dear Naima, 8mo old
1:16 a.m. on December 24, 2006
Dear Naima,
it's christmas eve and today you're 8mo old. as the year comes to end i try to think back to the days of your arrival. how scared i was just before you got here and how happy i was the minute i finally got to hold you. it's still truly amazing to me that you are here. after all that we went through to have you, i just can't help but to think of you as a miracle. i'm so happy to have you, my love.
so, where and how are you now at 8mo? the real question is where aren't you now? since you discovered crawling, you've been in and around trouble EVERYwhere. we've made a makeshift barrier between the kitchen and the living room and within a couple of days you discovered how to get passed it. no matter how many obstacles we think of putting in your way, you eventually figure a way out or through it. it's amazing seeing you discover the world and to see you decipher and accomplish your mission is even more amazing.
in one of the dog's escapes from your flogging you found the doggy door. and i'm convinced your one and only mission now is to go through that interesting little door one day. one day, as i watched to see just how far you'd go, you actually stuck your head out right behind the dog. if i wasn't the overprotective mommy that i am, you would've gone right through that little doggy door and on to explore the backyard. and from the sounds of your screams you very much objected to me yanking you right back inside. get used to it, babe, cuz mommy's not a subscriber of the "let her do it so she'll learn" school of thought.
you're attitude is shining through more and more each day. and boy do you have an attitude. the temper, the short fuse, the "my way or the high way" 'tude is really strong these days. daddy and i just stare at each other in confusion as to how exactly we stop that from spiraling out of control. ok, i admit, we do get a chuckle out of it but, trust me, we are trying to figure out how to nip that in the bud real quick!
you do the cutest thing that i've managed to ruin for daddy. you love crawling over to the front window by the door. the window is low enough for you to stand up and stare out. it looks like you're waiting for someone. so one time i said, "look! it looks like she's waiting for her boyfriend!" needless to say, daddy did NOT like that AT ALL. oh man, it's so not going to be a pretty scene here when you start dating!
everyone is always asking how old you expecting to hear at 1yr old or older. and yes everyone is always amazed to hear 8mo. yes, baby girl, you seem to be a big girl. perfect! a big girl with a big attitude...just what mommy ordered! go out there and knock 'em out, baby girl, because mommy and daddy are already so very proud of you...and you're only 8mo young!
