Nine Months of Sweet S!

Sweet S,
Today we celebrate nine months of you living with Bubbie and me. You recently have turned 16 months old and are busy busy!

You are not just walking anymore...you're running! You're getting faster and falling less often. You're exploring and starting to climb on everything.

You're also starting to make more word sounds. We are anxious to understand more of what you say. You LOVE music. You dance and sing in the car. Its so much fun to watch and listen to. You still seem to prefer kid sounding music or light rock (much to Bubbie's dismay).

I've been describing you as fiercely independent. If you're trying to do something, you do NOT like it if someone tries to help. You are also prone to doing your own thing at daycare when everyone else is doing one thing - like napping or eating. We want you to be strong and capable but Sweet Girl, sometimes you have to have help and you have to listen. And you're going to have lots of time ahead of you on the time-out rug at daycare if we keep this up. You can't peel a banana yet, or put a rubber band in your hair or brush your teeth solo...but we're learning from each other and we'll figure out the balance.

Peas are still your favorite food. Sometimes you want someone to feed you and sometimes you are insistent on doing this yourself.

You and Bubbie made a special trip this month to see Bubbie's parents and other friends and family. I was sick and didn't get to go. While you were gone you got a haircut from Jill!

You loved your time with Mamaw and Poppie. Here you are trying to feed him a cracker!

Sunday you got to be in the nursery with Granny Jean. She kept Bubbie in the nursery when she was a baby and that was a long time ago! Its special for you to be there with her.

Really soon after ya'll got back we agreed to take care of another little baby. Right now you're a big sister! You love Baby J. When you wake up in the morning you start asking about him and won't let up until I bring him to you so you can hug and kiss him. Sometimes you like to pull his socks off or his paci out - but mostly you're a loving big sister.  We hear at first you were very protective of him at daycare and didn't want any of the other kids to even look at him! You've been a little jealous of our attention with him and we understand that. We've been making sure we spend special time with you and that you have our undivided attention sometimes.

You seem to be very nurturing and concerned about people. You LOVE baby dolls more than any other toys and are starting to try and feed them and change their clothes. When someone is upset you want to see and comfort them by patting them or snuggling. Bubbie and I have given you all kinds of toys to play with so you choosing these right now is all you little one. We hope you'll always be loving and nurturing. Its beautiful to see. This picture is a perfect one for the month. You're moving so the picture is a little blurry - but you've got your "baby" with you.

Bubbie took you to the doctor this month for shots. It was harder for her than you. You're all up to date and growing and healthy.

The first week in July Bubbie and I both took a lot of time off. We thought we had a panel meeting about you but that ended up being rescheduled. We enjoyed the time anyway. We ate like we were on vacation and spent lots of time together. We sorted and put up all the clothes that are too small for you and worked to get a wardrobe ready for Baby J's clothes. We moved the furniture in your room around and you seem to like it because you can crawl under your bed!

To celebrate July 4th and my birthday we went to my family's river cabin. We spent two nights with Kazoo, Uncle Jar, and Maggie who we hope you will call Mia. We had lots of fun swimming, eating, and celebrating with friends. You enjoy the water.

You played in your "boat" in the big water, in the kiddie pool on the dock with Bubbie and later Mrs. Ann.

You also took a long paddle boat ride with SSTTEEVVEEE and me.

Aunt Audrey came with Sig and Spud. You loved seeing them all and we were so glad they came.

Aunt Missy came to the river too and brought a special gift you two made for me together. Its a plate with your hand prints that make sunshine. I LOVE it! Here you are making it -

And the finished product!

 She also took some really great pictures of you and Baby J.

And made a special shirt for Baby J.

MaeMae and STTEEVVEE came and brought a great meal. You were asleep while I blew out my birthday candles but I sure was glad you were there. Birthdays sometimes give us an opportunity to reflect - and this past year has given me so much to be thankful for. If last year someone told me that I'd be responsible for two kids on my birthday this year (and that I would have known and loved 3 others since last August) I would have thought they were crazy! And if they'd told me I'd love a kid as much as I love you I'd have thought they were extra crazy!

We finally had the important meeting about your case on the 10th. You wore this outfit because  I love having a reminder at times like those that we have hope and that this hope is an anchor for our soul...firm and secure.

At the meeting we learned your mom has moved to another state and there are some changes happening with your situation. We are cautiously hopeful that you might get to stay with us for awhile.  There are a lot of people who have to make a lot of important and big decisions. We're praying for everyone involved and that everyone involved thinks about you and what's best for you. No matter what happens in the next 90 days or the next million days - we love you and are so so so glad you're a part of our lives. You bring joy to us and our families and friends. We love you Sweet Girl.

Love, Meggie