11 Months

To my darling Jesse,

Such an exciting and event filled month in terms of development for you my darling!

I have so much to report back on in this letter... which always makes the family happy, as we live so far away from everyone.

Firstly, you have finally started getting your first tooth! It seems to be only one, on the bottom. You have been such an angel, every now and then you show how sore it is by biting on something and pulling a face, but otherwise, you have not had a temperature, upset stomach, runny nose or anything! My healthy and strong little angel :)

Secondly, we have started elimination communication, and as far as our first month went I would say it was a raving success. We have had a number of catches in the potty with number ones, and two catches in the potty with number two's! I relate our success to the wonderful warm weather we have been having and the fact that you have been going nappy-less for most of the day - even naps!

You received your first haircut :( I did it on a whim, after wondering about your uneven curls for weeks... didn't cut it too short, just trimmed it till it was a bit more even - now its even curlier :)

You have started wearing 'big boy' pyjamas... no more baby-grows. Often its so hot you merely sleep in your nappy. Especially if the lights are out and we cant put the air-conditioner on... which seems to be very often lately.

Daddy's Boy

Finally, you are standing with no support regularly and have taken as many as three steps unaided!!! Daddy is very proud of this. You no longer like to crawl anywhere and want to walk, often standing at a perch and calling us to come hold your hand and help you walk! So so cute.

You turn one year old this month... I am absolutely flabbergasted by how quickly this year has passed us by. But it has been very eventful and filled with joy.

Lots of Love
Mom

This post has been linked up with Touchstonez's monthly Letters to Littles.

A few of your favourite things

To my darling Jesse baby

You are now 10 months old... I get a hollow feeling in my stomach when I think you will be one year old in less than two months time. Where has the time gone? You are continuing to be more and more of a delight to parent as you slowly become more independent. You manage to spend nearly 20 minutes at a time playing and fiddling with toys, and anything else you can find, while I sit nearby.

A few of your favourite things to play with are:
My cellphone
My laptop
My toothbrush... you can get an indication of where I spend most of my time by these.


A few of your favourite things to do are:
Unpack the bookshelf
Unpack your entire toy box
Unroll the entire toilet paper roll
Crawl around the garden, exploring nooks and crannies and eating lots of grass as you go.
Unscrew bottle tops and try screw them back on. In fact anything that turns is fascinating to you.

A few of your favourite people are:
Granny - she is the best person to have a conversation with as she replies to all your nanana's and bababa's.
Nana - she gives the best hugs and cuddles.
Daddy - he is the epitome of fun, you love rolling around with him on the bed, play wrestling and giggling after your bath.

Your hair continues to get wilder and wilder, but as Ballie said, you wont look like Jesse if we cut your hair. We have just spent a week at Nana and Ballie's house, and I can honestly say that you are one of the most loved children on this earth, considering you are the first grandchild on both sides.

And still no teeth!

Thank you for being the little angel you are.

Lots of love,
Mommy

9 Months

To my darling Jesse

You have suddenly blossomed from a baby into a little person. Although you have always had a personality, this personality has recently begun wooing everyone you meet. You are my own personal sun. You radiate warmth and love. You hold an aura of happiness.

Today, we went to a 70th birthday tea party. Unfortunately, you stole the limelight from the birthday girl. Everyone oohed and aahed at your blue eyes and long eyelashes whilst you gladly bestowed on them cute grin after grin.

When we go for walks in town, everyone from the grumpiest old man, the most nonchalant child or sullen teenager catches a glimpse of your sunny aura and simply has to smile at you and say hello. You are more than happy to always smile back.

Things you love at the moment include:

• Granny - your favourite person... you love to follow her around the house and tug at her skirt to pick you up.
• The cats - they love you too and often come up to you for loves... but you cannot resist squeezing their soft fur and the result is that you are full of cat scratches :(
• Pikey the Jack Russell - you have realised that she can't help but lick you and when you see her you start scrunching up your face in anticipation of the licking she is going to give you... (Side note: I need to look into de-worming you soon!)
• Playing with Granny's shells and in her Tupperware cupboard... or in any cupboard.
• Getting into the dogs water bowl... or any water related activity.
• Bath time with Mom! Hands down your favourite time of the day - and then getting dressed time is your worst.

And best of all... you have just started sitting on your knees which I find totally adorable!

Lots of love
Mommy

The reason why I had a son and not a daughter

To my darling Jesse James

Today you taught me the reason why I had a son and not a daughter.

We spent a lovely morning on the beach with Aunty Kath, you ate a lot of sand, tried to eat a smelly mussel and wee'd on our blanket. Great fun was had splashing in the sea water. You also reminded me that I need to find an effective 'natural' sun block before summer is here.

Back at home this afternoon you grossed me out totally! The cat, unbeknown to me, had brought in a dead rat and started eating it under the dining room table. You managed to find it, delighting in the squishiness of it. It was like a scene from a horror movie. I caught you just before you tried putting it in your mouth. I am such a girl, I was almost in tears cleaning you up. I was so grossed out. I had a boy to force me out of my girliness.

Now, all clean again, smelling of baby and ready for bed you are my angel once more.

Lots of love,
Mommy

38 Weeks

To my darling Jesse

In the past week I have noticed you maturing astonishingly! Just today you stood for the first time unassisted. I am so proud of what an advanced little baby you are, socially and developmentally. I do believe this is all due to the fact that you are still almost exclusively breastfed. I have only just started feeding you fruit once a day... and although you don’t swallow much it’s all about the learning experience. Learning about the taste, texture and smell of food.

Love eating Avocado!

Your meals are fruit only as I am convinced this is the perfect first food. Fruit is the closest food in make-up to breastmilk, it is a perfect food for human consumption. You have so far enjoyed bananas, avocado, blueberries and apples.

You grow more beautiful everyday and I am delighted to be there for every moment of every day.

Love

Mommy

xXx