Letter to Miss Leyba: Month Eleven

Dear Miss Leyba,

You are eleven months old now!

And this is my last monthly letter. (Look, I am so excited about this that I even wrote it early.)

Not that I haven’t enjoyed writing them, but from here on out I am going to write to you at a minimum every year on your birthday… but more realistically I am going to write when I feel inspired to do so: when you have a new accomplishment or I have a cute story about you that I want us to remember.

And let’s face it: this whole blog has morphed from Carrie’s daily happenings to MISS LEYBA’S FAN CLUB! Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I wrote a post just about me. And mama deserves a little blog face time too, don’t you think?

Before I start rambling about this past month, I have a little catch up to do. In the last letter I forgot to write about what a cuddly and affectionate girl you are becoming. You give us giant hugs and super wet kisses every day. You are also so very smiley and happy these days. Oh, your cute laughing and happy shrieking! (Especially when Daddy is playing with you!) I think you are coming into your own.

The big development this month is that you are teetering on the edge of walking by yourself! All month you walked around holding our hand (yes, one hand! how do you balance yourself?!) and took the occasional steps by yourself. When this happened you almost immediately squatted down and clapped for yourself (and we cheered!).

Earlier this week though you started really taking steps on your own. Last night you took 9 steps in a row and it went something like this:

Step, step, pause. Step, step, pause. Step, step, pause. Step, step, pause. Step, pause… Cheer and clap!

Sometimes you are so excited that you are walking that you start cheering, waving your hands and clapping for yourself while you’re walking and then you almost always wipe out (i.e. sit down). We’re thrilled that you’re so proud of yourself and, my god, is it cute when you cheer for yourself, but it really can be hard to multitask. Especially when it messes with your balance and everything.

And I almost forgot — you now have teeth! Not just one tooth, but FOUR! Despite this, you have been incredibly smiley and happy. You’re continually breastfeeding though: evidently I am the ultimate comforter. There is no thumb sucking or a special favorite toy (yet!). There is mama. And boy do you love me! (I love you too, sweetie!)

Things that are big this month: clapping, waving and saying “bye bye.” You’ve been doing all of the above for a while, but now you are REALLY doing them. I know I say this a lot, but just when we thought you couldn’t talk more or clap more and wave more, you surprise us. What can I say? You continually amaze us.

You continue to love knocking down towers of blocks, reading books, singing songs (you even do the hand motions for “If you’re happy and you know it” most of the time!), dropping objects (off the high chair, off the bed, off the changing table), and following after us. You like to be in the middle of the action. And doing everything we’re doing. (Hence, the above photo where you are evidently working on our grocery list.)

I am getting very good at cooking while holding you. And unloading the dishwasher. And even doing the dishes. And loading up the laundry.

If we can’t find the remote (or a book or shoe or cell phone), chances are you’ve hidden it under the couch. You love putting things under there.

Sweetie, we just keep having so much fun together. And just when I think we couldn’t possibly have more fun together or you couldn’t possibly get any cuter, you blow me away and prove that we can and you are.

Life with you and Daddy rocks. We are all so happy.

2008 has been my favorite year ever.

I love you, little one.

Love,
Mama