Lexi 10 Months

Dear Lexi,

Ten months my baby girl. You are a very active and happy little bean. You are a joy to be around and am so happy you have made me a momma, and am even more happy to be your mama. You are just so content with everything from eating to sleeping to meeting new people to trying new experiences. You’ve made the adjustment to parenthood easy and so fun!

Favorite Moments:

One night, we had just finished reading books. I continued to lay on the blue pillow and cuddle under the quilt Grandma B made while you fiddled around playing with various toys and climbing up on things. There was a random silence, which always signals mischief. I raise my head and find you laying on your tummy kissing the photo of you and Grandma B sewn onto it. Of course my camera was on the other side of the room and any movement would distract you, but it was such a sweet moment and brought tears to my eyes.

For whatever reason, this month you have proved to be gassier than normal. You are constantly releasing audible farts. And about 75% of the time you fart, you’ll look to myself or daddy and smile and laugh. Of course, we have no self-control and laugh with you because how can you not laugh at a 10 month old cutie who laughs when she farts?

Whenever Daddy mows the lawn, you are mesmerized. You’ll stand at the patio door and watch as he goes back and forth. Whenever he gets near, you screech, and bang your hands on the door trying to get his attention. Once Daddy is close to finishing, we head outside to watch him and go for an occasional ride. It’s so cute to see you’re little hands on the wheel and Daddy says you sing and chat away and he just loves hearing your little noises.

Over the weeks, you’ve discovered how to open cabinets. Last night, you figured out how to open the cabinets next to the fireplace. And proceeded to crawl inside and play for a good 20 minutes. (For the most part there were only books in there so you had your own little fort and were content as a little caterpillar milling around in there.

Along the lines of opening cabinets has been opening drawers. While I was at work, you pulled your middle dresser drawer open and threw all of your clothes out, just as Daddy came to check on you. So he plopped you into the drawer and sent me this gem while I was at work. I wish I could have seen it, but I love getting little photos of you being sweet throughout the day. It brings a smile to my face.

We’ve never really had a solid bedtime routine, but started to develop one this month. Around 8:30 we head up to your bedroom, change your diaper, play with toys and then read books. We lay on the blue pillow, put the quilt over us and read: Good Night Moon and Who says quack and another random one. After books, we give Dada a hug and kiss goodnight and then nurse. Most of the time you fall asleep nursing, we put Giraffee in your arms and let you peacefully sleep until morning light. It is such a calming way to conclude each day.

Most days when I come home from work, you’re still taking your second nap of the day, which usually works well because I can get dinner started right away. However, there have been several occasions where you’ve been up and when you see me for the first time, I swear its like you’re seeing magic. You’re eyes get ginormous and sparkle, you kick your legs, wave hello and are SO excited. It is the BEST way to be greeted home and you make me feel so loved.

Other noteables:

You ‘free standing’ much more often now. I’ve even seen you standup from a squat without holding onto anything.
You love to play with magnets and carry them around the house. You’ll put them in your mouth and then crawl around like a little puppy with its bone.
You have a strong affection towards all stuffed animals. Your eyes light up and you open your arms and mouth to give hugs and kisses.
Your two top front teeth popped through this month. The second one came in about 2 weeks after the first and caused you some pain, a little blood and received lots of extra snuggles.
You pooped on the toilet for the first time. Dada saw you grunting, stripped you down and had you grunt one out on the potty. The best part of the story was how you smiled and clapped after you were done.
We went to the apple orchard and you went on your first ride with your buddy Lauren.
You love to crawl up the stairs, but haven’t figured out how to go down.
Baths have become difficult, all you want to do is standup. You also figured out this month that you can drink the water. It is hilarious to watch you lean forward like a frog and drink the water like a puppy.
You’re mostly in 12 month clothes. There are a couple of 9 month items you fit into.
You had a cold at the beginning of the month–mostly a bad running nose.
You will occasionally walk behind and push the yellow peddle car and love to walk while holding onto our hands. However, when you walk, you have this goofy little leg kick or shake with your left leg. I’ve been told Grandpa B used to do this silly leg kick when he played foosball and your little leg kick reminds people of that.
You are very aware of your surroundings especially when you are elevated. You sense the edge of things and stay away from them. You may get close, but never attempt to get down by yourself.
You’ve started to ‘brush your teeth’ (suck on the toothbrush)
You’re favorite book is still Who says quack
You sleep from about 9 pm to 8 am each day and nap from 12 to 2 and 4:30 to 5:30 each day.
You take about four 8oz bottles each day. Nursing is still going well, although you only nurse once a day (before bed on workdays). Otherwise, I pump in the morning and once during the day.