for caleb at nine months

Dear Caleb,

Are you really nine months old? Already? This has been a big month for you, full of change and growth, which has been at times both exciting and a little unpleasant.

Your biggest area of developmental advancements is mobility. Four weeks ago you had just mastered sitting, had honed your butterfly swim-like crawl down to an art, and had figured out how to climb up onto your knees (your favorite place to practice this trick was on the rocking chair, which even though occasionally resulted in bruises on your forehead, remained your favorite place to practice). Now you are not only crawling on your hands and knees (like, some might argue, a normal baby), but you are pulling yourself up to a stand and making your first attempts at cruising along furniture. No matter where you go (and believe you me -- you go everywhere!), you are fast. You have lost all comprehension of the concept of sitting still, and contentment went right out the window the moment you realized there was a world beyond my lap. And don't even get me started about how these days it is next to impossible to get you in a new diaper or a change of clothes.

Other milestones you've reached include the cutting of your first four teeth (two on the bottom, two on the top), a feat which has put you in a lot of pain and has consequently made life difficult for both of us. And it hasn't helped matters to realize that you, too, suffer from seasonal allergies. You also were given your first haircut, which was very much needed.

Though I won't know your exact measurements until your well check-up appointment tomorrow, I can say with authority that you are a very tall boy. Though you are your older brother's exact opposite in almost every way, in one thing you are identical: it is almost impossible to find pants that fit you. If they fit in the legs, they're too big in the waist; if they fit in the waist, they are way too short. It is not unusual for you to crawl right out of your pants, leaving them behind in one room as you venture out to explore another.

You are a silly little boy, and also very sweet. I often catch you singing to yourself in between your babbles. You've also started to dance -- a little bobbing up and down routine -- when you hear music. This new trick makes me as happy as it does you. I love you and look forward to the tricks you'll learn in the coming weeks.

Love,
Mama