Love Letter: Month Eleven

Dear Lillian,

Today is your 11 month birthday and you, my girl, have been busy....that mobility thing is pretty amazing, isn't it?

This month you've been crawling everywhere and anywhere. In addition, you started pulling yourself up into the standing position with the help of basically anything in sight. It started with the ottomans, moved to the couch, then to the bookcase, and now you reach up for anything that may give you some support. Standing seems to be the thing you like to do best of all and you even have started "walking". You'll pull yourself up at one end of the couch and make your way down to the other end just to pet the cat or to try to get your hands on the remote control. You also like to walk while holding onto our hands......always with a huge smile on your face. I have no idea when you'll be able to walk completely on your own, but I think I may have been spent far too much time worrying about that flower girl role coming up at the end of April as I think you'll have it worked out by then.

Speaking of your big smile, I'm happy to report that it's now sporting a total of FOUR teeth. Yep, this month your top front two teeth have made an appearance and man, they are BIG. Unfortunately they seem to have a gap in between them so I've been calling you my buck tooth baby. I know, it's not very endearing, but just know that your Mama has dealt with plenty of her own teeth issues so it only comes with understanding and love. In the end, I promise you that we'll do whatever it takes to make that smile of yours just as amazing inside as it is outside.

During the last four weeks you've decided that you'd rather just feed yourself rather than have us feed you. Needless to say the cereal and puree's are about out the door. I still try to sneak a few bites in between when you're shoving something into your mouth in the attempt to make sure you are completely full. You've expanded your palette this month and I don't have enough space to list everything you like. Just know that we've tried really hard to make sure that you are exposed to a variety of foods. We've had many guests who have seen you eating an avocado and are amazed. What can I say, I'm trying really hard NOT to raise a picky eater.

Last week was Thanksgiving so of course you had turkey and ham for the first time.....with ham being your favorite of the two. We also found out that you are a big fan of beats...who would have thunk? We did have to shield you from all the desserts the family was trying to sneak you, but unfortunately I know a dab of Cool Whip and a lick of vanilla ice cream made it past my reach. I know, I'm such a mean Mama. Thanksgiving weekend also brought you to your second parade.....this time an Ice House Parade in Aitken, MN, population 1,900. Nothing says Minnesota like ice houses and they take them VERY seriously in Aitkin. You also were around three dogs which I think you thought were just big kitty's as you kept saying "ka-tea" when they came around. Of course the family noticed how much you seemed to like them and now think you need one of your own. I'm just hoping they completely understood our stance.....NO DOGS!!!

With Thanksgiving a thing of the past, your first Christmas is now upon us and we're obviously quite excited. We've already started singing carols and have rearranged the furniture to make room for your first tree. We also need to shop for your first Hallmark ornament and a stocking....both family traditions. I'm pretty convinced you'll be more enthralled with the wrapping paper than any actual presents, but it should be fun to see what you think about all that non-sense. In the end, what I'm personally most excited about it getting to spend an entire week with my best girl. I haven't taken any time off work since my maternity leave and a vacation is past due.

Lillian, you've grown up so much in these last eleven months...so much so that I can hardly remember that three pound newborn. I'm sure your first birthday is going to bring about far more emotions than I'd care to admit to so I'm just REALLY happy to be able to spend some quality time with you and your Papa. I'm not ashamed to say that there isn't anyone else in the world I'd rather spend my time with. Miss Girl, life began when I saw your face......

Love, Mama

Sleep Issues

Lillian slept through the night in her crib from age 4 months through 9 months......11-12 glorious hours of uninterrupted sleep.....oh those were good times. And then she got her first cold, learned how to crawl, started pulling herself up, and got her two upper front teeth. Needless to say the last 7 weeks haven't been as glorious.

THIS is how we find her at some point during the night....standing up and peering at us through her crib rails as if she's in jail. We've done EVERYTHING under the sun to get her to calm down, but unfortunately NONE of it seems to work. Actually, ONE thing seems to work, but that involves removing her from said bed.

Here's where I admit to having no idea how to teach an almost 11 month old how to get herself back to sleep. And worse than that, I can't seem to get her to understand that it's OK to hang out in her crib if she is in fact NOT sleeping.

Anyway, enough complaining. Go ahead and start sending me your tips.....I've readily opened up the flood gates. I'm pretty sure I've heard and tried it all, but who knows....maybe I'll be surprised. At this point, I'll try anything.

Sincerely,
Sleepless in Minneapolis

Her FIRST Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with the Mehmen's at the cabin in Emily, MN. Instead of shopping on Friday we went to an Ice House Parade....because that's what north wood Minnesotans do I guess. All in all, I think it was a memorable first Thanksgiving for my best girl.

What???

Isn't this how ALL Mama's get laundry done?

J "busted" me last night doing laundry with Miss Lillian for the first time. My response..."Let's see how you'd do it buddy!" I've got TWO flights of stairs to climb, she fits perfectly, and doesn't seem to mind. In my opinion, you just do whatever works.....and THIS works.

Good Morning Papa

I'm ready to get up.....NOW!!

Well THIS is a Tricky Situation

Finally Some Construction

Piles have been driven for weeks now and the crane is going up. After TWO YEARS, I'm finally seeing some construction. That truly has been the hardest adjustment for me regarding working on a such a BIG project. I feel like I've been using only 50% of my skills and I'm itching to get back into the other part of my profession that I adore. I'm ready to get dirty, answer some questions, solve some problems, talk some shit in the field with the guys, and watch the design go from paper to the reality. Unfortunately I've got a few more months behind the scenes as I'm still working on planning the Renovation portion of the project, but at least when I make site visits it'll look like we are in fact going to build this thing.

And yes, that is the mighty Mississippi....