dear pailyn, on the last night of your single digit age (in months):
i love you.
i love your mamamamamama chatter (that isn't even always whining anymore)
i love how daddy and i, without really acknowledging it, see who can get to you first in the morning when we hear that you're awake. oh.at.the.grin.on.a.just.awake.roo.in.her.crib!
i love how you hear the door in the afternoon and begin looking for your big kids & how you light up when they walk in to greet you. i love how they love it when you show your excitement that they're home from school.
i love how the only time you crawl is to get to something to cruise. and how tonight you took a couple steps several times going after stuff daddy & i were tempting you with. any day now!
i love how those two bottom teeth are in enough now that they show when you flash that big pailyn grin at anyone who will smile back.
i love how there is a third (top right) that made it's appearance through the gums just yesterday. and that you handle teething like a champ! (this is the 29 days after cutting her second and 54 days after her first according to my tweets)
i love how your favorite toys are bennett's matchbox cars on his play table in the den (don't worry i inspect them & supervise) along with the empty boxes my portrait orders come in.
i love that this past month you've had a few near spitup-free days. i love that when you are a spitup queen that it doesn't bother you a bit.
i love that your thighs are the shortest, most compact, juicy little parts of your butterball body!
i love that you think bathtime is the bestest part of your day & will play in the tub or sink for as long as i will let you and how you sometimes cry as if to tell me i'm mean for bringing it to an end when i get you out.
i love how you cover every square inch of the den playing each day. i love that you've figured out there is more to the house than just the den & how you've begun venturing out. i love how you are able to navigate the drop down step like a pro & that you have no fear...i love that now because you are watched over...not sure how this fearlessness will play out in the future?
i love how you recognize particular lead in songs to the shows we watch, like hannah montana and reba & how you stop dead in your tracks to lock onto the tv & how you break out the dance moves whether sitting or standing. and how while dancing you'll look to make sure you have an audience.
i love that even though you aren't a 'lap' baby, you humor me at bedtime & let me rock you while you have a bottle & how even if you don't fall asleep you lie still & let me rock you for a bit before getting tucked into your crib.
i love how you sleep through the night. every.night.
i love how you are able to feed yourself snacks (puffs, pinwheels, a pinch of ritz) in your highchair while i cook supper each night. i love that you've finally figured out the sippy cup & how you think watered down low sugar apple juice is the best thing to ever cross your lips.
i love your lips, and how you do them just like this.
did i mention i love you? i do. so.so much!
this thanksgiving, i'm thankful for so many things...one of which is you...my roo.
xoxo.momma