Newsletter: Aspen Month Nine

Dear Aspen,

A few days ago you turned nine months old. This means that you have been outside of my womb for as long as you were inside it. At first it seemed you didn’t like it on this side that much, but in the last month you have turned into one of the most giggly, tender and joyous creatures that ever lived. You have finally warmed up to your relatives and not just mommy and daddy.

In the last month we have met Aspen The Person. You are no longer this little blob of a thing that I take care of and wipe up, but this flailing, wiggly little personality that likes certain things and really, really doesn’t like other things. You like sweet potatoes. You dislike green beans but if daddy feeds them to you eat them. This really annoys me. Daddy can get you to eat anything! To my delight I usually give him the honors since; you always eat better for him. You love your big brother more than anyone else. He cracks you up. You do not like it when he snuggles with you. I have to admit his idea of snuggling is a bit rough. However, the second he stops you look at him like you are very disappointed then you both giggle!

In the last week you just started waving. You do not always do the motion but you put your arm up and squeal in delight. You have never been prouder of yourself. You crawl with great skill although your favorite new trick is to stand. Most of the time it scares me half to death but you have, thankfully, mastered the skill of falling backwards gracefully.

It seems as though you have been teething for the last few months straight. You have 4 teeth with 2 more on their way. Teething makes you want to gnaw on anything you can get your hands on. Often you use me as your prime target, not all the teething rings I have purchased or toys I hand you. You have drawn blood several times and yet I still love you more today than yesterday. See that’s the beauty of being a mother. You always love your children, no matter what, even when they hurt you! Last week your father woke up to you biting his arm. His first instinct was to flick you as he was half awake and you were hurting him. You slept through the whole thing. We are praying your teeth come in soon, for everyone’s sake.

Last week was awful as we lost the family pet Cracker. You had taken to him more than anyone else. You are still reeling from his passing. Every night at dinner you still drop your Cheerios and look for him to come eat it up. Cracker always made you giggle. You see your father and I didn’t realize what type of messes you were really capable of until he was no longer here to clean up. Turns out the messes are quite large.

This month you said your first word. Da Da! At first your father and I thought it was a fluke. No fluke here. You look at daddy and say Da Da with the biggest grin on your face. You do like to say it all the time but when daddy is around you look straight at him and smile. Although this is fantastic it breaks my heart. I like to think that you have said his name first because that's what daddy's need. I like to think that is how you and he connect not because you love him more but because you need him to connect so instinctively you say his name first. I'll let you in on a secret. It worked. Your father beams with pride every time you say his name or demand his attention. You have your daddy wrapped around your finger.

I love you, Aspen. I love that when I leave the room you get upset and when I return it is though your world has just gotten a whole lot brighter. Aspen, I will always come back to you.

Love,
Mama