10 months

Dear Brantley,

10 months have now passed since you were born. I can't beleive it's been almost a year! You've now been in the world longer then you were growing in my tummy. It's crazy how much you have changed. At 10 months you are such a social kid (notice I said kid and not baby). You love people. You especially love the ladies and are such a little flirt. Most everyone will get a smile from you, and if they are lucky a wave or a clap. There is no doubt in my mind you will be a social kid and I'm happy for that.

This month you've learned lots of things! You are now walking proficiently. You still fall on your butt a lot but you can (and do) get almost everywhere you want to go walking. You are trying to start to run. You start walking really really fast and keep going. Whenever you get excited about something this is what you do.  Whenever your daddy gets home you go running to the door. Man do you love your daddy. When your daddy is around I am just not good enough anymore.

You've also learned how to clap, which you do all the time, and blow raspberries which you also do all the time (especially when I'm feeding you!). You think it's so funny! You are also getting more independent. If you can do something and I do it for you sometimes you will get mad. You don't like being fed anymore - you much prefer finger foods. However there is one food you will always let me feed you - YOGURT! I swear you could eat your weight in yogurt. Speaking of weight - you are now 19lbs. Still on the smaller side, but that's ok.

You only have the two teeth still, but I don't think it's long until more because you have been fussy lately. You're also starting to be a little bit more clingy - especially in the mornings. You want me to hold you for a right good while before you start playing and some days you want to be held longer. Thats ok though - you used to never want to be held, so I cherish those minutes you'll cuddle up next to me in your chair.

You are starting to talk more (just babble) and are starting to recognize words. I know that you know your name, no and up and I think you know duck (or duckduck) and stick. Still waiting for the first mamma or dada though.

Funny story - I was giving you a bath the other night and jokingly asked, "Who do you like better mama or dada?" You looked right and me and said "dada" and then of course followed it was "dadadadada". I think your dad is brainwashing you ::wink::.

We're back to going to the gym on the days mommy doesn't work and you love going because it means you get to play with grandpa and Bear. Grandpa always takes you for a ride and you get to pet Bear. You love all your grandparents so much. You've started crying when you have to leave their houses! They hand you to me and you cry. It hurt my feelings the first time - then I realized it's just because you have so much fun at their houses and love them so I can't get but so mad.

Brantley, you are one loved child. There are so many people in your life and show you that. We are so lucky to have you!

This months favorites: yogurt, talking!, daddy, grandma, GP, Nana, Papa, Grandpa and Granny, dogs!, outside, dirt, sticks, rocks, goldfish, cheerios, purple hull peas, cheese, turkey, cherries, GRAHAM CRACKER (from GP), walking, running, CLIMBING!, and anything else you can get yourself into.

Love always,

Momma

My Wish

Brantley,

I was looking at you today and this overwhelming since of protection came over me. I want to protect you from all the hurts in the world. From heartbreak, sadness, disappointment, and injustice. But the truth is - I can't. You'll feel these things somewhere along the way, and I know when they happen to you, I'll hurt too. I'll get mad, but mostly I'll be sad I couldn't protect you from it. Because I believe at our core that's all mothers want - to protect their kids, and for them to know they are loved. And oh man do we love. It's a love that reaches to the bottom of your heart. It's different then any other kind of love. We love our parents, and I certainly love your dad, but the love I have for you, well it's just different. Unconditional. I will always love you. You may disappoint me at some point, and I may get mad at you, but I will always love you. You are a part of me. And a huge part of my heart. So when you don't make the team, or the girl breaks your heart, or you experience loss for the first time, I'll be there. I'll let you cry to me, or be alone, or do whatever it is you need me to do to help you through it. I promise you I will always be there for you. Always. No matter what happens, you always have that.

"My Wish"

Rascal Flatts

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

9 Months

Dear Brantley,

You turned 9 months last weekend. You are getting to be such a big boy now. When I look at you I don't see a baby anymore. This last month you've been busy! You've gone from tentatively crawling to speed crawling and speed cruising. You'd much rather cruise then crawl now a days. You've even taken a few small steps, but you're still a little scared to start really walking. You're also experimenting with standing up on your own without pulling up on anything.

You are into EVERYTHING! And you're smart about it. You love your puffs so much that you managed to figure out how to get a hold of them and get the top off, which followed with you dumping them on the floor and eating them. Again, you are gonna try your hardest to get what you want.

You're still such a happy boy. You small, laugh and giggle all the time. You are rarely fussy. You're eating a lot of foods now and mommy's started you on some soft table food. You haven't quite got the hang of it yet, but you're getting there.

You always talking and you can make quite a few sounds now... da, ma, ah are the most common ones we hear. Along with you grunting and coughing that you've managed to pick yo.

You also love to imitate us. So you're now waving and shaking your head no (I guess you picked that up from me!). We're trying to teach you to clap and I'm still trying to get you to kiss me without biting my face (although I love my gummy kisses.)

This months favorites: Cruising, kisses, tickles, swings, daddy, pears!, yogurt, seasme street (only show you acutally watch), playing in the dirt, grandparents, swimming, THE BEACH, and play date with a cute girl.

Love you,

Mommy