only a mother

could love this face ...

in the midst of getting 2 (maybe 3?) teeth there is no lack of fluid oozing from your sweet face. drool. snot.  and of course, tears.  after a long night or a nap, where an extended period of time has lapsed without a nose and/or mouth wipe, it's often not pretty.  

we had a 4, nearly 5 month hiatus from teething and you are definitely making up for lost time. and you're about as happy about it as the picture might suggest.  i find i don't know what to do with you because your usually happy and content self are anything but lately.  here's to hoping they won't ALL be like this.

it's all over

while you were a little late doing the crawling thing, you have quickly caught up in the getting around arena.  you didn't crawl until 10 months of age but in the last month you have quickly picked up on standing yourself up, walking along furniture and even climbing stairs.  while it's fun to see you explore this new found talent, i fear life as we know it is over.  because while your abilities are new and exciting, what you want to do and think you can do often differ from what you really can do.  i foresee many falls, goose eggs and tears in the future.  

hmm ...

there are many words i could use to describe you.  yet there are still some things i haven't been able to find the words for.  however, if i had to pick a few words to describe you as of late?  fake laugh.  and ... chicken.  

you have mastered the fake laugh.  and while i know you're sometimes only laughing as, well, a courtesy, i appreciate the gesture just the same.  sometimes it doesn't even take anything to be happening at all for you to break out into big, fake laughter.

as for the chicken ... you LOVE chicken.  this love affair started with chicken in the form of a nugget but soon escalated to chicken in any form.  you've been known to eat adult sized portions of chicken and you snarf it up as fast as we put it in front of you.   

a bit about you at 10 months ...

.. decided nursing was for the birds when mom and dad got back from a week-long vacation.  while slightly heartbroken, your mom eventually got over it.

.. are eating pretty much anything.  love mac n' cheese, yogurt, bananas, and buttered toast.  

.. are becoming more and more funny each day.  

.. not yet crawling, but are getting a little closer.  still relying on rolling as your main mode of transportation.

.. can stand up supported.

.. are a chatterbox!  constantly telling us the best and funniest stories.

.. LOVE stella.  LOVE feeding stella from your highchair.  LOVE saying stella.  sounds more like two heavy breaths, but we know what you're saying.

.. good at clapping your hands.  

.. point to things you want.  cute.  albeit, slightly demanding.

.. are very friendly.  wave at everyone and everything.  

.. make us VERY happy.

it's only fitting ...

... that along with your incredible conducting skills (see maestro post), you also love music. we noticed it about a month ago when dad was watching a concert on tv. you were completely transfixed on the tv and bobbing your little body to the music. it's even been known to happen at church. when the congregation starts singing, you get excited and bob up and down. i never thought hymns were for dancing to, but you proved me wrong.  now when we say "dance", you do.  

maestro

people have always commented about your arms. you have always had them out and move them in a "conducting" kind-a-way. we always thought it was cute but didn't realize how unique it was until so many people started making comments about them. you move them when you're excited.  upset.  intrigued.  it's an outlet for many emotions.  

craig jessop (former music director for mormon tabernacle choir)

your nemesis

loud, unfamiliar noises. i.e. the food chopper and dad's sneezes. they both bring you to tears.