a few things about you

dear monkey bear,

you are growing up right before my eyes, changing every day. last weekend you figured out how to get back into a sitting position from your tummy or your hands and kneew. i noticed it on sunday morning. i had left on your tummy in the living room for a few seconds, and when i came back in you were sitting up. i did a double take, but you were nonchalant about it. no big deal, ma. except that you kept doing in again and again, so i knew you were proud of your accomplishment. i forgot to mention your new skill to your daycare teachers on monday, and when i went to pick you up they went on about how all day you kept demonstrating your fine new skill.

this morning you really put me to the test as i tried to change your diaper. you would not sit still. i finally stood you up and held you in one place as i got the diaper positioned around your bottom, then laid you down to quickly fasten it up before you crawled off again. afterward, i gave you some positive reinforcement with a big smile and a round of clapping. you surprised me by clapping right along, as if you'd always been able to clap your hands. you continued to clap your hands all day just for practice, and also when something pleased you. (you clapped for daddy after he finished playing you a song on his guitar.) you are really going to floor your daycare teachers on monday with that one.

a few more things about you:

-you like apples, pears, spinach, carrots, sweet potatos, winter squash, summer squash, lentils, and various concoctions made from these things--like apple with blueberry, pear and raspberry, spinach and potatoes, etc.

-you only like pureed baby food so far, nothing chunky; you have spit out the banana mush, hard boiled egg yolk, and mashed avocado i've given you.

-you still don't have any teeth.

-you love plain yogurt mixed with pureed fruit, but you've only been eating it for about a week and you've developed a skin rash on your face, so we'll probably need to take a break and try again later.

-last night you ate a good dinner, had your bath as usual, then nursed for a long time and drank a lot of milk. you were out, and when i put you on my shoulder to burp you, you made a funny gurgling noise. then you heaved all that warm milk and baby food all over both of us. you didn't seem to feel sick; right after throwing up you smiled and laughed. i had to call daddy to change you while i changed myself. it was a lot of puke for someone so small. really, it was a lot.

-daddy sent me a message on my cell phone last week. he sent me a picture of you wearing your sunglasses, and this message: "i love him. i love him. i love him."