Dear Benjamin: Today you are six months old. SIX MONTHS! I can hardly believe it. Time is already passing so quickly. It feels like you arrived yesterday. You are changing so much each day. Sometimes it feels like every hour. You are holding things yourself and grabbing for things at the table. We even put you in a high chair for the first time on Sunday when we went out for breakfast. We gave you a spoon to play with which you proceeded to bang rhythmically on the table (although the other diners might not have appreciated your fin musical abilities). When we go to stores you love to be in the Bjorn so you can grab at things on the shelves. I have a feeling we will have to put an end to this soon or be banned from Target for life. And then what would we do all day?
This is an especially fun stage you're in right now. You seem happy almost all of the time. You entertain yourself for long stretches of times. You seem excited by all that the world has to offer. Like you cannot wait to get out there and see what it's all about.
You have developed a slight case of stranger anxiety. It seems especially acute around my parents. That will teach them to visit more often, huh? I know what you're up to. You have become quite the little manipulator. You cry and cry until you get what you want and then a big smirk comes across your face. 'Atta boy.
You hate to nap. I think you are afraid that you are going to miss something exciting. I can't say that I blame you. I used to be like that too. I was always certain that the moment I would miss would be THE MOMENT to end all moments.
We are trying to give you solid foods, but you aren't buying it. We put the spoon in your mouth and you just look at us like "What the heck did you do that for?" I can see Dorothy Parker's spirit coming through your face as if to ask "What fresh hell is this?" Yet you are very interested in our food and you follow the path of our forks to our mouths and back again. Today we took the dogs to the beach and threw the stick for them in the bay for them to fetch. You thought that was pretty cool. Even when I had to ceaselessly lean over to pick up the stick and you ended upside down in your Baby Bjorn.
When I was born, my birth parents felt that they were too young to keep me and raise me. So they put me up for adoption. Grandad and Nana took me home with them where they raised and took care of me. I cannot imagine ever having to part from you. I promise that no matter what, I will never leave you. And no matter what, I will always love you. You are such a little angel. I don't know what I did in this life to deserve you. I feel so unworthy. I only hope that I can be half the mother that you deserve.
Gros Bisous, Mommy