Margo à la Maude

Dear Maude,

Today, your 11th month birthday, we spent our last day together, just the two of us. As of Monday, the whole family will be home together for two weeks, and then you'll be starting at Carmen's.

Daycare. You. My little baby.

I've been saving up things in my head for this post, that I want you to know about you as a baby.

- When you're really into nursing, you slap my arm with the flat of your hand. Repeatedly. Margo called you Thumper the other day and she's not far off.

- You're attached to me. Like a little monkey some days. I worry more about you starting daycare then I did about your sister.

- You wrinkle your nose when you laugh. I love this.

- So many people tell me you look like me, but you have Papa's chin. Many people also see your Grandma Monica in you. She would have loved you so much.

- I am getting so much exercise and fresh air due to your basic inability to sleep without walking in the stroller. I don't think the first part is a bad thing, but I wonder how you'll do when Mama isn't around to stroll the neighbourhood.

- You are so easy to laugh. I hope this never changes.

- At 11 months, you're a solid cruiser, and you even stood by yourself for a split second the other day. You continue to love the park, and have discovered the slide. You're fearless and love to climb.

- You're still not sleeping through the night but it's a manageable schedule now and we all feel much more well rested.

- You incite in me a joy that is particular to you. No other human being on this Earth can look at me the way you do. I love you boundlessly and endlessy. How can I not? Damn you're cute.

Love,

Mama

(Photo by Nadia Collins, of RedSonjaDesigns)