Today your dad golfed and you and I had a girl’s day with Ann Marie. We went for a nice walk, did some shopping, had lunch, and took you to a playground. You were not interested in the equipment, and in fact you barely even enjoyed the soft, cushy surface, and instead focused your attention on picking up rocks and leaves. You also enjoyed watching all the kids running about. I did manage to take you down the slide and it was your first ride down a big kid’s slide. You seemed impartial about it.

This evening your dad and I attend Kim’s rehearsal dinner and Ann Marie watched you; this was the first time we’ve left you with someone other than nana and papa or the nannies. She had lots of fun playing with you, and I think you had lots of fun with her too. She loves you so much and I know she really enjoys getting to spend time with you. And she is so great with kids; she’s creative and goofy, smart and patient. We’ll have to figure out a way for her to babysit more often!

This afternoon we officially became ‘those people’ on the plane with a super fussy baby. The flight was at the time of your nap and so I’d hoped that you’d nurse and then fall asleep, but instead you nursed and then became unable to fall asleep and, therefore, really fussy. The seatbelt sign seemed to be on for three-quarters of the flight, and so I wasn’t able to just get up and walk around with you, which I’m sure would’ve helped you settle. By the time the seatbelt sign did come off, you’d finally fallen asleep. But not before the lady sitting next to us asked to move seats. When we landed and were waiting to get off the plane, a woman in the row in front of us made the comment, “At least we know she has healthy lungs.” I cannot dispute that.

After we landed in Chicago, Ann Marie picked us up and drove us to the hotel. We arrived right when grandma and grandpa arrived, and they were being welcomed by Uncle Denny, Aunt Nancy and Cousin Kim. We all had some appetizers and drinks, and everyone was so happy to finally get to meet you. Nancy and Kim had bought you some toys, and even though you were fussy and sleepy on the drive there, you seemed to find your second wind once the toys came out; you played and crawled and let everyone hold you. It’s so nice to be here in Chicago with everyone from your dad’s side of the family.

Nancy mentioned to me today that you are starting to understand that leaves and grass are not for eating. She’s been working on this with you for a while, telling you ‘no’ or ‘yucky’ or other words of dissuasion whenever you bring these objects to your lips. Today she indicated that in the last couple of days you’re trying less and less frequently to eat them, but rather just enjoy picking them up and examining them. She did say, though, that today you picked up a leaf, examined it, and then brought it close to your mouth and looked at Nancy for her reaction, as though you were testing her and wanting to see her reaction.

When I got home this afternoon I could tell immediately that your nana had been having fun with your hair. She’d put some water in it and created a big curl in the middle and on top of your head. I cannot deny that you looked pretty cute. She’s having so much fun playing with your hair, and is anxiously awaiting future days when you’ll have long locks to play with. You two will have endless fun playing dress up and discovering new ways to do your hair. But so far she’s been a little limited.

Your hair tends to fall to the right, and that’s how I usually sweep it so it’s out of your face. One day when I got home she’d parted your hair down the middle, but also created bangs. You looked so goofy. She’s also tried to put a barrette in your hair, but to no avail since your hair is too short and fine to contain it. Today she told me how she used to tape little yarn bows in my hair when I was little. When I asked how she got the bow out without hurting me by pulling out my hair, she nicely said that I didn’t have very much hair and it wasn’t really a problem. I think that’s why she’s having so much fun playing with your hair!

You aren’t much of a snuggler anymore. I remember back in those first few months you’d fall asleep on me more often than not. At that time you fell asleep virtually every time I nursed you, and in fact I’d have to work to try and keep you awake to ensure you’d get a good feeding. I remember that before I’d feed you and hunker down on the couch, I’d gather up everything I might need for the next hour or so (phone, remote control, water all nearby) and then I’d nurse you. Inevitably you’d fall asleep and I had neither the desire nor the willpower to move you off of me and place you down in your bed. You’d sleep on me for literally hours a day.

Now you are so active that I can barely contain you. Often when I try to hold you to me you wiggle and squirm so much that I have to put you down for fear of dropping you. The only time that you are snuggly is when you are very sleepy. Therefore it is almost me exclusively who still gets some snuggle time with you. When I nurse you at night or before naptimes you either fall asleep while I’m holding you or else you’re so relaxed that you let me hold you and rock you while we read a book together. I certainly relish this quiet time together and I know these moments will become less and less frequent as you continue to grow and become more active and independent.

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.