Dear Nadia,Today you are 10 months old. With the exception of the last week (we'll get to that later), every month seems to be better than the last. Every couple of weeks I say to your dad, "y'know, it just keeps getting easier, I think this is my favourite age." No really, I really do say that.
This is the month during which you took your first solo steps. We were playing in our newly constructed fortress of solitude when suddenly you threw your arms up in the air and ran the length of the rectangle. Yes, ran. You don't walk when you go on your own, you run, to the nearest piece of furniture or person. You also like to run while holding on to one of our hands..... just one of course. You are very quick to shake your other hand loose like, mom, I am so over the two hand walking.
I still wouldn't say you're walking, but with every day you get a little more steady on your feet and can stand for longer periods of time without leaning whilst inspecting a toy. Inspecting for what, you might ask? Well it seems that cause and effect, as well as different dimensions, are finally of interest to you. Sometimes you will turn a single toy back to front over and over, just to see if each side will still be different. Hmm, how interesting.
Recently you have started repeating back "words" and a few signs when I say/use them. You still haven't figured out how to use this knowledge to make requests, but I imagine that's not far away. When I ask you if you want numnum, you start repeating "mummum," with your hand over your mouth, and will even walk me to your high chair if we're in the area. You also say a version of mummum in reference to me, but it's slightly different, at least to my ears. When you see your cow you start chanting "mmmmm," when asked if you want your bum-bum changed you holler "ummum" and walk me to your room and a couple of times you have said "daaa-da" when your dad has walked in the house. So that's why I say "words." You're definitely trying. As for signs, you will rub your eyes when asked if you're sleepy and will do the milk sign when asked if you want a nurse. How it must all be so confusing as so many words start with "m" or end in "um" and waving hi is like waving bye is like the sign for milk. But you manage to do it all.
As seen here, you can open your mouth and stick your tongue out on command. This is one of the many reasons things just keep getting better. It is obvious that you understand so much more now. Sometimes I wonder how this possible as I too often catch myself stuck in inner dialogue and then am like, oh, um, I guess I should talk to the kid.... something about how they need to hear speech in order to use it. Huh. Despite my dunsery, you know the names of many of your toys, as well as parts of your body. Again, how? I often scratch my head.
Let's see... what other tricks can I include in my brag letter. Well, you do spontaneous patty-cake, always quick to toss it in the oven, you can kick a ball, or rather, stomp on one and try fancy footwork until it pops up and you can give kisses when you are so inclined. I should mention, though, that you may want to refine those kisses once you get to school age. I'm sure there are rules somewhere about licking peoples' faces. Just a tip, but we love them for now!
You are still afraid of strange things from time to time, like the empty wrapping paper tube. When it was sitting near the door of our spare room, you wouldn't go in there and if I did unwittingly bring you in, you would whine the entire time, with your eyes locked on the ominous brown stick. But then you were quick to reach out and try to pet what you found to be hilarious neighbourhood kittens. You make no sense.
Here you are in your car. You love it. It is the only toy that you care about being taken away. You love being pushed around in it and especially love when it bumps into things. Other things you find hilarious are your cow being thrown into the air and our newest game of me putting my hand on your chest and asking who you are and you responding, "i'mmama." Haha. The boss? Maybe. The mama? Not just yet.Now, as for the past few days. Maybe it has been the stress of Christmas or the stress of our upcoming move, but I have not been feeling well and you, in turn, have not been your usual eat-everything-in-sight and happy-as-long-as-I'm-fed-and-not-tired self. It's hard to say what came first, my mood or yours, but I'm trying to remedy at least the former. I'd hate to think that you're picking up on my funk. You really are a sweet child, what with picking up invisible pieces of fuzz from the floor and gently putting them in my hand without my asking, and giving loves to your animals by resting your head on them when put in your arms. I will try to do better.
Love,
Love,M.
