Dear Autumn

Dear Autumn @ 10 months

September 27, 2014

September 2014

Dear Autumn-

There are moments when I look at you and I can picture what you will look like when you are a little girl. When I see you sitting there and I envision you with golden brown hair, pulled back in pig tails, while you absentmindedly play with your feet at the bottom of your long legs while watching cartoons. But for the most part it’s all fuzzy to me. Either way, I’m just trying to enjoy the things happening now because it’s astonishing how fast these past 10 months have gone by.

You are doing so well crawling around at a lighting fast speed. As well, you are doing a great job pulling yourself to stand up. You hold on tight to the TV stand, sofa, oven, and the dog’s gate (which blocks you from eating his food) and then up you go to stand there and check yourself out in the reflection of the oven or to yell at that dog while he eats his dinner. Thankfully you are pretty cautious so you haven’t taken make spills just yet.

You had a pretty decent cold this past month and since then you won’t take a bink. You couldn’t suck on the pacifier and breathe through your stuffed up nose at the same time so you stopped using it then. I figured it would be temporary and just while you were sick but you have refused it since. This is bad since I think you still want it at times but remember the struggles you had with it when you were sick. But it’s good that you gave it up on your own so we don’t have to struggle with that when you are older. But who knows, maybe you’ll want it again in a month or so.

We’ve begun planning your first birthday party. It’s crazy to even have that on the horizon but it’s just 2 months away and that’s going to be here before we know it. I am looking forward to your little farm themed party. It should be tons of fun, but thankfully we still have 2 more months until then! Sob!

You bring such joy to our lives. We love you so much!

Love,

Mom

Dear Autumn @ 9 Months

August 21, 2014

August 2014

Dear Autumn-

Oh man, every month the 18th sneaks up on me and I go “OMG! How are you another month older!?!?” I’m sure I’ll be doing this same freak out when your are older as well, but with years. It’s just incredible that time is flying by so quickly and how much you develop and change.

One thing that can change is your volume. Oh my sweets! You have just one volume and that is loud. Babbling loudly, crying loudly, shreeking loudly, yelling loudly. It’s all the same. I’m trying not to dimension your excitement when you are chatting with me but sometimes it can scramble my brain so I respond to you softly hoping that maybe you will mimic and hope that you will learn what “inside voices are.”

So, that is why we often go outside, just so that the shreeks don’t bounce around our walls and in our brains. But guess what? You get quiet then. You will yell and yell until we reach the door and then you zip those lips once we get outside. It’s like you are in pure owe it renders you speechless. You enjoy watching the birds and you listen for planes overhead. And, of course, pulling up bits of the new sod is just the best. Even when I put you on a blanket you pull the edges to you to reach the grass and feel it, pull it, and, sometimes, eat it. ha!

We weren’t sure if you would ever crawl since you only showed interest in walking around with us but you just started just the other day. Previously you would just twist and scoot on your butt, but now you are just starting to get the crawling movement down now. Uh -oh! time to really baby proof!!!

You’re still so teeny tiny! And yet you eat so much! You let it be well-known, by broadcasting it loudly, when you are hungry or when are you full. Thankfully, you are eager to try everything we give you from avocado to beans, pasta to tomatoes, and pancakes to quesadillas. You eat so much but you must burn it up as you are still 5th % for your weight, but at least it as held steady.

I love you so much my happy baby.

Love,

Mom

Dear Autumn @ 8 Months

July 21, 2014

July 2014

Dear Autumn-

Man, you are so cool. As cool as can be for a 8 month old. Definitely.

We are just in love with everything that you can do now. You are just growing in leaps and bounds now. It’s so much fun seeing all the new things you are learning in such a short period of time. You’re sitting up like a pro. Every now and then you’re pitch over and wack your head on the floor so we generally try to keep the Boppy around you or sit right behind or next to you just in case.You can keep yourself occupied for a few minutes on your own so that I can run Kemper out in the front yard or start dinner.

Your favorite thing to do now is wave at everyone and everything. You started about a week and a half ago and now it’s just the coolest thing ever. You’re such a crab when I change your diaper but once we leave your room and you see your reflection in the hallway mirror you just light up and star waving.

You even wave at Kemper now. He doesn’t get it, he just looks at you for food, which you are amazing at giving to him. You look right at us and listen to us say “No, not for puppy!” but you still drop it for him. And then when you continue to do that we put our hand under your’s so that if you drop it we will catch it before he gets it. You take your hand back and then put the food in your mouth, take a bite or 2. Once we move our hand as it seems you are going to eat your food, you quickly extend your hand and drop it for Kemper. Ugh. So, while we are ticked that you keep feeding the dog, we still crack up because you are try your best to be sneaky about it.

The dog is fun but walking is the best. You love to hold on to our hands so that we can guide you around. I’m afraid you’ll never crawl but I’m not that worried about it since we haven’t done any baby-proofing yet. You completely freak out when you are on your stomach since you can’t figure out crawling and that completely pisses you off! Oh the tears and tears. It’s so sad but funny how instantly you will freak! ha!

But truthfully, we do more freaking out than you. We can’t believe how fast you are growing (minus the crawling!). There have been some great moments this past month but I have 2 favorite moments. You started to wave one day to your reflection when we would walk by the mirror which was so cool but that night you started to wave to Dad and you had the biggest smile on your face. You were so excited to wave to him and he was so excited it was the best moment (so, of course, I teared up!) And then one day when I was picking you up from daycare you guys were outside and you noticed me and you started to kick you legs and wave your arms while Gloria was holding you. As I got closer you started showing ‘mamamamama’ and put your arms out to grab me. OMG. The. Best.

You’re just the best thing ever.

Love,

Mom

Dear Autumn @ 6 Months

May 21, 2014

May 2014

Dear Autumn,

You came into this world 6 months ago. A whole half of year. In the grand scheme of things it’s a relatively short period of time but still can’t believe it has already been 6 months. I know our lives before you were pretty different but it really seems you have been here forever because I can’t imagine you not here either.

While I would love to be able to just stay late at work or go out to dinner with dad without having to juggle so much like daycare pick up, pumping, your feeding/nap schedule, etc I would not have it any other way. Yes, there are sacrifices here and there but I would trade everything in the world for your health and happiness.

And boy, are you happy! You are such a happy baby with a smile on your face most of the time. Giggles are still an occasional occurrence but dad can really get you to really crack up. You like my crazy dancing and off key singing, so you a smile is glued to your face when we hop around singing. Sometimes you join in and screech to add to the fun.

You have a lot of fun at dinner time too. You have been eating more and more and have been trying new foods as well. You started with campari tomatoes and have now added watermellon, apples, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, and mango to your favorite foods. You love mango so much. I swear you could eat it every day. Oh wait, you basically do.

While you have been eager to try new foods you are still our little bean. So little! You’re 6 months but can still fit into a lot of the 0-3 month stuff you have. Dad took you to the Dr for your 6 month check up (5/19) and you measured 25″ inches long and 12lbs 11.5 oz, meaning you are still under 5th percentile. But you still have the most delicious leg rolls. I can’t resist nibbling on them, which you think is pretty funny.

You have graduated from the bassinet to your crib in your room. Some nights you sleep right through to morning (4.30ish- ugh!) but there are other nights where you just can’t get settled in are up often and need some extra cuddles so you come into bed with us. I love snuggling up to you as you settle in between us and get back to sleep. You still wake up pretty upset but there have been a few times when you have woken up and not started screaming so I’m hoping you do grow out of the crying wake up soon.

I’m looking forward to the next month as you are growing like a weed and I love to see how much you learn, discover, and fall in love with. I’m guessing that you are sitting up and are mush more talkative and giggly. We’ll just have to wait and see what June brings.

Love,

Mom

Dear Autumn @ 5 months

April 21, 2014

April 2014

Dear Autumn-

This past month has been amazing. I can’t get over that you are 5 months old now but this past month has been incredible itself.

It seems that your development has been on some warp speed track. You are getting close to being able to sit up on your own. You are getting more interested in food. You now are so interested in things that you really put effort into getting it. Oh man, you reach with all your might! You now find the dog to be hilarious, especially when he licks your face. And the babbling now has some clarity.

You have always been a joy to be around but your amusement and responses to our goofiness to get you to smile has made all that silly effort so worth it. You make my goofy dancing to “Happy” seem like the best thing ever. It’s the best to see you gummy mouth crack a huge smile. You do laugh now but not often, just lots of endless smiles.

While you are the happiest baby ever you do get really frustrated really easily. When playing around with your blankets you’ll shove it into your mouth and bite down on it with all your might while grunting like mad. I don’t know what is going on in your head at the point but you are mad at something and are quite good at showing it. Should be interesting how you express your feelings as you continue to grow.

Your sleep has been all over the place. Some nights you are amazing letting us sleep through the night right along with you. And well other nights… ugh! You sleep in our bed more often than not some nights. At least we are constantly working on trying to get you to bed quickly and soundly, and your sleep transitions back on track. A for effort, right?

Right now you are sick, maybe just sickish, but you take it like a champ. We feel so bad for your runny nose and goopy eye. We finally got your right eye all cleared up but now your left one is getting goopy again. Feels like a little defeat but at least your left eye is not as bad as how your right eye was.

Sometimes your drooling is out of control. It will drip all over you and us. Maybe you’ll start teething soon, or you’ll just be drool all over us until the end of time. ha! I don’t think the dog minds. I think he licks your face so much so that he can help clean up your face. We tell him ‘no!’ but he still gives you ‘kisses’, at least it’s better than him stealing your socks. He eats so many I am going to have to get some more soon.

We are looking forward to you beginning to explore and eat solids. So far you loved the campari tomato we gave you, but the grape tomato was gross. The strawberry was gross as well but the asparagus was great. I think we will try avocado and mango soon. So much fun to see your fist grip on the food as you bring it to your mouth or suck or chew on it like crazy.

Be sure to keep on saying “dada” over and over again and I’m sure you will have Daddy wrapped around your slobbiery little fingers. You are such a Daddy’s Girl.

This last month was amazing so I’m looking forward to this next month. But really, it will mean you will be 6 months old and I jsut don’t know if I can handle it!!

Love,

Mom

Dear Autumn @ 4 months

March 19, 2014

March 2014

Dear Autumn-

I can’t believe that you became 4 months old yesterday. I want time to stop. I want you to stay this small and cuddly. But at the same time I love seeing you learn to do something each and every day. I love the discovery of it all. It’s a tough thing to want to capture and hold on to the past and embrace the future and everything that is holds.

You’ve been doing so well this month in going to day care, sleeping longer stretches, and taking in the world around you. As well, as taking everything in arms reach into your mouth. And like last mouth, you still think the more in your mouth, the better. A thumb… nah, let’s do some fingers. Some fingers… nah, let’s try to jam the side of my fist in there. One hand… nah, let’s go for two!!

We are getting better and better at getting out of the house on time in the morning. But I still need to do a better job of making up time from leaving work early to get you. I’m thinking that I’ll clean up the den with Dad to clear up the desk so I can have a work space there to set up a laptop from work at night or on the weekends to make up time. I know things will work out over time.

You got your first cold this past month. You almost made it 3 weeks at daycare before getting sick. It was bound to happen sooner or later! Of course, I then battled being sick. And then so did Dad. Thankfully, you handled it pretty well. The biggest issue was clearing out your nose but other than that you were just really stuffy and extra cuddly at times.

You are such a happy smily baby. It’s pretty easy to get your to crack a really wide smile. You haven’t lughed yet but you are on your way. You crack up but are just silent. You laugh like a mime.

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Current Loves

getting your diaper changed: you love to just hang out in your diaper so I imagine that you are going to love the warm weather and being able to hang around in just your diaper

baths: we only do baths about once a week but you really like them.

the blow dryer: you really like getting dried off with the blow dryer after a bath. You get quite upset after it gets turned off and you get dressed again.

peek-a-boo: we do peek-a-boo when you are getting your diaper changed and you light up every time we play

Current Hates

getting the brace on: thankfully you graduated to only having to wear it 1/2 time at your last hip apointment (2/28). Hoping that you will be cleared to be done with it at your next appointment on the 28th. Fingers crossed.

your nose getting suctioned out: hard to explain to you that while you don’t like being stuffed up that the only way to fix it is by suctioning all that snot out.

getting your eye cleaned: your right eye has a clogged tear duct so it gets all goopy and gross throughout the day, especially at night when you are sleeping, so we need to clean it often and you really don’t like it. Hoping it clears up soon.

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I look forward to seeing how these things change over time as you discover and learn about more things. Maybe you’ll start to sit up soon as you are already doing a pretty good job hanging out leaning against some pillows. Maybe you’ll discover your feet soon since you have been out of the brace more and more. Maybe you’ll roll over as you have more freedom to move on your mat around without the brace weighing you down. I look forward to it all!

As well, we are getting a new car soon so that your car seat better fits in there and so that we can have enough room for stuff for our adventures and trips to see family. Speaking of family, we are going back to Greenwich to meet the rest of my side of your family. Plus mommy will be really excited to get some chocolate brioche rolls from one of her favorite bakeries back home. One day you’ll get to try them and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with them as well. But for now, how about your just stick with breast milk, okay? 🙂

I love you so much!

Love,

Mom

Dear Autumn @ 1 month-

December 18, 2013

December 2013

Dear Autumn-

You are 1 month old today. I still can’t believe you are here, let alone you’ve been here for a month. The month has just flown by.

I look at you and I am overcome with happiness. It’s a joy that comes from you making me a mom, a moment I’ll never forget. Your dad announced to me that you were a girl and right then we knew our little Autumn Olivia had arrived. This was a moment we happily waited for as it would change our lives in the most amazing ways.

When we found out you had an omphalocele it was like a punch to the gut. It was impossible to think of you being sick and having to struggle when you were first born. We just had to take things one day at a time learning more and more about what was going as you grew inside of me. Thankfully, as time went on we learned that you were healthy and that you would just need to face one surgery to correct the omphalocele. Still, that just seemed impossible to me. How could you just be born and need surgery so soon after? But that is what we were facing so we just trudged on waiting for the day to meet you and figure out more about the omphalocele.

Thankfully, when you arrived the Dr’s said the surgery was going to be ‘a piece of cake’ and you would do really well because you were so healthy. Every day when you were in the NICU you would reach another milestone and amaze us. You really shocked us as we were able to take you home just 7 days after you were born, instead of the month that we were warned about. So incredible!

And since then you have been delighting us with your growth, healthy appetite, strength, and beauty. You have been steadily been putting on weight (7 lbs 0oz at this mornings appointment!), much to my delight since it makes all the work related to pumping all worth it. You have been eating more and more each week and are now around 3- 3 1/2 ounces each feeding. Oh man, you can be so hard to burp though! Your dad will have better luck getting you to burp at times. We are just happy to see that your cheeks and belly are filling out. Oh those cheeks, I just love to kiss them. And every now and then I love to sneak a kiss on your mouth which you open in response.

You definitely have my mouth, ears, and toes. While you have your daddy’s eyes, long lashes, and chin. We love your brown hair and how soft it is. We are hoping that it will grow in with a bit of a wave like your dad’s when his hair is long. We shall just have to wait and see that, as well as what color your eyes end up being as they are a striking dark blue now with a lighter blue ring right around your pupil.

You don’t really like tummy time but do well with holding your head up when we have you perched up on our chests and shoulder. You have become more and more observant to the world around you as you look around at Kemper or family who has visited. You’ve had some fussy days and nights but for the most part are pretty mellow. But when you are unhappy or hungry you really do let us know. You will wail and wail until the bottle is in your mouth and then, just like that, are happily gobbling it down. You actually do more yelling at us than crying, as you scream ‘ahhh’ vs ‘wahh’. You are a noisy sleeper and eater as you grunt and click all the time. Daddy jokes that you sound like a dolphin.

This month has been filled with so much joy that we can’t wait to see what the next month brings as you grow bigger and bigger each day and develop into a beautiful little girl.

I love you so much.

Love,

Mom