Letters to Babybutt - growing up

Dear E,

You have been mimicking sounds (birds, trucks, sirens, sneezes, nose blowing) and saying a word here or there for a while now, but in the last week or so your language has taken off like a rocket! You chitter at us seriously while waving your hand like a politician to make your point. You mimic words we've been saying out of the blue while we eat dinner. You try so earnestly to get your point across. It's endearing. (Like everything you do.)

But since this has started, you've been a little more anxious and have had a lot more trouble falling asleep on your own. You did it just fine for a while, but right now it seems that all the stars have to align for you to feel comfortable enough. And it seems if you know you're going to have trouble, you panic and start to cry desperately as I try to put you in the crib. Believe me kid, I know just how frustrating that falling asleep thing can be. Daddy doesn't. At bedtime, he's snoring in under 5 seconds, and that's no exaggeration! But you apparently relate to Mommy in yet another way with this whole sleep deal.

All of this is to say that tonight, because of this, I had the pleasure of holding you in my arms, patting your bottom and singing your old lullabies to you as you sucked your thumb, clutched your lovey and drifted off. I got to watch your eyelids flutter, your thumb pop out of your mouth and your lips go slack. Before you drifted off, you even stroked Mommy's nose and cheek. When I put you in the crib, you sighed contentedly and snuggled in. We haven't done this since you were just a tiny baby. It made my arms ache and tears prick. I know there won't be a lot more opportunities like that, so thank you baby. Just remember that while you'll grow and change, and my role in your life will evolve; I will always be that Mama that held you close and whispered lullabies as you drifted to sleep.

Forever yours,
Mama