Ten Months

Evan.  I command you to stop growing.

For. Real.

I woke up this morning and realized that in exactly two months you will be one.  ONE.   And that's just not possible.  Didn't together we just learn the ropes of nursing last week?

Girlfriend, your little personality has really started to show up this month.  And I thought your brother was spunky.  When something happens in your vicinity that you don't like, you aren't afraid to shoot the perpatrator a dirty look.  If someone (including me) invades your personal space, the little arms come a swingin' until you've batted the offending face away.  But you still shriek and smile and babble and are pure lovliness.

What else have you picked up this month?  Only how to be mobile.  You don't crawl just yet, but you get up on your hands and knees and rock back and forth until you flop down on your belly.  Then ya just push yourself backwards or roll around until you get where (or what) you wanted. You're really trying to pull yourself up, but as you can see from the picture, there is a lot to pull up so your little arms aren't quite strong enough for you to make it all the way up.  You wave, clap, and give kisses with the best of them.  You will sit and watch your brother's shenannagins all the live long day.

And when that brother turns his attention towards you?  Heaven. It's a good thing he loves to lavish it on you.  You are the first thing he asks about in the morning and relishes his "special job that God gave him" of being the big brother- making sure you are okay when Mom isn't around.  It's been told to me that when you fuss in other people's car he will speak loving and gentle words to comfort you. "It's okay Evan.  Mom will be back soon.  It's okay.  You're a sweet girl."  Does this Momma some good.

Evie girl, you can eat with the best of them.  Sometimes you even out-eat Luke.  You will eat just about anything put in front of you: fruit, veggies, bread, pasta.  I need to start you on meats, I've just not been in any rush.  The only- and I mean ONLY- thing I've ever seen you turn down was steamed broccoli.  We were at a restaurant for lunch after church last week and I accidentally got only broccoli as a side.  Being a selfish sneaky mom, I thought I could unload some of them on to your plate.  You took one bite, scowled, and scraped that broccoli off your tongue as fast as you could.  It was the funniest thing!  All that food has kept your poundage up.  I'm guessing you are at least 21 lbs now.  You wear size 12 month clothes, size 3 diaper, and still nurse about 5 times a day.  That number will be going down soon though.  I started you on milk in a cup yesterday, and you loved it.  This is a good thing, I am not able to pump as much in the afternoons as I used to, so the milk will be a good afternoon snack.  With everything else you eat.

Baby girl, I love you.  I'm trying to be better about stopping at night to sit with you, rock you while you nurse, and just freeze it all in my head.  This has gone by way to fast, and I know that next time I look up you will be too big to sit with me.  I can't wait to see who you become, but the rate at which it's happening is alarming.  Hurts my momma heart, but such is the bitter sweetness of raising children.  I love you, my girl.  All the live long day.

At the grocery store.  I still enjoy wearing you.  All 20+ pounds of you.