Letters to Klara: Month 9

Pool ready (You hated it.)

May 23, 2012

Dear Klara Jean,

Wait a second!? You're nine months old? That sounds way too big. I’ve been spending a bit of time this month mourning the loss of my tiny baby. You’re just so…different!

First time seeing the ocean (You loved it.)

You’re slowly wanting to spend much less time in my arms and much more time on the go. These days, it’s a rare night that you’ll even let me rock you to sleep. I rock you and sing to you and then put you in your crib awake because you’re much too distracted by my face, whatever’s in my room, and attempting to climb off the chair; you do much better if I just put you down in your crib with your lovey bunny and binkie and let you put yourself to sleep. It makes me sad that we’re losing that nightly ritual that I loved so much. Some nights, if you’re tired enough, you fall asleep drinking your baba, and I put you up on my shoulder and rock and rock. The only time you’re still is when you’re sleeping! I cherish those moments of closeness because they’re becoming more and more rare.

My favorite DJ

This has been the month of tricks. If I say, “Yay!,” you start clapping. If I ask, “How big is Klara?,” your arms shoot up as you proudly smile when I answer my own question with “Sooooo big!” As soon as the music starts, you start bobbing your head and you get a look of pure joy on your face. You crack me up.

You’re working on mastering eating finger foods. You love blueberries, but I admit that I don’t give them to you as often as you’d like because, boy, are they messy. Your other favorite foods are puffs, yogurt, and strawberries (sweet tooth like Mama?). You’re learning to like black beans, veggies, turkey, and eggs, too.

Finger foods!

You got tubes! Your ears are clear! I’m so happy that you can now hear us better, and you are so much happier now that the pain is gone. It was so fun to hear Dr. Fry declare, “Her ears look perfect!” at your last well-check. I haven’t heard that one for quite some time!

I love you, Darling baby of mine.

All my love,

      Mama