7 Months

Dear Noah,

Today you are 7 months old!  I sang happy birthday to you this morning and your eyes lit up and you laughed along with me.  It was probably one of the best moments we've had this past month together.  I won't lie to you, this past month has been trying for all of us.  You have been so wonderful through it all.  To recap for you:  February 5th I fell down the stairs while carrying you and fractured your left leg.  We spent four long hours in the children's ER watching helplessly as you were poked and prodded and strapped to the x-ray board.  If today was one of the highlights of my time as your mother, then that day was definitely the lowest.  But you're carrying on as if nothing has changed and I take a lot of my strength from you, little boy.  Through it all, you have been smiling and happy and your generally cheerful self.  By this time next week you should have your splint off and we'll be spending lots of time working on the crawling you so desperately want to do.

You have changed so much this past month.  I know I say that every month (because it's so true!) but it's been so fast.  Everyday you are becoming your own little person with your own wants and needs and wishes.  You have learned to "fake" cough to get our attention and then when we look at you, you smile that big, wide smile.  It never fails to make me happy.  You are so much more aware of your body and your limbs and how they all work together to get you what and where you want to go.  You're on the verge of crawling and if it wasn't for that bum leg, you would be cruising all over the place.  I don't know whether I am thrilled or positively terrified.  But not to worry, I have been spending this downtime while you are still immobile to baby-proof as best I can.  No open electrical outlets for you to stick your fingers in!

You've learned how to bang things together to make noise and that delights you to no end.  I can only imagine how much "fun" we're going to have when you get into the pots and pans.   You also learned to "kiss" me (and your Grandma Cher who just can't get enough of your kisses) with your little mouth wide open right on my cheek...you sometimes slip a little tongue in there, your saucy thing you.  We were at a playgroup on Wednesday and you tried to kiss your new friend Jane and I had to have a long talk with you about how you don't kiss girls without an invitation.  But for now, I adore your sloppy, open mouth kisses and will take them whenever I can.  

You also LOVE your daddy.  There was a little while there when you wouldn't even entertain the idea of him holding you, but now?  You cannot get enough of him.  When you see him, you light up like a Christmas tree and giggle and babble and wave your arms around in excitement.  You two have so much fun rolling around on your playmat and playing with your baby basketball hoop...unfortunately, with your genes, that's probably the only basketball hoop that you'll actually dunk.  I cannot even tell you how much your daddy loves you too.  You two are going to be quite the pair.

Between your raspberries, your "talking", your banging, and your screaming when you don't get your way, it's not quiet around here anymore.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  You're my baby but you're turning into my little boy.  My heart swells and breaks all at the same time.  I adore you with every bone in my body and I will go to the ends of the earth to make you safe and happy.  This month I learned how it feels to see your baby, your child, hurting and I will do everything I can to protect you for as long as I can.  You are my very favorite and I love you, Bubba.  Happy 7 Months!

Love,

Mama