more than once! Very impressive!

You continue to like eating solids, particularly veggies. you also have been getting little chunks of banana, cheerios, and Gerber poofs. you are starting to be able to put together how to pick stuff up and eat it, but your fine motor skills really could use some help.

You are doing raspberries and now are making this adorable face where you stick your tongue out towards the side. It's CUTE!

You still don't have teeth yet, but I have to think it is soon coming. You continue to gnaw, drool and have moments where you are only soothed by a teething ring.

You now really don't like to lay on your back. If someone lays you down on your back, you will roll yourself over to your belly. Just this week, you started rolling yourself over to sleep on your belly.

Also this month, you started laughing AT things, not just when tickled. It is very cute and we love to be able to see your sense of humor.

You have started to show the first signs of separation anxiety. You were sitting with your daddy and I left the room to make dinner and you cried and looked where I was until I returned. Then, when you saw me, you threw your arms up in the air. This is very sweet, but also makes me feel sad, as I never want you to feel sad or upset.

All in all, Deven, it is wonderful to get to be your mom. I love you so much.

Love,
Mama

2 days wrap up

i've been getting plenty of activity. it's near impossible for me to function properly, though. deven is, for some reason, sleeping extremely fitfully. he was awake not less than 5 times in the night. not quite as bad was the night before last where he was awake 3 times in the night.

i'm fucking tired.

i'm just hanging on and doing the best i can

Weekend

I followed my plans for the weekend and ended the week down 3 lbs. Not a bad start overall.

I also got lots of activity in, and more importantly, lots of great snuggle time with Deven.

Yesterday's eating wasn't great start to finish, but I had planned for that. It was nice to have a day off from cooking/cleaning the fucking kitchen.

Today is Deven's first day back at Daycare because his dad starts his new job. I'm so sad. For the first time in a month, someone that doesn't love him is going to be spending all day with him.
I am already looking forward to picking him up and hanging out with him this evening.