Ten months old

Ten.

I really cannot believe that.

You have started interacting with us more and more each day. You play games, laugh at silly things, and crawl fast away from us when we are chasing you. One of your very favorite things to do is dance. Whenever you hear music or somebody starts to sing or clap or play an instrument, you immediately start your bouncing and kicking and fist waving. Some of the sweetest parts of parenthood so far have been the times that we turn the music up and have a family dance party with Daddy. Mama jumps and sings, Daddy swings and throws you into the air, and you bounce and smile, laughing and squealing. Sweetest times of my life.

I've seen your compassionate heart shine through many times this past month. You are tender, just like I am, and that is what we prayed over you. There have been moments where I was scared, upset or crying. And each time, you have noticed and crawled to me, put those chubby fingers on my face and looked into my eyes. And I'm telling you, sweet thing, it is so good for my heart. You are a comforter. Oh, you are teaching me to comfort others.

Daddy and I ask for "kisses please?" and you have started planting your open mouth, tongue out, right on our lips. Sometimes when you aren't feeling up to all of the close up face time, you'll put your hand straight out and allow us to kiss those sweet little palms.

You love beets! LOVE THEM. They've probably skipped right on up to 3rd or 4th in line of your favorite foods. Also, squash, no skin and hold the seeds.

You have four little teeth, and we cannot get enough of how cute you are with them. The other morning, you figured out how to grind them together. I cannot wait for that to stop, and neither can Daddy.

This month, you've been wanting to be rocked to sleep more than you used to. It's a beautiful way of staying my baby and being a big girl at the same time. And I appreciate you letting me hold you close to me while you sleep. It is a incredible and divine gift that I am not worthy of, to watch you fall asleep against my chest as I pray thankfulness and protection and love over you.

This month, I pray that you stay tender.

I pray that you're brave. Sure of yourself.

And I pray that you feel in your heart more and more each day just how profoundly and incredibly and beautifully you have wrecked your Daddy and Mama's hearts.

You are my Birdie, and I love you,

Happy ten months,

Mama