4 Months

Dear Ava,
Today you are four months old. According to your dad, you are a REAL, bona fide person now. Not that you weren't one before, but your own unique personality is really shining through and the newborn babyness you had a couple weeks ago is long gone.

You can laugh, suck your thumb, roll all over the place, and grab things (especially my hair!). You are definitely a high energy, free spirited baby and love to be at eye level and see the world from our point of view. Translation - you like to be held AT ALL TIMES. Not that its a bad thing since you're very hug able and cuddly.

Now that you're semi mobile, your once favorite pink bouncy chair is no longer a source of comfort and fun. You shimmy your way out of it or flip it over, determined to have the freedom to move and roll. I can see the frustration in your little face from the limited mobility of rolling, so I can't imagine what you'll be like once you can crawl or walk!

It is also because of this need to move and see the world that you no longer like the car seat and car rides. What was once a surefire way to lull you to sleep has been a surefire way to keep you up and crying! You have a keen sense of knowing when the car has stopped, since you abruptly stop crying the instant I take the keys out of the ignition.

You LOVE to make noise, so I know you'll be an early talker. I can't imagine what you'll say, but I'm sure there will be a lot of it since you grunt and squeal non-stop throughout the day. You have also started a love affair with your feet and toes and love to pull them close to your chest when you play.

You love music and enjoy when I play the piano for you before bed. Aside the classical tunes like Cannon in D, you especially have a interest in contemporary music like Jewel, Boys to Men, and Leona Lewis. I can't wait for you to sit at the piano with me and learn duets like Heart and Soul and the Cat Dance. I can see your curious eyes watching my fingers dance across the piano keys when I play and process the sounds with the movement of my hands.

I think every parent believes their child to be special, smart and beautiful, but you REALLY are special, so smart, and unbelievably beautiful. From these precious four months we've spent together, I've realized that the greatest gift you can ever give your child is yourself. Every minute I spend with you has been a gift that I'm so thankful for. You enjoy your toys or watching cartoons, but I know the thing you crave the most is to be close to your mommy and daddy. I completely understand since I share this same sentiment. I live for your baby hugs around my neck and love seeing your chubby, smiling face first thing in the morning. Every day is Christmas morning for us when we get to hold and cuddle with you.

Through your eyes, I see the beauty in nature I once took for granted because of our busy lives; value simple things like walking, napping, and watching the leaves fall. I appreciate and welcome the kindness of strangers and remember how wonderfully powerful a smile or laugh can be. Life can be hard, but it's SO worth it for small moments like these.

I love you so much it hurts,
Mommy