Ten Months

Ten Months Old.

For my birthday, I wished for you to slow down - you're growing too fast.

Obviously, that didn't work.

At this point you're learning new things so quickly, I don't even know where to begin. You went from creeping to crawling to cruising to walking in the course of a month. What am I supposed to do with that?! Mama can't keep up!


Independent. This is still your most obvious trait. Walking gives you freedom - freedom to go where you want to go and explore what you want to explore. When Mama and Dada let you, anyway. Those fascists put up a baby gate - the nerve! There was a time when you were content to hold our hands while traveling from here to there. No more! Holding hands is so last year, Mama.

Curious. About everything. Phones, animals, noises, what's in the dishwasher, what's under the sofa, what's outside the window, how does this so-called-child-proof lock work? You get into everything because you want to know everything. You've always been persistent, but it's your curiosity that drives you to try, try, try. I'll never tire of watching you discover and learn things. I just hope you never lose the interest in doing so.

Stubborn. You know what you want and you aren't afraid to go get it. Now if only everyone else would get outta your way! Last month I must've done something to piss you off, because you refused to say Mama until this week. I tried bribing you to change your mind, but you'd look at me sternly - furrowed brows, set lip - and give me an emphatic no! instead. I know where you get it. And so does Abuela, who thinks it's hilarious.

Sweet. You say hi to everyone - at school, at the grocery store, at the mall - and you want them to say hi back. You wave bye-bye. You blow kisses. You're concerned when your friends at school cry. You're concerned when Mama cries. You give me pats on the back as though to say It's OK, we're in this together, and my heart melts.

Sickfest 2010 has carried well into 2011, but you still manage to keep a relatively cheerful disposition. We're all looking forward to spring. In two short months you'll be 1 year old. And then you'll be 5 years old and then 10 years old and then 16 years old, and my brain just can't handle anything beyond that. So how's about we give this whole slowing down thing another try, huh?