10 Months

Dear August,

You are now 10 months old - well actually, 10.5 because I am a couple of weeks late on writing this letter to you - and you have officially been out of my body as long as you were in it. This is a crazy insight, as it seems that you have been in this world so much longer.

As I sit down to write, you are playing at my feet, quite content, with my computer cord and the vacuum attachments (why do we buy toys?). You are Mr. Curious. You grab, pull, shake, bang, throw, and taste most anything within reach. We have had to "baby-proof" so much more than with your sister and you still manage to find trouble on a daily basis. You love the dishwasher and the refrigerator with a passion. I have developed an instinctual arm guard to fend you off as I grab a quick drink or put a dish away. I have also been known to open one of these to provide you brief entertainment while I finish a quick call or task.

Although this curiosity has lead to a few falls and torn books, I am quite certain it will also provide a great foundation for growth and learning. This is what I tell myself. Your dad is the best at letting you explore - they say you two are similar so he must relate to your need for adventure. I, on the other hand, am having to learn to let go. The first big test came this month when your dad and I left you and your sister with Mimi and Pops for four days. It was my first nights away from you and really challenged my need to control every second of your day. Since we've been back I've realized that you are already doing a good job of that yourself. You decide if you are going to eat, sleep, crawl or be held... as much as I'd like to think it is up to me, it's not. You are actually VERY strong willed. Again, I am coping by hoping this will serve you well in the future.

You've had a few more health issues this month. I hate to even complain/comment on it because we really are so grateful for the wonderful health you do have. We are so thankful that you show no signs of Eden's heart condition, but are learning about the triangle of conditions that you seem to struggle with - Airway disease (early asthma?), skin sensitivities, and allergies. You first began breathing treatments several months ago when your persistent, wheezing cough lingered for weeks. Now, as soon as you show signs of a cold we hook you up to the nebulizer. This is not your favorite 15 minutes... shocker... and I dread this part of the day. Then, your chest started breaking out, followed by a nasty diaper rash, both obviously very irritating as you would immediately scratch either area when given the opportunity. Let me tell you, this has made changing your diaper quite an event, not recommended to the reflex impaired. You were already super squirmy, now add itchy, grabby, and twisty. Impossible. Thankfully, you have been responding well to all of the cream, oral, and inhaled treatments and your attitude remains unaffected.

Of course, you continue to learn, grow and advance. This is almost happening faster than we can manage. You went from crawling to the bottom stair and banging on it... to climbing up all fifteen in a matter of days. If we don't have you strapped into your highchair just right, you are often found standing in your seat, with the occasional escape onto the kitchen table. You can work your way around a room, with a sporadic step taken in between furniture. And you will push or carry an object that almost equals your weight without hesitation. You love your pacifier with a passion. You hate every milli-second that it takes to wipe your nose. And you are very generous with your affection - often described as the most cuddly boy around.