Letter to my Baby: Week 43

Week 43:  Wednesday, July 20

Dear Ryder,

We are now into double-digit months!  And this has been a big month for you too.  You finally learned how to crawl!  For weeks you were scooting and rocking but on July 14th you figured it all out and took off across the floor!  We haven’t been able to stop you since.  You look so pleased with yourself now that you can go places you want to go and have great fun following daddy and momma around the house.

Earlier this month we went on a road trip to the UT Shakespeare Festival.  This is a tradition for momma and daddy every year.  We were so proud of you for doing good on the car ride, you only got upset right at the very end.  Granni and Poppa and your cousin Richie met us in Cedar City.  You had a good time playing with them, and Richie especially could make you giggle.

Momma really enjoys watching you learn new social skills.  This month you started giving out “wrinkly-twinkly” smiles.  Your top teeth are starting to come in, which makes your cheesy grin that much more cute.  You also do fake coughs and laughs when you want to get our attention.  

You also like to “share” with momma and daddy.  Sometimes you will hand us toys, but your favorite thing to do is to put things into our mouths or take things out of our mouths and put it into yours.  Daddy likes to do this with food, he will hold the tip of a cracker or piece of fruit in his lips and you will grab it with your pincers.  You will then laugh happily that you got it before popping it into your mouth to eat.     

The other day when we were at Target we saw ‘your’ blanket at the store.  You get very excited and reached out to hold it.  When I gave it to you, you snuggled your face into the folds and grinned at me.  It sometimes takes me by surprise how much you understand and recognize in the world around you.

You have also decided you love balloons.  You were given an orange balloon and would not let it go.  You even had to hold onto it to eat!

You are still our baby orangatang.  You love to be held, especially by daddy.  You cling to our shirts when you aren’t feeling too sure about something.  The other day I held you while vacuuming the floor.  You were fascinated by the sound and wanted to hold the cord, but also held on tight to my shirt, just to make sure you were safe from the noisy machine.  You tolerate momma and daddy hugging you, although you really only snuggle when you are tired and ready for sleep.  

Every day you make me appreciate the world.  I love you baby!

Momma