Happy 10 Months, Alexis!

Happy 10 Months ladybug!

This month, we've been on the go - we went to the beach, both here and Cape Cod, we giggled in gym class and and popped into play dates, we hosted and had fun with your friends and our friends.  We visited the zoo (2 actually), we spent time at the playground, we made a trip to Manhattan, we welcomed family to town, and we bid summer goodbye.

Yes, we've been on the go. And so, little ladybug, have you! Your army crawl gets faster by the day -  you zip from room to room in the blink of an eye. You have also started to crawl on all fours in the last week. You pull up on furniture, toys, our legs, the bathtub, doors - pretty much anything you can find. You've begun cruising too - along the fireplace, coffee table, kitchen table, window sill, again - pretty much everything. When the mood strikes, you practice your walking holding tightly to our hands. And, on Monday, you stood alone for the very first time at The Little Gym (standing up on the mat in the middle of class while teething on some jingle bells)! It seems that you are taking on a new challenge every day, and you've gotten some bruises and scrapes to show for it. We simply love to watch you master each new skill and witness that "ah ha" moment when it all clicks for you. 

While you still take a few minutes to get your bearings in new settings, you remain very social and vocal once you've taken it all in. You babble, you squeal, you shout out in excitement, you groan, and I've even caught you humming to yourself when we're out for a walk or driving around town. You love trying to "talk" to us, and you seem to enjoy music - bopping up and down when a song begins playing. You LOVE to eat and never turn down a meal.  Yogurt and melon are your favorites - especially when they are being shared by daddy. You get such a kick out of  looking in the mirror, especially the big one in our bedroom. You smile and grin and clench your fists and pat your reflection excitedly, standing up to get a closer look. You seem to know when you see yourself - in the mirror and in photos - as an excited squeal always follows. 

This tenth month has been filled with so many sweet, happy moments and big milestones. That's not to say that we haven't had some trying times either though. With each new act of independence, we usually have to scoop you up and kiss away the bump or bruise - it never seems to get any easier and likely never will. And, as you begin to understand the world around you and how things in it work, you also know what you want and when you want it, and at times, you will moan and groan until you get it. We've introduced the word "no" and it seems to be said more and more each day.  

With every day that passes, you are becoming less our baby girl and more our toddler. What new skill lies just around the corner? What challenge will you take on with excitement and determination? We can hardly wait to find out. May you always know how much we love you, how proud we are of you and how we're right beside you - every step of the way. Happy 10 Months, Alexis Rose!