9 months

So, I meant to do a Mother's Day post...seeing as this was my first Mother's Day as a mama (and 100th anniversary in America!), but life got in the way, as they say. Although, I don't really like that saying. We had a lot of adventures this month...which made it all the more exciting.

Jon got me flowers and bath salts and a candle and we slept in and cuddled with our little baby in bed and ate breakfast. Then I took a bath, played with Greta, and we went out for lunch at Red Door. It was kind of great. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside. After that, we walked a little further down the street and we painted a picture and drank wine. It started raining when we got home. We gave Greta dinner, a bath, read to her, and put her to bed and Jon and I watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It was the best kind of day.

I didn't know what to expect...becoming a mom. Being responsible for someone's life. I suppose we all feel like we're doing everything wrong and I know I feel a little bit helpless sometimes. I look at my daughter (that still feels weird to say) and I think she is just the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I feel like I was put here on this earth just to love her...like this is my purpose. To love this beautiful little thing like nothing else and care for her in the best way possible. And I do. Or at least, I try...but she makes it so easy.

Everyone tells you that time passes so quickly once that little baby arrives. And it's true. I suppose that's why I do these monthly updates...to remember. Today, when we got home from doing a few errands, I put Greta down and she crawled into the living room smiling and making all sorts of excited, happy sounds and went straight for her toys (which is weird because she seems to be going for everything BUT her toys nowadays) and a few minutes later, I heard her tapping away on her piano. I walked in without her noticing, and just watched her, in awe. Instead of pounding on the keys and using the piano as a stepping stool, she was gingerly tapping each key, sitting properly in front...like it was new to her. My heart may have exploded.

It's been the best kind of journey getting to know this little baby of mine. I love it more and more everyday. I can't believe it's almost been a year since she arrived. Almost.

To my little goober...at nine months.

You weigh 20 lbs and you are 28 1/2 inches long!

You have six teeth. Two on the top and four on the bottom and one just itching to make its way through those tender gums of yours.

We visited family in Nashville. Just me and you this time. You met your aunt and uncle and cousins and great grandma. Grandma asked, "Shall I sing you some songs in Polish?" as she held you in her lap. I asked her what she was singing and she said, "Oh, you know, 1,2,3,4..." and laughed. Which made me laugh. I'm happy you got to meet her when you did. She was quite taken with you and you were very comfortable sitting on her lap.

We also took a magical trip to Disney and Vero Beach with Gram and Papa. The first ride we went on was Dumbo. All you wanted to do was grab that lever that controls it going up and down. Your favorite was It's a Small World. You were just soaking it all in! You were so good. We're so lucky you're such a good baby.

During the performance of Beauty and the Beast, you were clapping and pointing and never stopped paying attention to the stage. I think this may have been your favorite thing at Disney!

You loved the curtains at the Animal Kingdom resort. You just loved them. I have no idea why. You will go for any hanging fabric, though.

You also got to meet your great grandma Phyllis while we were in Florida. She was also quite taken with you. It's a common theme...don't let it go to your head. I feel like you're already becoming a little ham.

You were unsure of the ocean again. You just had to warm up to it, I think...in no time, you were dipping your hands in and licking your fingers and splashing with your arms and legs.

You had your first fever while we were in Florida (100.3). You're still congested...yet, you were still really good, you little trooper, you.

Gram taught you where your nose is with a high-pitched "Beep!" You like to do it all the time now. You take your little pointer finger and push mama's nose and I say "Beep!" and you smile so big and push a little harder and then start smacking me in the face. When I say, "That's not nice, Greta." You lean forward with your mouth open wide to give me "kisses".

You tilt your head to one side when you look at things or people and I just think it's the cutest thing.

You scrunch your nose when you smile big or laugh or maybe you're trying to be cute?

You like to walk along the furniture and practice standing up and sitting down on the arm of the couch. You also like to play a game of peek-a-boo with us by the arm of the couch.

I love you more and more each day.

8 months

To my little bunny...at eight months.

You are on the go, go, go! You figured out how to crawl a couple weeks ago. And of course, you are fascinated with door jams and wires and outlets. Oh my!

You love taking baths in the tub, but you hate getting toweled off.

You just started waving hello and goodbye.

 

For awhile, you would only let us feed you if you had a spoon in each hand...mama is very patient with you during meals. You're still figuring out how to drink water...that's something you let me help you with.

You're getting very good at picking up little pieces of food or puffs with your pointer and thumb...or you pick it up with one or the other.

I still love nursing you. And you still grasp your foot in one hand and kick it up in the air while you nurse and make all sorts of funny sounds. "Mumyumyumyumyumaaaaaahhhhhhuhuhuhuhyumyum." 

We celebrated your first Easter at Gram and Papa's. Your cousin Mary was happy to help you find your eggs.

You open your mouth wide when you give kisses. Today, when I asked for kisses, you bit me.

Everyday, you are just a joy to be around. I love you so so much, my baby.

7 months

To my little babushka...at seven months.

You have four teeth and you love to bite mama...when it hurts me and I react, you think it's hilarious.

You just started sleeping in your crib in your room...I miss you so much, but am sleeping so much better and so are you, but getting you to bed is another story...

When people meet you for the first time, they tell me or your daddy that you are the most beautiful baby. Many are particularly taken with those big brown eyes of yours. I agree, but I never know how to respond to this. "Thank you" is what usually comes to mind. You were born this way. You are beautiful. Your aunt always told me that YOU know you are beautiful...just don't let other people know that you know that. In other words, my darling, humility is a virtue.

On a side note, you get mistaken for a boy frequently. Perhaps this is because mama doesn't dress you in fru fru and bows. Both Daddy and I are not fans.

You can clap your hands!

Sofie has been your go-to toy since you were about four months. Monkey still lights up your face when he makes an appearance, though.

You don't like the bouncy swing I got for you. We've tried it several times...you just sit there, bend your legs up, and you kind of spin around slowly with a miserable look on your face.

It was the same situation with the swings at the park...you sat there...unamused. We'll try again when it gets a little warmer outside.

You scoot about...mostly backwards. You really don't seem to have an interest in crawling anymore. You prefer to stand. All you want to do is practice standing up and sitting back down and having mama guide you as you walk all around the house. ALL. THE. TIME.

You say "Dada" now! One time, when daddy was traveling for work, you woke up, looked over to his side of the bed (when you were sleeping in our bed) and said, "dada" and then looked over at me with the saddest face.

When you nurse, you make this sound like you are really enjoying it. "Mumyumyumyumyumaaaaaahhhhhhmumyumyumyum." And sometimes, you like to kick one foot up in the air and just hold your foot in your hand while you nurse. Sometimes, I can't help but laugh, which, of course, startles you (you don't like to be disturbed when you are nursing)...oh, Greta, you are developing quite the little personality. I love you.