#29: Half a Year with G

Dear Genevieve, 

We have enjoyed your company for half of a year now! Your papa and I have loved each day. You bring so much joy, laughter, and love into our lives. We cherish the memories of all those stages you are already beyond, and see you as the culmination of all those past versions that make up this (ever-changing) current (and adorable) version of you. We are so grateful to watch as your personality buds and your features and body bloom.

You are still very curious and relaxed. Though you definitely have intensity and sass when you are frustrated or are trying to communicate what you want.  You now love your rattles and do not seem to care when you aggressively shake them into your own head or belly. In fact, you seem pleased by your own power. You are very independent during play and love to roll about reaching and grasping your toys. Your pincer grasp has been impressive to us for months. You actually reach for and grab the little bell on your hanging mobile with so much care and precision. 

You have given up your love of ceiling fans and instead focus your gaze on your puppy dogs. You are sent into a full-belly fit of laughter when they bark and chase neighbor dogs along the fence. This is something that always drove me crazy, yet your giggles make me appreciate the previously unseen silliness of their fluffy butts running along the borders. You being here and being as you are truly has had an impact on your papa's and my outlook on many aspects of life. We are so amazed by the feelings you evoke and how you help us hold things differently.

You too have changed from clumsily taking your paci to being a full-fledged thumb sucker. We certainly prefer this, because you find it so easily and self soothe like a champ. You have slept through the night since we began allowing you to do so at four months old. You only occasionally need a bottle or some extra cuddles to fall back asleep. You love when we sing Barney's "I love You" song as we zip you into your sleep sack and so long as you are not going through a growth spurt, you do not want us to rock you to sleep but get cozy on your own in your crib. 

We enjoy our days and are venturing out more and more. You loved the Salado creek and were mesmerized by the clarity of the water. You flash a broad smile upon greeting all of our various neighbors and visitors to our home. You are relaxed on patios and while shopping. You love car rides with the puppies to get takeout, too. But you do not like being out and confined for too long, so we prefer to keep outings brief. 

Our daily routine is predictable and so much fun. We read books--rotating seasonal books has made the holidays feel extra joy-filled. I can't wait to build our library with each passing year. We also sing songs--you are loving "Silent Night" the most of our holiday jams and when papa pulls out the guitar and we sing "Rivers of Babylon." We do lots of playing too. During tummy time you stretch for toys and roll all around your room and play yard in the living room. Burlioz loves resting his head on the ledge of the play yard and watches you carefully as you go about your 'baby business.' Heidi still comes to sniff on you and kiss your feet. And your drool from teething rivals theirs! You can sit assisted on your chair, in my lap, highchair, and bumbo seat. It cracks me up the way you place on arm on the back of it like you're chilling hard (or lampin' as Leon on Curb would say). 

As we usher in a new phase of solid foods and more advanced movement and communication I am reminded that you will move through these milestones at the pace that makes sense for you. We are holding space and watching for ways to challenge you within your own unique developmental windows. We love watching you beam with joy as you do or experience something new or do something for the first time and are not preoccupied with racing through milestones. 

When I think back to one year ago, We had not yet learned you were a girl nor had we told family of your imminent arrival. So much change occurs in a short period of time. That is why all we can do is embrace whatever phase we find ourselves. The epithet that change is the only constant in life holds true. You will be a million different versions of yourself in this lifetime. I cannot wait to meet each one of them and love and support you in whatever capacity you want and need. I am here for you, and so grateful for how you are here for me too. 

I considered what type of poem I wanted to write for you in this letter and an acrostic poem seemed most appropriate. This is because you are really feeling like 'Genevieve' now and coming into your own self, and beyond the tiny-seed, newborn phase. 

G-E-N-E-V-I-E-V-E you are..
Generous with smiles 
Engaging and focused
Nearly always relaxed
Expressive and conversational 
Vibrant and as radiant as your eyes 
Impossibly adorable 
Endlessly loved 
Very snuggle-able
Ever becoming 

I love you so, and it is an honor to watch you grow.
Love,
Mom