Love Letter #8: Don’t Go Anywhere Just Yet

Dear Button,

Sorry this letter is a day late. Daddy and I went to the Pitcock’s house last night to celebrate Karper’s 1st Birthday. Sorry, you weren’t invited! It was pretty much family only, but dad and I made the cut so that I could take photos of Kallie’s most excellently stylized party. I was inspired by two things at Karper’s little-big celebration. One, Karper was the only kid there. This was, in part, due to the fact that few Pitcock little cousins live out of state. Kallie and Justin also wanted to be able to just relax and enjoy their guests after the birthday boy went to bed. What a novel idea! I guess we will make an exception at your party for kids related to us, like Isa, Gracie, Peter, Giana, and while we are at it, all 3 Pearlman kids…wait a minute, this is adding up fast. Okay, fine, I was inspired, but will probably not be able to duplicate the results. Two, Pinterest. Wow, what did we do before we had moms who turned the word “craft” into a verb and then splattered it all online in the guise of an inspiration board that is really a “let’s see if you can do something this cool!” challenge. Kallie pretty much gets an A+ for Karper’s 1st birthday party. Maybe she will help us with our “crafting” for your big day!

At 8 months you are the proud owner of several nicknames. Button, of course, as well as Baby Boo, Rug Gnome, Sleep Sack Slug, and Ziggy Zaggy Zoo. It’s to the point that you will turn your head to us in response to “Hey, Button;” but, it takes a few times if we call you Avery.

Grandma asked me if you were crawling yet. No, I told her.

“Well, is she rocking back and forth?”

“Mmm, no.”

“Pulling herself forward?”

“Uh, no.”

“Putting her knees under her?”

“Well, not yet.”

“Are you putting her on her stomach.”

“No, should I?”

Yeah, as soon as you could sit up well I started just sitting you up every time I put you down. You tended to stay in the same spot that way. Now that I put you on your stomach, you pull out some Micheal Phelps moves and then start rolling around. I’m amazed how fast you can get going and even more impressed with your determination to get to a book or toy you are after. So, yeah, the baby gates are going up this weekend. Your favorite time is bath time. You kick your legs as we sing to you and laugh while you splash the water and play with your floaty toys. Your least favorite time is bedtime. You start fussing the minute we go into your room when it’s dark. I imagine you thinking, “NOT the dark place where you abandon me!”

Honestly, I’m a little sad that you are on the verge of getting to that next baby stage. I’m having a hard time letting go. I’d love to freeze time and just stay like this forever. It’s hard for me to imagine the pride in seeing you walk, your first school play, you crossing the stage when you graduate from UCLA (My blog, my Alma Mater, Seth ;) Whoa, I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but it’s going by too fast. Don’t go anywhere just get, little Button. I want you to stay right here with me, preferably away from the stairs, all outlets, and the fireplace.

I love you.

Mama