You've aged out of the hospital moms' group, and I'm no longer supposed to hold you on my lap through my MOPS meetings.
You're officially old.
As I look back on photos from months five to six, I can't hardly believe how much you've changed.
You suddenly became a crazy person every time I set you down on the floor to roll around, and you're already one of those kids who "you just can't take your eye off of for one second." I like to plop you on a big quilt right next to the kitchen so you can play, and I can cook. One day I looked up, and you were inches away from the stone fireplace hearth. You went from stagnant to rolling to straight-up mobile in minutes, it seems.
Your dad and I went out on our first big date last month. We went to the Eric Church concert that toured through town, and your grandma came to babysit. We stayed up way beyond our bedtimes, and you had a rocky night yourself. Everyone said it was good for me to leave you, but I'm glad it was just a handful of hours.
We celebrated St. Paddy's Day, and we took you out to the Gorge for your first hike. I guess you could count hiking in Sunriver when you were five weeks old, but this hike you actually had your eyes open and took in the surroundings. Your dad wore you in the forward-facing carrier, which continues to be your favorite thing. Every time I put it on you light up, and I can't hardly strap you into it because your legs are kicking with delight.
Your great-grandma fell and broke her hip, so we took a day trip down to visit your Albany fan club, hoping to make spirits bright. Your little smile and bobble-headed curiosity seemed to be just the medicine.
What else can I say about this last month? I wanted to wait until your official six-month birthday, but I started running with you in the stroller at about five-and-a-half months. I think you like it, though you take better naps when I'm just walking. We also gave you rice cereal for the first time, which you amazingly gobbled right up.
Your nights have been all over the board, and I know it's because you're growing and changing so much. You've always been a wonderful sleeper, so any night out of our "ordinary" definitely calls for an extra cup of coffee in the morning.
I don't know if I've mentioned it in a letter, but I'm saying goodbye to my job so I can stay home with you. I've been on leave for these six months, and I'm working part-time from home for several weeks, but then it's bye-bye to the corporate life. Someday I hope we can chat about what a crazy thing this was and is. And someday soon, I hope I can write about that, too.
We're just days away from the end of busy tax season for your dad, and we have a laundry list of places to explore and things to see as a family.
You're a wonderful sidekick, and I really can't think about life without you now. I wonder what this next half-year will bring. Sunshine and a return to family life.
I love you, Fraser Mary, I don't know what else to say!
Love,
Mom
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| Parents gone wild...Fras, we left you for the evening with your nana...but we were back to say goodnight! |
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| First big hike in the gorge |
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| Still spitting up...everywhere...all the time |
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| Still a champ at snoozing in your seat |
