Hi! Hi! Hi!

Dear Caroline,

You are starting to learn more words, but still love to stick to some of your old favorites. One of your all time favorites is "Hi" and of course its cousin "Bye bye." It's amazing the way you say it, like it's a little song and you pair it with a sweet waive almost every time.

While that's cute, there is something extra special about you right now: you say hi and bye bye to everyone and anyone. It sounds funny at first, and sometimes it really is because of the reactions you get which are almost always positive and friendly. But the more I think about it, usually in some semblance of silence after we've left a store or restaurant and I'm driving us home just us two in the car, the more I am in awe of you. You say hi to little kids you look like you, to grown ups who look like me or dad, but then it gets interesting. You say to people who are really different from our family, people who don't have homes and haven't showered in a long time, old people who probably don't get a lot of "hi's" in their lives these days, people who wear special clothes as part of their religious beliefs, people who are in a hurry and aren't paying much attention but are shocked and touched by your simple greeting.

You are amazing. You want to be friends with all kinds of people and truth be told I think after you break they ice, they want to be your friend too. I often get comments when we're out that you're the friendliest baby people have ever seen; you're really not clingy or shy like most people expect when they encounter a 15 month old. In that way and so many others, I think you're treasure. I dread the day that I have to tell you that not all people are good and well intentioned in this world and that there are maybe even some you have to be afraid of. But for now, I think I'll keep that to myself and we'll just go on making new friends.

Bye bye,
Mom

I'm Back

Dear Caroline,

As you know I haven't been ignoring you for the past 10 months or so, in fact quite the opposite. We've been busy playing, watching you learn how to crawl, walk and talk. You're pretty amazing and instead of blogging I've been all wrapped up in you. That's only partly fair because this blog is really for you, to look back on when you're older and read the story of your life from my perspective.

I'm so proud of all that you are learning these days. I'm also starting to learn that there is a LOT stored up in your little brain waiting to explode. Just this week you were reaching for dad's whole apple. You LOVE to carry it around and take little bites with your few front teeth. It's a bit of a mess though and means dad doesn't really get to eat the apple. So he said to you, "Caroline, if you can say apple I'll give it to you." And you did. Just like that. AAAA...bbbb...lllll. It was clear as can be. You only have a few words right now so needless to say we were all surprised and you got your apple!

Last night dad came home around 7:30. I put you down around 7 and assumed you were asleep. You were not. When he peeked in you were wide awake with your feet propped up on the wall through the slats of your crib. I'm crazy about your bedtime routine but we couldn't help but let you get up for a little while and play. You were so happy to do this and the three of us had some giggles so serious they almost made us cry! My lesson for the day, sometimes every once in a while it's OK to break the routine and have some special time.

Love you,
Mom

Dear Caroline,

You are a good baby. There is no way around it. Even though this is my first go around as a mom, I know that not all babies give smiles anytime you need one and start sleeping through the night at 7 weeks old. Not all babies take to nursing as easily as you and ease all the anticipation and worry their moms had about getting the hang of that. You are a good baby.

However, when something goes a little off kilter you take me by surprise! I was surprised that when I got back from my work trip to Vancouver you stopped sleeping for 8+ uninterrupted hours at night. I think you are geniunely hungry, but I also think you're working on getting comfortable in your own skin at night. I wish there was something I could do to help with this, but alas I think you will have to figure this out on your own.

You are sleeping soundly now in your carseat. This seems to be a good trick (though maybe not a trick at all!). You fall asleep in the car, I bring you out and put your in your room and crack the door. Sometimes you'll sleep for hours like this.

We have a big trip this weekend and I'm nervous and hopeful about how you will do. Grandma and Grandpa will be there to help, but the 9 hour car ride will be just you, me and Dad. Let's hope for plenty of sleep and relaxation for you.

Love,
Mom