Forest of Friends: 2014

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xo,
L, Z, & W

Mama is about 10 days behind on writing your letter this month, which is representative of the state of things around here. I am working around the clock for Create as Folk and Daddy’s work has been keeping him busy, too, so there hasn’t been much time for anything “extra.” I’m looking forward to taking it a little easier soon and having some days set aside for just being your mama and nothing else.

As busy as it’s been, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to start my day with your little grin. You’re still an early riser, usually waking up between 5-6 am, though we don’t let you get out of bed until 6. Daddy is on duty until the clock strikes 6, and then I come in to get you up and give you breakfast. I definitely have the good end of the deal on that one, because I get your wake-up smiles, which you give out every morning.

Speaking of sleep, you are finally napping pretty well. I thought the day would never come. You’re now doing all of your sleeping in your crib; no more swing or bouncy chair or bassinet. Ok, the occasional nap in Mama’s arms, but she can’t help it.

We started supplementing with formula this month since your weight percentile had plummeted, and now you are packing on the pounds. We just had your 6 month checkup the other day, and you had gained 3.5 pounds in the last month. That’s a lot for a little guy!

The big event this month was a visit from Mimi and Big Daddy. I so love seeing them with you. One of my favorite moments from their trip was a small one. You were all on the sofa, and Mimi was standing you up on her knees playing “bobble baby.” Big Daddy was stretched out watching you two play together, and he just kind of absent-mindedly pet your leg like you were a kitty. It was just simple and sweet and I wanted to freeze that moment. All of you were so happy to just enjoy each others’ company.

When Big Daddy first got here, he held out his hand you he could shake hands with you, and you reached both hands out to grab his hand. We had a laugh over that.

We started baby sign language with you this month. I can’t wait until that clicks and you can sign back to us.

Some things I want to remember about you now:

How you gleefully bounce in your jumperoo

How you turn pages of your board books (with two hands and great effort)

Your wildly kicking feet in the bathtub

How you rest your head on my shoulder when you’re tired

How you fall over to one side after sitting up for a few seconds

The pleased look on your face after you sneeze

The smell of your hair after a bath

The thump-thump-thump of your feet kicking the floor

Wyatt, one of my goals right now is to try to be half as happy as you are. It’s not that I’m unhappy, but seeing you take joy in little things all day long makes me want to do the same.

You are sleeping just in the next room right now, and I miss you. Can’t wait to see that morning grin.

Love,

Mama

Mr. Wyatt naps for you

At least this is how he naps for me.

The Aunties

Wyatt is lucky to have so many wonderful aunties!

There's Aunt Jess…

And Binky...

Auntie Vonda and Beckers…

…and now just to meet Aunt Sally!

5 month photos

Wyatt Month 5

Dear Wyatt,

You seem so big these days. Well, not literally very big. At your 4 month check-up, your already small weight percentile had plummeted even further, so I am trying to fatten you up with extra feedings. But in all other areas, I'm starting to see glimpses of Wyatt The Little Boy, not just Wyatt The Baby.

You love to sit and stand with assistance, even though you're a little wobbly when you stand and look like you're doing the hula. This month you rolled from back to front, though it was with lots of effort, squealing, and tears. You would try and try and get so mad, but instead of taking a break, you just kept at it until you got it. You easily roll from front to back, and your legs seem to be constantly kicking. As I look ahead at the skills you'll be developing in the next couple months, we're really moving into a new era of baby.

This month, Dad went on a week long trip to London for work, and we made it without him. Auntie Vonda and Beckers came to visit for about half the week and finally got to meet you. Luckily, you slept pretty well that week so we did alright just the two of us. But we were both glad to see Daddy when he got home! Seeing the look of recognition spread across your face upon seeing him was precious. I have no way to know if you missed his presence while he was gone, but you sure were happy to see him.

In fact, you are rivaling Binky for the title of "Happy Baby." You still smile real big when I come to get you out of your crib in the morning, and are generally happy as a clam as long as you don't fuss about getting to sleep.

We shared a sweet moment together last week. You had a hard time falling asleep for your last nap of the day, so I let you nap in my arms in my bed. You started to stir, so I squinted my eyes in the hopes that if you didn't think anyone was up for playing you would go back to sleep (ha). You looked around the room a little, and then when you saw my face you smiled. You did this several times, and it was enough to bring tears to your grateful mama's eyes.

Somethings I want to remember about you now:

You want to put everything in your mouth, and do so by making a big open maw, shaking your head back and forth, and trying to cram the entirely of large objects in there. We laugh and laugh.

Your gurgle, especially during your nightly yoga.

You curl up and roll onto your side like a pill bug.

When I take you to the grocery store and wear you in the carrier, your head is the perfect height to bow down and kiss. I talk to you all through the store, and several people have done a double take to see the crazy lady who appears to be talking to herself. Then they see you and smile.

How warm and cuddly you are when you wake up.

We love you, Wyatt, and it's our honor to be your parents.

Love,

Mama

Mr. Wyatt leads the marching band for you

Mr. Wyatt chuckles for you

See how he grows

4 month photos

Wyatt Month 4

July 19, 2014

Dear Wyatt,

Has is already been four months? Has it only been four months? I think both of those things at the same time; somedays it’s like you just got here, and other days it’s like you’ve been with us forever.

It’s been a big month for visitors. You met your Aunt Jess for the first time, Mimi came to visit, and Binky is here now. You have charmed all of them with your big smiles and new chirps. It is so rewarding to see you interact with your different family members and begin to form relationships with them. Even though they don’t get to see you as much as they’d like to, the whole family is gaga over you and everyone has their own special things they adore about you.

You are very aware of your world now. You often follow someone with your eyes when they cross the room. You love watching any kind of movement, including the ceiling fan. One day you, me, and your dad were in the bedroom, and you paused to watch a dancing shadow on the wall as the wind blew the leaves outside. It is truly amazing to witness you discover things like that that we don’t even notice anymore.

You have a whole new repertoire of sounds, and even your cries are different; instead of just wails you articulate little baby syllables when you cry (which you’re doing much less of at night but more of at naps. Maybe someday you’ll sleep well for both.) You make lots of high pitched squeals, and your thing lately is gurgly Wookie noises. We have lots of “conversations” with you and encourage to you to make more sounds. I’m sure that’s good for your development, but your sounds are so darn cute we just want to hear more of them.

You’ve discovered your feet. You’ve always been a kicker, and last month you started looking at your feet, but now you can grab them. Your hands are constantly in your mouth, as is any toy we give you. Most of the time after I hold you I have a little slobber spots on my shirt. Here’s how much I love you: I think they’re kinda cute.

Maybe the biggest change this month is that you are no longer sleeping in our room. Just a few nights ago we moved you into the crib in your bedroom. You were ready for it and are sleeping better, but it feels a little funny to have you “far” away at night (your bedroom is attached to ours).

Some things I want to remember about you now:

How happy you get when we wrap you up in a towel and you realize that a bath is about to happen.

How your dad gives you bubble baths.

The way you grin after sneezing--it delights you so.

How you smile and squint your eyes during our new favorite game: ghost baby.

They way you love ‘itsty bitsy” yoga before bath.

How you snuggle in like a little monkey when I carry you.

How still you get when we give you something new to smell.

How you kick one leg out of your swaddle.

Wyatt, you are a hoot and you make us laugh every single day, Several times a week your dad and I look at each other in disbelief over how lucky we are to have you. We love you more than we ever knew we could.

Love,

Mama

Mr. Wyatt chirps for you

Wyatt Month 3

Dear Wyatt,

To be honest, this has been a very hard month.

I made my first major Mutherblunder by trying to change some of your sleep habits. I tried to change too much too soon, and you understandably had a difficult time adjusting. Some days it would take two hours for you to fall asleep for a nap, crying in my arms the whole time. Many days you would nap only in my arms, which meant hours a day in a dark room with limited bathroom breaks, meals, and sleep for me. This was even harder than when you were a brand new baby because there was no family here to help. You cried a lot. I cried a lot. A lot of the time, we all just tried to get to the end of the day.

I hesitate to tell you all this, because it’s not a picture perfect story. But I want to practice honesty and vulnerability with you so that you can develop those strengths. And I want you to learn that even during difficult times, there are moments of light.

Moments like you laughing for the first time.

Moments like watching you discover the wind blowing leaves.

Moments like you and your dad smiling at each other.

My boy, when you weren’t having trouble sleeping, you were smiling up a storm.

Sometimes I’ll leave you on your playmat for a minute to go do something, and when I come back, you’re looking around the room and smiling. Just because.

When I go to get you out of bed in the morning, I turn off your white noise machine, open the blinds to let in some natural light, peek into your bed, and then sing your wake up song. As soon as you see me, your whole face lights up. It is the best way I could imagine to start my day.