Ten months old!

Dear Katie Beth,

I was surprised to find you pantless when I picked you up from the nursery after my Bible study today. The three teachers all were smiling and shaking their heads, peppering me with comments about how you worked up such a sweat, you are so curious, into everything, a little spider, so busy, how do I get anything done at home, took two to change your diaper, etc. I grinned, feeling as though we'd formed a sort of sisterhood of Katie Beth Wranglers. Then I scooped you up and smothered you with kisses, because you're my girl, and I wouldn't change a thing.

To highlight the past month that flew by:

Ding dong, the reflux's gone!

Apparently when doctors and other mothers said you'd grow out of it in nine months, they'd done some research. One day I realized that the drawer of bibs and burb pads that always seemed empty, was overflowing with terry cloth. The dalmatian pattern on the floor was getting fainter, and I was able to leave the house without a change of clothes...for myself. Hallelujah!

Early riser

As in if the first digit on the clock is a "6" when I hear you waking in the morning, I feel as if we slept in. Usually it's 4:45...5:15. That was all fine and good back in the day when you'd fall back asleep nursing. Now, as soon as the bottle is gone, the game is on! And we're not talking "Quiet Mouse". Which usually means Ben is joining in on the action well before the sun too. And while your morning naps are usually a solid 1.5 hours or so, your afternoon nap is not predictable, which can make all of us slaves to your bedtime routine or else you get a wee-bit temperamental.

Bow boycott

As hard as I've tried to prevent it, I knew this day would come. If you are frustrated, if you are tired, if you feel it in your hair, if you see a bow across the room... you frantically search the right side of your head to rip out any ribboned accessory you may find. It's maddening really, especially when I don't know you've done it until we get home and I realized we've donated yet another bow to the Target parking lot or chimp exhibit at the zoo. These things don't grow on trees after all. So, until Grandma decides to pick up bow making as her next hobby...cut it out missy.

Fortunately, I've got more tricks up my sleeve.

Allow me to introduce the ponytail!

The Cheerleader

The Pebbles Flintstone

Power squats

Hands down, your favorite pasttime this month has been cruising, pushing buttons on the cable box and practicing your balance in standing. You're taking a calculated approach and keeping your knees bent, which allows for maximum stability...sometimes lasting 30 seconds or more. Usually at that point, you get excited, squeal and flap your arms and pop down on your cushy Huggies butt.

hold it, hold it...and pulse 2, 3, 4....

weeble wobble!

Don't worry Zoe. I'm sure she's not about to smack your head.

Or grab your tongue.

just hanging out

Combining all your moves to try to hoist baby Stella into her stroller

Dairy farm is closed

It was a good run, but your curiosity with the world around you led to shorter and less-frequent nursing sessions, which led to a lower milk supply, which led to your weight plateauing, which all led to the switch to formula at 9.5 months. I had some milk saved up, but you are now officially a Similac baby...and a bit of a binge drinker. You start panting and squirming as soon as you see that bottle coming, and have mastered the art of holding it yourself. I have to say that, although I was hoping to nurse for your first year, I am enjoying the convenience of handing the bottle to you in the car, letting Daddy take the early shift on Sundays and also the fact that I know exactly how much milk you are getting every day. Bottom line is we want you to be healthy and put a little extra meat on your bones.

But maybe not on your thighs...

Getting ready for swimsuit season!

We actually had some pleasant-weather days in February, which drove us outside as often as possible. Since birth, you have been an outdoors girl - the only place that could calm a newborn scream session still has that effect during baby meltdowns. But it's been fun to play in the backyard instead of just pray for quiet!

Watching you really look at the sky for the first time, feel the wind, stare at tress, laugh at birds and squirrels has been some of my absolute favorite moments...not only of the month, but of being a mother. The awe, the wonder...there is something truly sacred of rediscovering the world through the eyes of a child.

Your family loves this journey, Katie Beth...thanks for taking us along!

love,

Mommy

P.S. Monthly chair-picture outtakes...you can see why the one at the top was the best I could do. Someone doesn't sit still for too long, and I did what I could to corral!