Month Ten

Wishing your dad a happy Father's Day

Skylie,

I'm not sure where the last month went, but somehow we're to the end of June and your first birthday is creeping up on us. (Don't be disappointed with your first birthday party, okay Kiddo? I'll make sure your parties are rock-star amazing when you actually care.)

If there's one word I could use to describe you, it'd be "strong-willed". (That's a nice way of saying you're a bit dramatic and high maintenance these days.) If I leave the room or aren't quick enough to place food on your tray or rescue you from the confines of your crib after nap time, big tears well up in your eyes and you sob as though the world has ended.

It's a hard life you live, isn't it?

We usually spend time each day at swimming pools, splash pads, or parks. It's for my sanity more than your benefit, but I think it's good for you to interact with other children, and you really do like playing in the water.

Our neighbors, Lena and Theo with Skylie and Matt at our complex's pool

Skylie and her favorite guy

At Union Park splash pad with Mom

Last week we were sitting in a church meeting, and Marye (a friend from church) had you in her arms. Marye recently had a stroke so her speech isn't fully functioning, yet. Anyway, out of no where, Marye starts pointing at her arm and saying, "Bite. Bite." You'd clamped down on her arm and didn't want to let go. Your dad's reaction: he laughed really hard.

Nearly an hour later, Marye still had bite marks on her arm. Good one.

Mmm, what else...

Over Memorial Day we went on a family camp out to Bear Creek Campground. You were in heaven playing on the air mattress. Your dad and I worried how you'd sleep during the night, since you'd be sharing the mattress with us, but it wasn't bad at all.
You zonked out at 9:30 after going through a loopy, sleep deprived phase.
Don't ask me how you managed it, but during the night you worked your way from the far right side of the mattress where I slept all the way over to the left side of your dad. That is serious talent.

One day last week, you threw up four times in one hour. On second thought, the word "throw up" doesn't do justice to what you did. It was more like massive projectile spewing out of your mouth. You must have caught a bug, but now you're back to your happy, non-spewing self.

You're terrified of the vacuum and tremble with fear any time it's in sight. I feel sorry for you, but at the same time, it's so, so cute.

At ten months you:

• point

• purse your lips in the cutest smirk

• make funny dinosaur noises
• cruise
• take 2-3 steps at a time

• move from sitting to standing without assistance
• follow simple instructions when words and gestures are combined
• clap
• bounce to rhythm

• love reading stories
• love piggy-back rides on your dad's shoulders

• wear pig tails (and sometimes pull them out)

• smile and giggle with everyone who'll give you attention, especially other kids
• say lots of words (You're pretty much a genius and have invented your own language that consists of "da-da" and occasionally "ba-ba", "de-je", and "ma". If only the rest of us were up to par and understood your language.) You call your dad, "da-da". You call most everything else "da-da", too. But tonight at dinner you pointed at him and said, "Daddy," clearer than I've ever heard. Fluke? Maybe, but I'll take it. There's also a picture of Chris hanging outside your room. Often your dad and I will point to it and say, "Jesus". Last week you started pointing at it and about half of the time you'll say, "de-je".

You are fun and busy and I love it!

Giving me what I love best—your hugs

Thanks for all the loves and giggles. They always make my day.

Love,

Mom