Today we had our last soccer game of the season. I was talking to the wife of one of the player’s and she commented what a ‘good’ baby you are. I do not think babies are good or bad, though perhaps some are easier than others. Your dad and I don’t have much to compare you to, but we certainly think you seem to be on the easier end of the spectrum compared to others. Regardless, the lady and I were reminiscing to a game this spring when she had so much fun keeping an eye on you while your dad and I played. At that time you were not really mobile and she enjoyed holding you in her arms. At today’s game I sat you on my lap in the grass and we watched the game together. You were clapping and smiling, and even watching the game. When your dad and I were both in the game, some other players would watch you and you’d impress them with your ability to pick up the tiny blades of grass and study them endlessly, or with how good you could stand when supported, and how content you were to just sit and observe everything going on around you.

You’ve become a main fixture on the sideline. Everyone gets so excited to see you each week, and there’s never a shortage of people wanting to hold you and play with you. Today as I was dashing out of the house I decided to grab the pink Adidas jacket that is part of a tracksuit you were given by Aunt Nancy and Cousin Ali. You’d never worn it before; it’s a size 12 month and I figured it’d be way too big. But you’ve been growing so much that I thought it might work, and it fit you pretty well! It’s amazing to think that next season, in the spring, you’ll be fitting into that outfit or almost outgrowing it, and you’ll be walking or even running up and down the sidelines.

After the game we had a BBQ at our house. You enjoyed playing and swinging with everyone. Kate especially had fun with you when you’d show her your trick of sticking your tongue out and blowing. She’d do it back at you, and you two kept going back and forth, tongues sticking out and sputtering spit. It was hilarious.

Nana and papa spent the night last night and were anxious to hang out with you today. Papa’s going to Nevada on Monday for a couple weeks to help Uncle Kyle on his house, so he wanted to get in lots of time with you before he left. He always says that we can bring you in to their room first thing in the morning when you wake up, but I felt bad doing that at 5 am when you first woke up, and then again at 7 am. So we brought you into bed with us at 7 and snuggled and played for a bit, then we all got up and came out the kitchen, and there was papa, waiting for you. He asked why we didn’t bring you out sooner!

We all played for a while, or watched you play, to be more exact. You’re still spending most of your time using things to support you as you scramble up to a standing position. You like to use your piano and your Exercauser for this, which is unfortunate because that is definitely not a very stable object for you to be pulling yourself up on.

After a bit of time your dad and papa decided to get some yardwork done, and you joined nana and me on a shopping adventure. At the store we picked out an elephant Halloween costume for you. There were many cute costumes and it was hard to choose, but since we have an elephant theme going on in the room, and since you’d be able to wear the pink and white striped tights and pink shirt again, I figured the elephant would be the best. When we got home I put it on you, and you were adorable. For a few minutes you just sat there and kept pulling on the ears. One time you pulled so hard you knocked yourself over! You didn’t seem to pay any notice to the trunk. I was sure that was the part that would grab your attention, but you didn’t try to grab it once. After a bit the novelty of your new outfit wore off and you just resumed playing and crawling around. When you crawl the ears droop forward and the trunk hangs to the ground, and the little tail on the back pops up, and you look like the cutest little elephant around.

Your dad and I haven’t had many experiences with babies, and though at one time (not long ago!) that frightened me, now I relish our naiveté. Rather than comparing you to other babies, your actions are purely yours without the implications or impressions of relating your developments with others. There are things about you that I’ve registered and thought about, but never pondered much in relation to other babies.

Your dad and I have commented to each other many times that you have strong, coordinated legs that you like to move and kick a lot. You’re able to pick items up with your feet and bring them to your hands, something that you’ve been able to do for months. You’re able to stand for seemingly endless amounts of time, and when you’re the most upset you kick and kick and kick your legs. And even twelve months ago when you were in my belly, you seemed to be really active, making your presence known with what I assumed to be kicks. As more and more people call attention to your leg strength and coordination, we’re having fun imagining that all of this leg activity is a sign that you’re a budding soccer star.

Another noteworthy development is how vocal you are. You love to talk and babble away. Oftentimes when your dad walks you with the dogs in the morning you talk the entire time. And when we’re at home and you see something that interests you, you stare at it and tell me all about it. Even when you eat, with virtually every bite you make an ‘ummmm’ sound. I’d never pondered much how much you like to talk, but last weekend Uncle Brett commented on the fact that you’re very vocal compared to your Cousin Kyle. We’re sure having fun watching you grow and develop, and learning all about your unique personality.

For weeks now I’ve been looking forward to taking you to the pumpkin patch. We go every year, usually taking your furry brothers and letting them run around the fields while we search for the perfect pumpkins. It is one of few traditions that we’ve done for many years, and it’s one that I’ve envisioned doing with you for awhile. We bundled you up and headed there this evening. They had little wagons for us to use, and we placed you in one and wheeled it out to the field. You contentedly rode along, though I had to help you stay sitting up since it was so bumpy.

In the field you were intrigued by the spooky scarecrows scattered around, and we captured your awe perfectly in a picture with one of them.

We left you in the wagon while we picked out some pumpkins, and you were happy just sitting there, taking in the view and eating the edge of the wagon. We picked out two big pumpkins and a little one for you. Last year we did the same, two big ones for us and a teeny tiny one for you. Next year I imagine that you’ll help us pick your own pumpkin.

You’re constantly outgrowing things now. Literally something that fits you one day will not fit you the next time I try it on, only a few days later. And accessories are not excluded; hats, socks and shoes seem to be outgrown at record pace. I’ve finally gotten a handle on the constant shifting of your wardrobe, of moving clothes out and into the garage, and of moving larger sizes into the rotation. But there are a few precious items that are my favorites, articles that I just cannot bring myself to relegate to the garage. For now they’re still hanging in the closet or neatly stacked on a shelf. I’m on the lookout for something perfect to contain them, a special box or bag to hold my memories.

There’s the pink flowered onesie that I bought for your one-week photo shoot; it was the first item I bought for my little girl (rather than the many that I’d bought for the gender-neutral purposes of all those first clothes I bought). There’s the too-cute yellow wool sweater with matching bonnet that your nana gave you, the blue sweater and matching hat that Kristy and Addie loaned us, the elephant hat, and tiny ballet slippers, the white outfit you came home from the hospital in. The problem is that the list goes on and on, and thus grows my stack of favorite things.

Tonight we introduced you to kale. I myself was only introduced to kale a couple of years ago when we received it in our Door to Door Organics weekly box. Your dad looked up recipes and ended up making me kale chips. At the time I was certain I wouldn’t like them, but after I tried them I was hooked. I crave kale chips every few weeks or so and beg your dad to make them for me. So I was excited to see what you thought of it. We steamed it and pureed it for you, then served it up. And just like all of the other foods, you ate it all up. It was a little messy because you seemed to be juicing it as you ate it; a little stream of green juice came running out of your mouth and down your chin after every bite.

This evening when I got home from work you and your nana were out front waiting for me as usual. And today you matched! You both had on your pink Converse shoes, and pink vests, and I just couldn’t resist the photo op. Too cute.

Nana stayed to watch the Broncos game, so we put you in a Broncos outfit too. You wore the sweatsuit Uncle Brett gave you, but you had to go to bed before the game even began.

Today we met nana, papa, Brett and Kyle at the Museum of Nature and Science. We love this museum, though we haven’t been there with you until today. We spent most of our time walking through the exhibits displaying animals from different areas, and you seemed genuinely fascinated by all of the sights. We also walked through a display of dinosaurs, and you got really excited looking at them, waving your arms and squealing in excitement. We then stopped by one of my favorite areas where you can peer into the laboratory and watch the paleontologists work to clean off fossils. You stood up and looked in, pressing your face to the glass in curiosity, and pounding on the glass with joy. Maybe you’ll be a paleontologist!

Today you went on your first train. It was a Galloping Goose, so I’m not sure if it entirely qualifies as a ‘train’ ride, but it operates on the train tracks and so I think it counts. You really liked it, and I think the soft rocking almost put you to sleep. You had lots more fun today playing with your uncle, cousin and nana and papa.

We had a fun day just hanging out with Brett, Kyle, nana and papa. We went out for breakfast then went on your first tour of NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research). You had a lot to say during the tour, and so we broke off from the main tour and went on our own mini-tour. You seemed pretty interested in a lot of the displays, and one lady came up to us and said, “It’s never too early to introduce them to science”. I couldn’t agree more!