Month Nine

Dear Abe-

The posting is late again, but this time I am blaming you. You have worn your mother out so badly, that by the time I get some free time, I can barely lift my fingers from sheer exhaustion. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating a little, but you have all of the sudden turned into a mover and a shaker, who will not sit down for five minutes straight and play with a toy. Your Daddy said it used to be easier when we could strap you into things, but now, GOD FORBID we do such a thing. Such restraint would cause you to scream at an eardrum-busting pitch (a new development that I am less than fond of.)

This month has had a lot of action, and most of it was spent with you being sick. I hate it when you are sick, because it makes me more nervous than usual. Our doctor finally gave you antibiotics, and I was so happy because I thought you would finally get better -- well, it actually made you worse in a way, because it hurt your little tummy. All of the sudden you did not want to eat anything, and that is very unlike you. I thought you were going to waste away into little baby skin and bones. But, that wasn't even the worst part. The worst part was the diarrhea. Now, we have witnessed some diarrhea before -- but this takes the cake. I would be sitting at work and have "phantom smells." The smell was embedded in my nostrils. We especially loved your blow out at Le Peeps. I am sure those lovely people really enjoyed their breakfast after seeing a little baby covered in poop.

I have had to say the words "no" and "danger" to you a lot. Frankly, I thought it was a little early to be disciplining a baby, but let's just say you make it very hard not to. When you are sitting in your highchair and are drinking your sippy cup, you insist on letting me know you are finished by throwing it. Sometimes it is behind you, sometimes it is at the wall, sometimes it is at Ozzie. The other day you threw a Cheerio at me, and then started doing your deep chuckle. Heh heh heh heh heh. While your Daddy and I cannot contain our laughter now, it will not be funny in a few months. I really hope we are not going to need the help of Supernanny.

You are also constantly pulling yourself up on all of the furniture and when you try to get off of the couch you go head first. You are fearless. You have hit your face on every surface in our living room. Grandma Jillsy would like you to wear a helmet and mouth guard when she is watching you, because you make her nervous.

Speaking of Grandma Jillsy, she has ended her employment at the Drlich household. We all miss her, and even though you cannot talk yet, I think you miss her, too. We became very accustomed to having an extra pair of hands around, which makes me think that all babies should have three parents. And, of course, Grandma Jillsy always sang you songs, and you got to watch Rosie and Elisabeth go at it on the View every day.

I am going to take this time to briefly discuss how much of a baby genius you are. (I know i am one of those annoying parents, but I can't help it.) When we roll a ball to you, you can THROW it back to us. That is the most advanced thing I have ever seen! I am calling the Today Show right now. Also, you really hate the little monkey on your animal train, and when we hang him on the bar, you spin him around until he falls off, then proceed to laugh maniacally. Then, when we give him to you, you throw him. What did that monkey ever do to you? I am searching Google to see if there is any correlation between baby geniuses and monkey haters.

You are starting to realize who I am. Instead of the chick that puts the bottle in your mouth, and sucks the boogies out of your nose, I am your mama – master of hugs and kisses and making you feel all better. When you are upset or don’t feel good, or just have smashed your face into the coffee table you start flailing your little arms and reaching for me. When I come home you make a little squeal and start crawling toward me like you are in a baby race. It is the best feeling in the world. I think having your baby hug you back for the first time is why people have kids. You will never know how much a hug makes all of my problems disappear. I can’t stop kissing your face, your head, your hands, your feet. You are the most kissed baby in the whole entire world. I am so amazed how every single day I love you so much more.

Love,
Mama

P.S. Be good to Daddy this summer.