Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Dear Will,

Today you are seven months old. Seven months. Seven. I’m a tiny bit sad tonight as I write this…you’re tucked in your crib, dreaming sweet dreams. You’re so big, baby. You’re growing up so fast. You need me less and less each day…you’re becoming more independent and I know that in the blink of an eye you’ll be grown up and you really won’t need your Mommy anymore…So tonight, I’m just a little bit sad that you’re growing up.

I love you more than words can express. When you army crawl across the bathroom while I’m in the shower and knock the dog’s water bowl over, I love you. When you throw a little temper tantrum when you don’t get your way, I love you. When you’re up all night, I love you. You stole my heart the moment you came into this world and things haven’t been the same since. I cherish the days with you, sweetheart. I don’t think I’ve told you how lucky I feel that I am able to stay at home with you during these precious days. I get to hear you giggle at the dogs chasing after their toys, I get to watch you discover the world around you, I get to shower you in kisses and love you with abandon every second of the day. I’m so thankful for your Daddy, Will. He knows how much this time with you means to me, and he would give up anything to make me happy, even if that means we have to live with a little less since I’m not teaching. He has so much to teach you…things about life, and love, and being a man of God. You are lucky to have him as a Daddy; you’re so lucky you get to learn from him. He may not be a man of many words, but watch his actions and you’ll go far.

As I watch you grow, one thing I admire about you is how determined you are. You’ve been this way since day one, but it’s really starting to shine through as you grow. When you were not even a day old, you started trying to hold your head up on your own. I have no idea why you were so determined to do it, but you were and you did. No obstacles can stop you from doing what you want…you passionately pursue the things your heart desires, be it toys across the room or my laptop that you want to bang on. I hope you never lose this trait, Will. I hope you chase hard after your dreams and never let someone tell you that your dreams are unattainable. Because they’re not baby boy, they’re not. And I pray I can teach you to have a heart of the Lord. Because if you have a heart of the Lord, then your dreams are His dreams. And with your determination and His dreams, you can do so much for His Kingdom!

Seven months seems so long in theory, but so short in actuality. I’ve gotten to soak up seven months of memories with you. Memories like you laughing hysterically at the dogs in your bath tonight. You giving me hugs when you get up from your naps. You banging your tiny little palms against the wood floor, the table, your highchair tray, my arms. You taking your paci out of your mouth just so you can cry. You laying your sweet head against my chest as I rock you to sleep. You experiencing the feel of paint squishing through your fingers. You sitting in the grass for the first time and relishing in the scratchy, coolness of it. I could go on and on about the memories I have of you!

These days you’re into everything! You’re fast…I never realized how fast a non-crawling little person could move. You catch me off guard all the time and melt my heart with your toothless little smile. You army crawl everywhere and are practicing getting up on your hands and knees. You pull up on everything (including your crib and the bathtub). You love your pacifier. You’re wearing size 3 diapers and wearing 6-9 month clothing. Your pants are way too big around the waist and just barely long enough – I foresee that being an issue all your life! You’ve started giving hugs when I get you out of your crib (and they totally make my heart melt). You’ve started on some finger foods and are loving them!

I could write about you forever, but I’ll stop here for tonight. I love you, Will. I love you more than you’ll ever know.

Love,
Mommy