Letters to the Baby Lotus Bud: Nine Months
Little Lotus Bud,
You're nine months old. Nine. Months. Old.
When the heck did that happen? Oh, I know, it's been happening for nine months now, but I just can't get over this idea that it's already been nine months since you were born, since you were a wee little babe.
Not that you are still not a wee little babe. You've grown taller, but you haven't put on much weight.
Here are the stats from your last doctor's appointment: weight - 15lbs. 7oz (4%); length - 27 1/4 in (39%); head circumference - 17 in. (27%)
What's all that mean? Well, based on your weight, you are in the 4th percentile which means that 96% of the babies in the world (your age) are bigger than you. Although you don't weigh too much, you are rather tall, and your head circumference seems just right.
I think you are perfect! I just like thinking about the numbers. I like the idea that you were only one third of your current weight when you were born. You've tripled in weight in nine months! I like the idea that you might end up being taller than me and your Daddy! I like everything about you and I wouldn't change a thing.
When I mention the numbers to other people, they respond by telling me that it's "OK" or some such nonsense. I don't think they know I think you are perfect and I don't know how to respond to them without sounding defensive. I'm working on it. I also have to figure out to respond to women who don't have any children but who do have a lot of advise for me, judgemental advise. And, finally there is the need to figure out to talk with other Mamas without instigating comparisons of babies. A friend told me once that when it comes to babies "there is a wide range of average." I'm sticking that logic and hoping that I get better at talking with other Mamas.
Moving on...
We bought you a "new" high chair. It's not exactly new because I picked it up at the thrift store for $10. What a find! I wanted a wooden one and the ones in the stores sell for over $150 dollars. I love this one even though it doesn't have any straps. We make do.
One thing you need to know about your parents, Little Lotus Bud, is that we are loners. We spend the majority of our time alone together and when that got lonely, we decided to have you. But with you in our lives we realize we need to reach out to other parents. I need to hang with other Mamas to get some good Baby talk in with those in the know. I also need to get out of the house. So, this last summer, I gathered a bunch of Mamas I met at yoga class, in the neighborhood and through the Co-op into a group that took regular outings together. This has evolved into a group called the Minneapolis Mamas and now - brace yourself - there are 48 members! We've been getting together twice a month, mostly visiting museums, but there have been some other Outings that were wonderful such as the Minnesota Arboretum and Midtown Global Market.
Here's a couple of shots of you at the Arboretum.
A few of us went to see the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, where you picked up your first cold (more about that later). Nonetheless we had a great time!
We attended a Halloween Party with 13 other babies! And this is where things got a little bit tricky. First of all, you just don't like hanging out with other babies. Put you in a room full of grannys and grandpas, and you are the happiest girl in the city. But, put in with other babies and your annoyance become very apparent.
Arrgghh! Shunkins, as you will surely notice, this letter is so late! You're a busy girl. Not only are we busy on our outings, but you are becoming quite a handful. You're always wanting to do something and often that requires my undivided attention. The daylight savings time change has been wonderful and now you go to sleep a little after 7:00, but I still get nothing done.
Anyway, so back to the last Holiday - Halloween. It was a bit of a dilemma for me. You had a couple of great outfits, but too many for one day. I was happy to dress you up to take you yoga class and then, there was that whole pumpkin patch incident. But, then, I wanted to dress you for that pre-Halloween party with the 13 babies. I finally decided to put you in an Indian outfit, but I don't want you to grow up and think it was strange. Besides, you looked awesome even if it was a cultural outfit. We just didn't get to any Indian events this year and soon you will grow out of this wonderful outfit.
We even put you in some bangles that you found to be endlessly fascinating.
I think we redeemed ourselves by taking you over to your Granny's house. Some of Grandpa's old college buddies were in town for a visit. When I was little like you, I was the only child amongst all of his old buddies, so I became everyone's baby. They were so excited to meet their baby's baby. And they loved the outfit. You were quite the rajkumari. And, you loved hanging out with them so much more than those other babies.
Then, came Halloween night and your Dad was so excited. He carved out some pumpkins. He did this last year when you were in my belly and I gotta tell you - you are going to have a blast with him every year when Halloween rolls around.
We had a great Autumn season with you.
The weather was wonderful for most of November. I took you for a stroll at Silverwood Park and while you slept I meditated by the lake. Then after you woke, you practiced your sitting skills and it was amazing. You are amazing!
One night at the trailer, you did get some chapped cheeks. It's like you got toasted like a marshmallow.
They were such a bright pink and it was adorable. But, I had to take care of it and so I consulted the Minneapolis Mamas and managed to get alternative to petroleum jelly. I won't let it happen again.
The amount of cute clothes and accouterments for babies is ridiculous but I can't resist when you look so good in everything I get you.
So, you got your first cold. So much snot from such a little baby! Then you gave me the cold and finally, your Dad got it. You had your first fever but it wasn't too high, so we let you ride it out and by the next day, it was gone. It must have done it's job because you weren't sick for very long. I got a little depressed thinking I couldn't meet the other Mamas for an Outing, but I talked to a few and they encouraged me to come anyway. Thankfully, you didn't make anyone else sick, but then, I think they all had it before you.
It's cold now and the snow has finally arrived. I can't wait for you to get older so you can understand and enjoy the snow as much as we do! We take you out in it so that you'll get used to it. So far so good! You don't seem to mind very much.
These days you are always tired. I'm working on getting you to nap but you fight it. But when you do nap it is for a couple of hours and that so sweet for me. I really should be getting more things done but I don't.
You started swimming lessons and you seemed to enjoy it, but we may never go back there. The pool was very cold and the locker room was a nightmare! It was a local high school and I tried to think of you spending time there on the swim team but maybe now is not the time. Next week we are all going up to the North Shore and there are two pools at the resort where we are staying. We plan to take you swimming every day and maybe we'll even get some underwater pictures of you. You really like floating on your back which is awesome because apparently most babies don't like that. But, your Dad lets you float on your back in the tub every night so maybe that's why you are used to it. I loved swimming when I was really little, so maybe you got that from me!
So, that's it for now, Little Lotus Bud. I'm going to try to be more punctual with this letter next month.
I love you so much!
From Me, your Mommy.
You're nine months old. Nine. Months. Old.
When the heck did that happen? Oh, I know, it's been happening for nine months now, but I just can't get over this idea that it's already been nine months since you were born, since you were a wee little babe.
Not that you are still not a wee little babe. You've grown taller, but you haven't put on much weight.
Here are the stats from your last doctor's appointment: weight - 15lbs. 7oz (4%); length - 27 1/4 in (39%); head circumference - 17 in. (27%)
What's all that mean? Well, based on your weight, you are in the 4th percentile which means that 96% of the babies in the world (your age) are bigger than you. Although you don't weigh too much, you are rather tall, and your head circumference seems just right.
I think you are perfect! I just like thinking about the numbers. I like the idea that you were only one third of your current weight when you were born. You've tripled in weight in nine months! I like the idea that you might end up being taller than me and your Daddy! I like everything about you and I wouldn't change a thing.
When I mention the numbers to other people, they respond by telling me that it's "OK" or some such nonsense. I don't think they know I think you are perfect and I don't know how to respond to them without sounding defensive. I'm working on it. I also have to figure out to respond to women who don't have any children but who do have a lot of advise for me, judgemental advise. And, finally there is the need to figure out to talk with other Mamas without instigating comparisons of babies. A friend told me once that when it comes to babies "there is a wide range of average." I'm sticking that logic and hoping that I get better at talking with other Mamas.
Moving on...
We bought you a "new" high chair. It's not exactly new because I picked it up at the thrift store for $10. What a find! I wanted a wooden one and the ones in the stores sell for over $150 dollars. I love this one even though it doesn't have any straps. We make do.
One thing you need to know about your parents, Little Lotus Bud, is that we are loners. We spend the majority of our time alone together and when that got lonely, we decided to have you. But with you in our lives we realize we need to reach out to other parents. I need to hang with other Mamas to get some good Baby talk in with those in the know. I also need to get out of the house. So, this last summer, I gathered a bunch of Mamas I met at yoga class, in the neighborhood and through the Co-op into a group that took regular outings together. This has evolved into a group called the Minneapolis Mamas and now - brace yourself - there are 48 members! We've been getting together twice a month, mostly visiting museums, but there have been some other Outings that were wonderful such as the Minnesota Arboretum and Midtown Global Market.
Here's a couple of shots of you at the Arboretum.
A few of us went to see the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, where you picked up your first cold (more about that later). Nonetheless we had a great time!
We attended a Halloween Party with 13 other babies! And this is where things got a little bit tricky. First of all, you just don't like hanging out with other babies. Put you in a room full of grannys and grandpas, and you are the happiest girl in the city. But, put in with other babies and your annoyance become very apparent.
Arrgghh! Shunkins, as you will surely notice, this letter is so late! You're a busy girl. Not only are we busy on our outings, but you are becoming quite a handful. You're always wanting to do something and often that requires my undivided attention. The daylight savings time change has been wonderful and now you go to sleep a little after 7:00, but I still get nothing done.
Anyway, so back to the last Holiday - Halloween. It was a bit of a dilemma for me. You had a couple of great outfits, but too many for one day. I was happy to dress you up to take you yoga class and then, there was that whole pumpkin patch incident. But, then, I wanted to dress you for that pre-Halloween party with the 13 babies. I finally decided to put you in an Indian outfit, but I don't want you to grow up and think it was strange. Besides, you looked awesome even if it was a cultural outfit. We just didn't get to any Indian events this year and soon you will grow out of this wonderful outfit.
We even put you in some bangles that you found to be endlessly fascinating.
I think we redeemed ourselves by taking you over to your Granny's house. Some of Grandpa's old college buddies were in town for a visit. When I was little like you, I was the only child amongst all of his old buddies, so I became everyone's baby. They were so excited to meet their baby's baby. And they loved the outfit. You were quite the rajkumari. And, you loved hanging out with them so much more than those other babies.
Then, came Halloween night and your Dad was so excited. He carved out some pumpkins. He did this last year when you were in my belly and I gotta tell you - you are going to have a blast with him every year when Halloween rolls around.
We had a great Autumn season with you.
The weather was wonderful for most of November. I took you for a stroll at Silverwood Park and while you slept I meditated by the lake. Then after you woke, you practiced your sitting skills and it was amazing. You are amazing!
One night at the trailer, you did get some chapped cheeks. It's like you got toasted like a marshmallow.
They were such a bright pink and it was adorable. But, I had to take care of it and so I consulted the Minneapolis Mamas and managed to get alternative to petroleum jelly. I won't let it happen again.
The amount of cute clothes and accouterments for babies is ridiculous but I can't resist when you look so good in everything I get you.
So, you got your first cold. So much snot from such a little baby! Then you gave me the cold and finally, your Dad got it. You had your first fever but it wasn't too high, so we let you ride it out and by the next day, it was gone. It must have done it's job because you weren't sick for very long. I got a little depressed thinking I couldn't meet the other Mamas for an Outing, but I talked to a few and they encouraged me to come anyway. Thankfully, you didn't make anyone else sick, but then, I think they all had it before you.
It's cold now and the snow has finally arrived. I can't wait for you to get older so you can understand and enjoy the snow as much as we do! We take you out in it so that you'll get used to it. So far so good! You don't seem to mind very much.
These days you are always tired. I'm working on getting you to nap but you fight it. But when you do nap it is for a couple of hours and that so sweet for me. I really should be getting more things done but I don't.
You started swimming lessons and you seemed to enjoy it, but we may never go back there. The pool was very cold and the locker room was a nightmare! It was a local high school and I tried to think of you spending time there on the swim team but maybe now is not the time. Next week we are all going up to the North Shore and there are two pools at the resort where we are staying. We plan to take you swimming every day and maybe we'll even get some underwater pictures of you. You really like floating on your back which is awesome because apparently most babies don't like that. But, your Dad lets you float on your back in the tub every night so maybe that's why you are used to it. I loved swimming when I was really little, so maybe you got that from me!
So, that's it for now, Little Lotus Bud. I'm going to try to be more punctual with this letter next month.
I love you so much!
From Me, your Mommy.
I love these letters. So cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I like writing these letters but I think the quality could be better but it's the best I can do when things get busy around here. I really hope she likes reading them when she's older!
ReplyDelete