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.

thoughts of yesterday

yesterday was a really good day. i ate well within my plan, moved around enough, and got some great quality time with deven.

devs started doing a pbbbbbt noise with his lips. cute, except when you are feeding him carrots. at that point, cute but messy.

he learns something new every day.

6 months old!

Dear Deven,
Today you turn 6 months old. What a wonderful month this has been! You have really built your balance and are starting to really do a good job sitting up. You have also been screaming when happy and when sad. You keep getting funnier and more entertaining. I wish I never had to leave your side.

The other day, you started fake coughing. It is so cute. You fake cough and look up at us like 'hey, how cute am I?'

I absolutely love when you are proud of yourself. I hope we can capture that look in a picture, because it is one of the best faces I have ever seen.

You seem to be working on some teeth. Granted, your dad and I have thought this for the past 2 months, but you have been gnawing on anything you can get your mouth on, drooling like a champion, have periods of extreme crankiness that is tamed by some baby orajel.

You have been able to roll over for some time, but this month, you really mastered it. You go from back to front, front to back, side to side. You have been known to scoot yourself in a semi-circle.

You smile a lot, laugh a lot. You are making a new face where you bounce your tongue off of your bottom lip. You are also making the toothless old man face.

Every day of this past 6 months has been a treat.

I'm really looking forward to the next six.

Love,
Mama