Kyndall,

I'll begin with offering no excuses.  It has been a busy month, but I should have written.  Okay, I lied....just a couple excuses :).  There was an ice storm at the beginning of the month, leaving me with no way to write to you for two and one half weeks.  After the internet began working again, I honestly forgot for a few days, then started an ebay fling (which, so far, has been quite profitable!), and with all the new things you can do, I stay sooo busy keeping up with you!

You are still exploring the house while grasping your tiny hands to my index fingers.  You now stand at your music table, allowing it to provide balance.  You can push it around to get from one side of the living room to the other.  We moved the furniture (yes, again), this time leaving a portion of the couch in front of the big window.  You can stand at the couch--even half way climb the back--and look out the window.  Trooper always comes around to look at you, and you smile and giggle at him for minutes at a time, and for you, dear Kyndall, those minutes give me some of the longest times of rest during the day! 

Normally our day begins with you being sleepy enough to sit and watch your video series Lulu bought you while I eat breakfast and clean bottles for the day.  Then we eat breakfast, play in the floor, and as soon as you successfully grab fingers on both hands the game of exploring the entire hours begins.  We walk and walk, which at first KILLED my back, but now I am used to it.  Many times if I sit you in the floor, even if only to stretch momentarily, you throw a nice little fit.  When you decide walking time is done, you play a bit longer, fight sleep, drink a bottle and nap.  This process repeats in the afternoon, and once more in the evening.  You talk to me so much more now.  You squeal, you growl, you "da-da", "gahhhhh" and call me either "A-na" or "na-na" most of the time, though occasionaly I get a "ma-ma-ma". 

You do nap a couple times a day, usually for 45 minutes to an hour and one half, but you rarely allow me to lay you in your bed.  Apparently the "parenting experts" agree this is a treacherous habit to begin.  I disagree.  You are a baby once, so if you can sleep comfortably in my lap, I will let you everytime.  My eyes are welling up as I write this because you are growing so fast.  No matter how many people told me, no matter how much I have cherished each moment (especially after the whole blood clot issue), I was totally unprepared.  You will be eight months old Saturday.  With the progress you make in standing, walking with aid and now pulling up on EVERYTHING, I'm sure you'll be walking in the next few weeks.  I wonder how much I'll get to hold you after that?  It's so hard for me to not fret the present away. 

Just know that I love everyday with you.  I love your chubby little cheeks, you silky soft sprigs of hair, your almond-shaped blue eyes, and your precioius two-bottom-teeth grin.  I love to feel your little fingernails scrape my arm when you hug it as I rock you to sleep.  I love when you are tired and nuzzle your face in my chest, trying to wake yourself up.  I love how excited you get when you see a mirror.  Your arms and legs flap and flap, while the gaping smile accompanied with huge, wide eyes make the baby you see in the mirror equally as excited. 

I never ever understood what a selfless love really meant until you.  I would do anything for you, anytime.  I love you, my angel.

Momma

Dear Kyndall,

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to write.  I could go into a detailed explanation of the last two weeks, but I have so many other important things to tell you!

You were an automatic pro at gift opening.  You went straight for the bow, pulled it off, and then started scratching the paper.  We would make a rip for you, then you would pull off a large chunk and try to put it in your mouth immediately!  You loved your funny bunny, taggie, music table and bouncy horse the most.  I loved all the clothes the people who love you so much bought for you!!

We had such a great time with LuLu, Pepaw, Mimi and Pappy.  They love you so much.  Daddy and video taped your Christmas morning gift opening session.  I love to watch it!  You're all smiles.

Your first two teeth came in last Wednesday, on the last day of 2008!  They are your bottom middle two, and they are coming in identicaly.  A third one is budding to the right, and it gives you trouble every night around bedtime--which is midnight at the earliest.  The whole fighting sleep routine is killing your Daddy and me!  We are sooo tired all the time.  I can't say I mind too much though.  You'll only be this little now, so spending more time awake with you means more memories of this time.  I love you so much!

Jamie's water broke tonight, so you will have a new cousin soon--six months to the day after your birth!  I'm so excited for Jamie to feel the love for her little boy that I feel for you.  When I found out I was pregnant with you, I knew I would do anything for you.  But it was different when you were born.  It's like this unbelievable, unique love overwhelmed me.  Suddenly this hole was filled in my soul.  A hole I never fully knew existed until you filled it.  I'm too cheezy :P

Cherishing each moment,

Momma

Dear Kyndall,

In the spirit of finally doing things I have been planning to do, we had our family pictures made tonight.  You were pretty distracted most of the time, but even when you were staring off into the distance, you were the best looking in every picture!

This time last year I was two months pregnant with you.  I was taking two shots everyday, feeling sick constantly and exhausted all the time.  It was, at the time, the most exciting time of my life!  I was so worried something would go wrong, but as hard as I tried I couldn't help myself from wandering off into daydreams of holding you, talking to you, coloring with you.  I knew the most unique relationship in the world, for me, had begun.

Now, a year later, you're here.  You are smiling at me right now!  You just cried and cried until we sat you in your walker.  I think you want to show us what all you can do.  You're chewing on your chewy keys--they're your favorite!

One more thing:  After reading yesterday's note I realized I called you skittles a couple times.  You should know this is not your sole petname.  It sometimes changes daily!  Snickerdoo, skittles, skittly-bug, baby angel, biggie and the classic cutie-pie are a few common names for you.  I pretty much have a different name for every grin, every giggle, really every glance.  Just thought I'd clear that up for you :).

Looking forward to tommorow,

Mommy