How You've Grown

I finally got a new charger and battery. I wake up early now, even on my days off so I can get some things done while you sleep. As I was editing these photos, I recalled how you were a little bean always attached to my boob last April. Now, you are a long, lean green bean that likes to grab a hold of my leg and cling to it like a monkey when I walk by.

These are the pictures taken at Papa Walt's house. I made him chocolate dipped strawberries and cream filled strawberries for his birthday. You like the cream filled ones.



Like I said, you are into everything. Trying to hold you to keep you out of trouble is like trying to hug a wet eel.




Your first steps. You can tell by the look on your face you aren't too steady. I think you are shocked you can walk sometimes. You usually will walk into my arms and bear hug my neck. Like, "Whew! What a journey, I'm safe!"



We went shopping at Walmart on Monday and I found this water mat. Water sprays from the mat and fills the bottom. I thought you'd love it since you are my mermaid. I set it up when we got home, put on your water pants and Crocs and walked you over to it. You were curious about the water sprays. When I put you on the mat, you had a panic attack. You were shocked by the COLD hose water. You didn't know which way to go to escape the cold water spraying you. I had to put down the camera and rescue you. I hope you adjust to the swimming pool. Maybe if I am holding you, you won't be as fearful. Mommy is getting frozen too.





I took you inside and ran a hot bath for you. Once again, you were like a fish. You laid back and enjoyed your bath for awhile. Usually, you'll flip over as soon as I wash your hair but this time, you relaxed.



But you got mad that I was ruining your bath time with pictures. Flashes that hurt your eyes and bounced off the tub. So you squealed in protest and I captured a good shot of your teeth. They way they are growing now, you'll be lucky to have a full set by age four. The front two look so big, I don't know if 14 more will fit.


This is my favorite picture I took this week. I think it captures your personality and attitude the best. You give strangers this look. It's your "I'm taking it in and analyzing it" look.



I love my little Toot Toot,
Mama

Frankenstein

Dear Baby Girl,

I haven't posted in awhile because I haven't been able to take pictures. My camera battery died and I can't find the charger. I searched all the local stores for lithium batteries and no dice. I finally broke down yesterday and ordered a new charger and back up battery online from Samsung. I have had withdraw from lack of pictures. I feel bad I lost a month because everyday you change.

I have changed my lifestyle the last couple of weeks. I was feeling so tired, when you took a nap, so did I. I would feel guilty for letting the house cleaning slide. I decided to start taking care of myself again. Taking vitamins, eating better and yesterday I even did a workout video during your naptime. I can barely lift my arms over my head today, my triceps are in shock. Because I have quit some bad habits and started the good ones again, I have more energy. Last night, I finished a novel called "My Sister's Keeper". It was the saddest ending and I was crying in the bed at 10:45pm when I closed the book. It was a book about a mother's love and loss. It scared me because it made me think about how my life would turn upside down if you ever got terminally ill. My favorite line from the book was, "We do not have children, we receive children."

You are the greatest gift I have ever been given. You have grown in such a character. The other day, I was in the kitchen and I heard something in the bathroom. I found you playing in the toilet. "Splish, splash!" I was grossed out but couldn't help but laugh. Thank God I had bleached it out two days before. I closed the door to the bathroom but somehow you opened it again. I caught you before you started splishing around again. You love water, always have. So, this summer, I will sign you up for the water babies swim class.

I cannot take my eyes off you for a minute now. Yes, it was funny you were obsessed with the toilet but it could be very dangerous too. You will open the cabinets and pull out your oranges and applesauce and yell, "EEEEeeeeeeee". That's eat, you just don't have the T part down. You broke the DVD player the other day, because you love to push buttons now. You ejected your DVD and then forced it closed again. You'll push "OFF" on the TV and get pissed because Elmo is gone but you still can hear him. Did I mention you snapped my cell phone in half two weeks ago? We had to sit at Alltel for over an hour last Wednesday so I could get a new one. That's why I need my vitamins, to keep up with you and hopefully grow two eyes in the back of my head.

You have started to walk, all by your lonesome. You look like baby Frankenstein. Real stiff legged with your arms out for balance. This morning, we went to Papa Walt's to celebrate his birthday. You got tired of crawling on the tile floors, it hurt your knees. So, you stood up and Frankenstein walked over to me. I counted eight steps. We clapped our hands and you glowed. They even got a picture of you walking, hopefully they'll email it to me soon. Once you are on carpet, you crawl again because it's faster.

You mastered Pat-a-Cake, the clapping part but now you'll roll it up and roll it up. I was working with you on blowing kisses last night in the tub. You couldn't figure out how I was making a kiss noise with my mouth. I kissed your hand to try to show you. You were trying you best in impress me. You decided to try to flick your tooth for sound effects then throw out your hand. I think you scratched your gum because you had a funny look on your face. I busted out laughing, I hadn't laughed so hard for a long time. You looked at me and grinned ear to ear, you impressed me after all. Mission accomplished. You still are confused about blowing a kiss.

Thank you Chloe, for bringing me such joy and laughter. I hope to get some pictures soon. You now have four teeth. The top ones are almost down all the way. My, what big teeth you have. They look like mine. I can't wait until you can "cheese" for the camera.

All My Love,
Mama