Blake

Blake- month 7

By Andria ⋅ June 9, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Dear Blake,

My, what a month it was. A month of many firsts, and a few lasts. Before I list your accomplishments, I just want to tell you again how much I absolutely adore you. From the moment you wake in the morning, with your toothy little grin, to the end of the day, when we cuddle together, and your breathing deepens as you drift off to sleep. The way you sigh in your sleep, and worm your way into my body for warmth and security. I adore your very being- even the moments where you pinch my skin, or bite my breasts. Some could say that I love you. And, I would agree.

We started off the month with your Mommy depressed about you turning half a year. Little boy, you are growing way too fast. Your sixth month marked the beginning of a new addiction for you- solids. Way back when, I had decided that we would delay the start of solids because of several reasons. When you had your first taste of cereal, you wrinkled your nose, and continued to squeal and twist your body as you played in the Bumbo. Over time, you have begun to enjoy the cereal, and the other foods that I have started introducing into your diet. I was sad at first, worried that you would abandon my breasts in favor of food. But, your male instincts shined through, and the breasts won. You still want them throughout the day, even if it’s not for nutrition, but instead something to gnaw on.

You now have two teeth, and one more poking it’s way through. You have been such a little trooper throughout it all, but I can tell they hurt by the way you clamp down on my breasts when you are nursing. During the first week, I thought you were going to bite through them, as you corrected your latch, and became used to that new razor that you were sporting. You also like to randomly bite knees, elbows, and fingers. This past Saturday, I thought you were leaning in for a kiss, and instead you grabbed the cartilage of my nose with your two teeth. I cried. You laughed. And now, my nose is off-limits to you.

You have the cutest way of smiling at us- the same way that your sister did when she was your age. You wrinkle your nose up, as you give a sheepish little grin. It just absolutely melts our hearts. But, you already knew how to do that. This was just the icing on the cake of cuteness.

Along with the firsts, came your first haircut. From the moment of your birth, we noticed that on both sides of your head were segments of hair that grew longer than anywhere else. Little sideburns, of sorts. As they grew, they began to curl. And, I would tuck them behind your ears. During play, I would stand them out, and call you Bozo the Clown. While they were cute, I noticed that you just looked “off”. Maybe it’s me- I’m the type who doesn’t think all babies are pretty. Especially those that have funny looking strands of hair, and their Mamas attempt to “cute it up” by giving them a combover. Blake, I’m not going to do that to you. I don’t want you to resemble those babies- so, I chopped your locks off. You can have your first combover when you are 60. Capiche?

With summer underway, you went swimming for the first time this past month. You have been a water baby from the beginning, and see no reason to stop it now. At first, you clung to me because the water was so cold. But, after a few minutes, you started splashing at the water, and giggling at the antics of Ailane and Capone. You are such a happy little man, and on our perpetual list of things-to-do is to put up a safety fence around the pool. I can see that you will have no fear of the water, and, that somewhat scares me.

I have noticed how much you are growing up, changing, and becoming interactive with objects in your world. You are beginning to test your independence, and can sit by yourself for minutes at a time. You have the “Army crawl” going on, and it won’t be long until you are completely mobile. You don’t seem to need my arms as much, which depending on the moment, can be a relief or an “humph” sort of moment.

Throughout your life, you have bathed with me. We splash and wash, alongside each other. It’s a way to end or begin our day, and I treasure those moments with you. (One day, you will gag at the thought that I bathed with you. Consider it payback for biting my nipples.) At the end of our bath, your Daddy will sometimes come get you, so that I can get out and dry off. Usually, I bundle you up and put you in the baby bath, or place you on the bed. Last week, I decided to see if you could sit in the tub by yourself, as the water was draining. You did so, and happily splashed as I dried off first.

Later, as I sat nursing you, I noticed that I could no longer see your soft spot pulsing. I used to sit and rock you, and watch it pulse as you nursed. It’s closing up I suppose, and just another sign that you are growing up.

You have stopped humming for the most part when I am walking or rocking you to sleep. Starting at three months, you would hum along with me, and over time, it started to reach a crescendo. You do it every so often now, but it’s not a constant like it once was. Once you are asleep, we curl up together, with you now facing outwards. The days of you breathing into my chest are over, and once you are finished nursing, you turn out and wiggle your body against my chest. There you sleep, until you wake. Then you turn over, and smile at me, as if thanking me for backing you up.

Blake, I will always have your back. Always. That is, until you marry, and I will have to take her side. After all, she will be the mother of my grandchildren. And, she’s female. Women are always right. Just remember that, and it will save you many arguments.

I love you, my little snooky bear.

Love always,
Mama

Monthly statistics:
Weight- 21.5 lbs.
Height- 28.25 in.
Head- 48 cm

His first taste of cereal…

The cast of characters- (Rice cereal, breast milk to mix with it, a bowl and spoon):

And, the video.