Blue

Monday, December 5, 2011

5 December, 2011

Dear Max,
You finally know how to crawl! But after all of your frustration of trying, you now won't do it because you've decided you can army crawl just as well, thank you very much!
Last night we gave you your first taste of peas. Like me, you hated them! You would make a funny face, spit some of it back out, and gag. We were all laughing so hard at this.
Due to your terrible sleep habits (being awake 5-9 times a night!) we will be going to see a sleep specialist next week. We have tried different methods to get you to sleep, but you just won't budge. Though last week you actually slept for 12 hours without waking. This was a first for you.
You experienced your first Thanksgiving. You loved it. You got tastes of all kinds of food for the first time. Bread, potatoes, green bean casserole. Your dad played a little trick on you by acting like he was going to feed you a spoon full of something. You would open your mouth all ready to take a bite, then he would put it into his own mouth. Yep, that's your dad.
You are around 18lbs now! So big. It's amazing how quickly you grow. Just a month ago you were only 16 pounds. No wonder my biceps are getting so big, carrying you around.
When I look at you, two things stand out to me the most. One, is your smile. You have such a contagious smile. Nothing makes me happier than that grin. It just proves how happy you are. Everyone still says what a happy baby you are. I hope you always have that big smile on your face. Two, your big, beautiful, blue eyes. They are stunning and frequently commented on by others. They stand out because they are so blue. I know you will grow to be a very handsome man.
I hope you know that you are loved. Your dad and I frequently ask you if you know this. Of course you can't answer, but I hope one day you'll answer "yes". Because we do love you, more than you can imagine. You are the greatest happiness we've experienced. Thank you for choosing us to be your parents. You mean the world to us!

Love Always,
Mom

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

9 November, 2011

Dear Max,
You are now 6 months old! Time has flown by, I can't believe it. You cut your first tooth just one week ago. It's on the bottom left in the front. You immediately knew it's meant for biting. Every time I stick my finger in your mouth, you chomp down with that little tooth.
You are so close to crawling it's unbelievable. You haven't quite figured it out, but you want to so badly. When you can't crawl when you want to, you get very frustrated and cry.
You almost crawled the other day. I sat there holding my breath watching you. I nearly burst into tears of pride. I've never been more amazed and proud of anything. Watching you grow and learn is the greatest thing I've yet to experience.
We had your 6 month check up last week. Dr. Gehle said you have such a perfect face you should be a model. And she said that you are very advanced for your age. Of course I was beaming with pride.
You still love your mommy and daddy equally, but you prefer us best when we're all together as a family. When we're all together you smile so much.
Last night your dad came home for ten minutes between shifts and gave you a kiss just before bed. You gave him the biggest grin. It was like your night wasn't complete without seeing him too.
You have yet to laugh out loud. Your dad tries so hard to make you giggle. Instead you sort of grunt, and often squeal instead. It makes him so mad! You're so close, but you just won't do it.
Your dad loves being able to be home with you two days a week. You two just have your guy time and you both enjoy every second.
You seem to nap and sleep better for your dad though. The other day you slept in until 11:00am when your dad was home with you. I couldn't believe it! You never sleep past 8:00am for me. And you nap like a champ for your dad. I can barely get you to take a nap. People tell me it's because you want to spend time with me.
We just introduced you to your crib. You don't like it just yet. It seems too roomy and you tend to get your arms stuck in the side. You're always in there, rolling around instead of going to bed.
You've made my greatest fear as a parent come true. When I tell you "No!" because you're playing in the blinds or pulling my hair, you just turn and smile big at me. Though it's cute and I can't help but smile back, I can't believe how naughty you can be! On the other hand, when your dad tells you "No!" your little bottom lip pouts out and you stop doing whatever you were doing. Silly little boy!
I'm so proud of you. I look forward to all of your milestones, but I don't want you to grow up too quickly. I'm trying to cherish every moment because I know it won't last forever.
I love you so much!

Love Always,
Mom

Sunday, October 9, 2011

28 September, 2011

Dear Max,
You are now 5 months old! You have been growing in leaps and bounds.
Just a little over two weeks ago we were in Oregon and had bought you a bunch of new clothes to wear. Now you don't fit in half of them!
Nearly every day you do something new. I love watching you grow and learn.
For almost a month now you've been saying "mama" off and on. Occasionally you even say "hi" back to your dad and I, which just makes our day!
You started rolling over three weeks ago. Every time we put you down you immediately start to roll over. At first you would roll over and a big look of pride would come across your face. But you're in such a rush to start crawling, you usually end up getting angry that you're now on your tummy but can't seem to get where you want to be! You sometimes lift up like you're about to crawl, but just can't seem to get the hang of it just yet.
You started sitting up on your own at 3 months, but since you're just not strong enough to sit unsupported, you usually lean forward and kiss your toes. But you're almost there! Soon you'll be sitting and crawling, and I will be chasing you all over the place. For now, I just love having you in my arms and you seem to be so happy there too.
On September 8th you took your first plane ride to Portland, Oregon. You did great! When we were standing in line to get on the plane you started to fuss loudly. Because of this, no one wanted to sit next to us on the plane. But you fooled them! You were a perfect angel the entire flight.
While in Oregon, you and your dad walked in the ocean. You didn't seem to love it there since it's so cold.
You also went to the West Coast Game Park in Bandon where you got to pet a baby leopard, a baby tiger, a skunk, and you got to "ride" a ram (with your dad's help of course).
As you grow and I start to think about your future, I really hope you'll understand the importance of family in your life. We will always love you no matter what. And we'll always be here for you. Some day you will most likely be a big brother. I hope you'll have a great relationship with your siblings. I know they will look up to you and look to you for advice. I also know you will be a great example to them.
I hope you don't ever forget where you come from and how much you're loved.

Love Always,
Mom

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

20 September, 2011

Dear Max,
 I will never forget the moment you were born. You were absolutely perfect! Your dad followed you over to be weighed and cleaned up, then I got to hold you in my arms. You looked up at me with your big, blue eyes and stopped crying. I felt so much love for you. A love I never knew existed.
You changed my life for the better. Because of you, not only do I want to be the best mom, I want to be the best person I can be. You inspire me to work hard and do everything I can to make you happy.
Your smile is my favorite part of each day. You are funny, smart and handsome.
Long before I met you, I knew you were meant to be mine. I was sitting down one day when I suddenly felt a strong sense that someone was on the other side waiting to come to earth. That someone was you! Immediately I knew it was time to become a mom. I was terrified, I'll admit. I didn't know if I had what it takes. I still wonder that sometimes. But after the moment we met, I knew I would do anything for you, no matter what.
You have a laugh that is contagious. You are sensitive and sweet. You make me happier than anyone ever could.
It breaks my heart how fast you're growing up. I want to be able to hold you in my arms forever.
I worry so much about you, about your future. Will you understand how much we love you? Will you know how amazing you really are?  Will you see your potential and ignore the harsh world that will tell you that you that can't when you really can?
I dread the first time you will feel heartache. I would do anything to protect you from it. But I can't.
I kiss you as much as I can every day because I know in the not too distant future you won't let me do it any more.

No matter where life takes you, and no matter what you experience, just know that you are loved more than you can understand. Even if we're far apart, I will always love you and you will always matter to me.
You gave my life purpose. Thank you for being you.

Love Always,
Mom