Dear Elliot -- 14 Months

Dear Elliot,

Okay, so I'll admit, I'm horrible at keeping up with my letters to you.  Sorry, son.  Here's a recap of what has happened over the last 3 months.  

Obviously on May 22, 2013, you turned one.  It was a joyous day.  We celebrated by having Grandma Carolyn come to California for a week.  We had your birthday party on May 24, 2013.  You had so many friends there!  It was a rock star party, because well, you're our little rock star!  You love daddy's drum sticks.  They are most definitely your favorite toy.  

We made a trip to Utah for two weeks.  Yes, another trip to Utah.  Get used to it.  You seemed to love it.  We played with cousins, grandmas, aunts, uncles, and papa.  

As of today, you are only walking when you decide you want to.  I know you know how, and you can totally do it, you just have no desire to.  You'd rather crawl.  I'm good with whatever makes you happy. 

You don't say much.  A few uh-oh's here and there and occasionally a mama or dada.  I think Scarlet does most of the talking for you, especially since she never seems to stop talking.  

We still adore you.  You are the snuggliest baby I've ever seen.  Your daddy loves it.  So do I.  You are so fun and I'm so grateful that I get to watch  you grow each and every day.  You'll never cease to amaze me.

Love,

Mom

P.S.  I have a confession to make.  I really miss our midnight rendezvous.  I miss holding you while you would sleep/eat.  I was the only one who could soothe you back to sleep.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're sleeping through the night, it's just those little things that I miss.  Maybe every once in a while you could fall asleep while snuggling?

Dear Elliot -- 11 Months

Dear Elliot,

I just cannot even believe that you are already 11 months old.  Time is flying!  This last month of your life has been extremely eventful.  On your 10-month birthday, we flew to Utah and stayed for three weeks.  Your dad and I expected you to change a lot while we were in Utah, but we had no idea just how much it would actually be.  

Within the first three or four days in Utah, you had two teeth break through!  They were your very first teeth.  I wish I had a picture of what they looked like.  One is a side tooth, and the other is a middle tooth with a space in between.  You like kind of funny, but oh so cute!  

You also started pulling yourself up to a standing position.  I knew it wouldn't be long until you were finally crawling and walking.  By the end of our trip, you were crawling all over the place.  

This last month has definitely brought a lot of change in your life and by the way you are acting, it seems there will be a lot more change in the near future.  I can't believe how fast you are growing up.  You are even sleeping like a big boy too.  You no longer want to be swaddled (finally).  You always loved having the blankets tight around you, but now you just want to be able to roll around and sleep on your tummy.  

One more month and we get to celebrate your first year of life!  We are going to have a grand party for you. Elliot, I sure do adore you.  You make me so happy!

Love,

Mommy.

Dear Elliot -- 9 Months

 Dear Elliot,

You are nine months old today.  Time is going by way too fast! I know I say that all the time, but for some reason, it seems to be going faster now that you're around.

You and Scarlet are now starting to be best friends.  I'm so glad you're starting to like each other.  You love to watch her and you think most everything she does is hilarious.

You have started saying, "dada", "mama", and "Bubba".  You also started clapping recently which is one of my most favorite things you have learned how to do.

This last month was riddled with sickness between you and your sister.  We had to make a few trips to the doctor, but thankfully you seem to be doing much better now.

For the last few nights you have been sleeping 8 or more hours.  It's about time!  Just today you decided it would be okay to drink from a sippy cup.  You are definitely growing up.  You have also started getting really close to crawling.  I'm sure you'll be zooming around the house in no time.  That scares me a little.  I think having two kids has been somewhat easy for me because you have been confined to one spot.  Now that I'll be chasing two around?  I think I might have my hands full.  

You are definitely still such a happy little guy. You are usually always smiling and laughing.  I said it before and I'll say it again, I am so glad you are a part of this family.  You bring us so much joy!  

I'll love you always and forever, Bubba.

Love, 

Mom

Dear Elliot -- 8 Months

Dear Elliot,

Well, you are now 8 months old.  I'm still in shock that you are that old already.  We are getting closer to your first birthday and you better believe I've already started thinking about the theme for your party.  

Over the last month we traveled to Utah for about 10 days and then back to California.  On our way back to California, we got stuck in traffic.  I think we were going about 5 miles an hour.  If that.  We decided to pull over in Primm, Nevada and let you and Scarlet have a break from being in your car seats.  You loved it.  I let you sit in the driver's seat and you were just smiling and laughing.  That's your typical countenance, but you were exceptionally happy at that moment.  

You are just growing up way too fast!  You are a pro at sitting up at your own now.  I think within a few more weeks you should be getting ready to crawl.  That scares me a little.

We just moved you to a bigger car seat since your infant seat was too  heavy for me with you in it.  You absolutely love your new seat.  You can watch your sister and you two giggle at each other as I drive down the street.

You adore Scarlet.  However, I'm not sure she feels the same way.  She does love you, you just occupy my attention which in turn makes her upset.  Apparently I need to be cloned or something so I can provide enough attention and one-on-one time for both of you.  I try my best to make sure you know that you are loved though.  You are.  You're amazingly wonderful!

Little Bubba, I hope you always know just how special you are.  You have brought such a light into my life and I'm beyond grateful to have you.... even if you still won't sleep through the night.  Keep smiling and laughing!

Love always and forever,

Mom

p.s.  It would be okay if at this point in your life you wanted to start saying, "mama."  Just saying.