You know what else she does? She sleeps! Like a 6-8 hour stretch. Amazing. I feel like a new woman. Dear me, those sleepless nights were brutal. But we survived! And I can already hear myself telling other new parents, "Oh it goes soo fast! You will make it, I promise! Hang in there!" and I hate myself for them. I'm sorry, new parents. For the record, I understand your misery. Truly I do. And you will survive. But give yourself permission to throw a five minute pity party everyday, then dig deep and soldier on. It's the only way. But reaaally enjoy those five minutes of pity. Soon your baby will be big and you will still want to feel sorry for yourself because that's just human nature but you won't have a good reason for it.
The most amazing take-away from month nine is how incredible it is to watch her learn. For example, she pulls herself up on everything. Constantly. I'll never forget the look on her face when it dawned on her that she could move her feet while standing, and this in turn, would change her position in space. I literally saw her learn this. Amazing. It's like the gears locked into place and BOOM, she was off to master the next new skill.
She learns new things daily, like a little sponge, taking everything in. She started out knowing basically nothing, depending on us and her instincts for survival. Now she can crawl and clap and squirm...all in nine months time! You know how I've changed in nine months? My hair fell out and now it's growing back in. That's about it. Anyway, we're taking bets on when she will start walking... Feel free to chime in. Also taking bets on the Packer's season.
She loves bath time, playing peek-a-boo makes her smile, and if you hide one of her buddies under a blanket she'll rip it off with enviable satisfaction. She carries on long conversations with her favorite toys (it's lucky I like to listen), grabbing them by the throat and lifting them up above her head, wiggling them back and forth. So cute. Sometimes she gets really intense and she shouts and her whole body tenses and she squeezes the little buddy around it's neck and I wonder what kind of therapy I'm going to have to pay for in a few years...? If we're in the car and the toys fall out of her hand, hang on to your *$#@&%^ hat, because she has also learned how to yell. Reminds me of the first three months of her life when a seven minute car ride would cause her to scream bloody murder and made me consider joining Peapod.
She loves toys. Her current fave is a little pink sock monkey. The other weekend we were at the farmers' market and Grace was hanging out with her grandma while Eric and I walked together, taking in the smells and sounds, enjoying having our hands free for a moment. That is, until I noticed Eric was absentmindedly holding the pink sock monkey up next to his face, no baby or baby gear in sight. It's the little things that really humble you as a parent.
Grace likes to sit on the floor and dance a little, wiggling her shoulders back and forth, and we've started this completely inappropriate habit of singing "wiggle wiggle wiggle" to her and then she wiggles back and forth. Just a little bittle. She'll clap her hands really fast and stare at you, and that is your cue to start patty cake. NOW. Also she loves to Facetime. And then push the little red button that ends the Facetime call. And then cries when the screen goes black. Also, books. Books books books! I couldn't be happier.
Once again, I find myself humbled and in awe of this perfect little person. I love watching her grow! I'm particularly struck by how permanent time is. There's no going backwards. We all know this, but I don't think I realized the weight of it until recently. For example, I think I'm still young enough that most of the really fun experiences in my life are still somewhat re-creatable. You know what I mean? The weekend I graduated from college was soo fun, and I know it wouldn't be exactly the same, but I can get most of those people together in the same place and have a great time. Similarly, Eric and I were blessed to go to Hawaii last year, and while I can't go back all the time, it's an experience I can hopefully have again with a little budgeting and planning. Babies? You can't make someone into a baby again. Try as I might, I can't swaddle Grace and snuggle her to my chest and doze on the couch all afternoon. Wah. That was fun and sweet and precious and OVER. And that's the way it goes.
I love the black and white picture of Grace. So her. Sassy, sweet, and cute! And Ij couldn't read the last 5 sentences-I refuse to believe it.
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