Dear Juniper,
You turn 4 months old tomorrow! There is an exclamation point after that sentence because mommy is thrilled that she is actually ahead of the game this month around. Last month I felt like I gypped you (idk, is that politically correct to say?) out of a proper newsletter, so this one will be nice and healthy (read: long).
I’m sure that you and the rest of the internet noticed that the video clip I posted last month was mostly of the carpet. No, I’m not particularly fond of the standard beige wall-to-wall carpeting that decorates the interior of our rented military home, but you seem to be so captivated by the camera whenever it’s on you that you immediately stop what you’re doing (as exemplified in the video). The point that I failed at trying to get across was how verbal your life was (and still continues to be).
Right after you turned two months, mommy took Oprah’s advice and moved your bassinet into your room so as to facilitate more romance in the form of s-e-x for your dad and I… yada, yada, yada… a healthy restful night for all involved. I’m not sure if this is a result of, or just a coincidence? But it worked! You are now sleeping through the night, in your crib, and I can’t tell you enough how much that has done for your dad and I—on many different levels! All kidding aside, your daddy and I are very happy and extremely proud of you. We know that *sleeping* is a huge deal when it comes to parenthood and we thank the heavens for blessing us with a child that can and that allows us to do so.
You, like your mama, enjoy food. In fact, you still feed every three hours (except for during the night) for about an hour. Because I still breastfeed you, it can, at times, become inconvenient… like when we’re in the middle of a restaurant and you start to demand to be fed! Or worse? When you and your dad are in a restaurant, without mama, and you demand to be fed! There was a time in my life when I thought that I’d stop breastfeeding you at three months. But now that that time has rolled around, I’ve discovered that, in the words of Jack Twist, “I just cain’t quit you.” The experience is quite fulfilling for you and me, in different ways. The only negative aspect that comes of the experience is the loss of brain cells that I’ve experienced. It’s like you suck all of the brain function out of me, LIT-ER-ALLY. The good news is, that because of all the sucking that you do? My boobs are HUGE! (see how the negative isn’t really a negative?) When I was younger and had much more disdain for this particular part of motherhood, I might have haughtily rolled my eyes at losing brain function to bigger jugs. But now that I’m older and obviously wiser? I love it! Who needs a memory or to be able to put words together when one can have a whole handful of boob?
Perhaps as a result of all of this feeding, you’ve gone through a couple of growth spurts. Mama started to realize that you were growing when one day she looked at your legs. They were slightly bent at the knee and your poor toes were smashed up against the seams of your pajama footsies, just screaming to be cut loose! Which is exactly what your cheap parsimonious father wanted me to do—instead of buying you new pj’s, he wanted me to simply cut the footsies off. Como say what? Juniper, you will never have to worry about something crazy like this ever again. When it comes to fashion? Honey, mama got your back!
These past two months have been months marked with “firsts”:
∙ First breakfast out (with Mike Williams @ First Watch)
∙ First dinner out (with Kristen & Scott Everson and their son, Alex @ Christopher’s—because your dad had a coupon)
∙ First concert (by a local father & son duo while at dinner out with just mom and dad @ Artisan’s Café, again, because your dad had a coupon—but your real first concert was 7M3 at some hole in the wall when you were about 8 months in utero).
∙ First errand trip (to FedEx and the Dorothy Lane Market with mom)
∙ First play-date (with Kristen Everson & her son, Alex and Carine & her daughter, Caitlyn @ a local Momtopia event followed by lunch @ Panera Bread).
∙ First full-on laugh, complete with snorting!
∙ First neighborhood run (you loved it—loved it so much you fell asleep—which is exactly what I would do if someone were pushing me around in my very own chariot).
∙ First time your bouncy chair saved my sanity…
Also this month? Your baptism (which happened to coincide with your 100th day of life, a traditional Korean celebration). Members from both sides of the family descended upon Dayton, Ohio to be a part of your initiation. It was a grand celebration! The most memorable moment was when, just prior to the ritual, you were so delighted to be all glammed up in your silk dupioni gown (or was it because of all the paparazzi-like camera flashes?) that you giggled and squealed with pleasure for a good five minutes. I wish some one had videographed it. Regardless, it was a very special moment, now etched into my heart.
(the old picture? is of your mama on her 100th day of life)
This month has definitely marked a turning point. Our lives have become exponentially more active. Now you go to the gym with mama to work out, out on play-dates at friends’ homes, and to the metroparks for fun activities like backpacking and strollerstruts. You’ve even allowed mama to go out with the girls while you stayed with dad and kept him on his toes!
You are also more tactile and musical. You do a lot with your hands. You’re starting to grasp things other than my boobs… like toys and hair… . You also love it when we listen to music and I waive your hands like that of a conductor. Seriously. You also love it when daddy plays you music and sings to you (something must've gone wrong in the uploading of this video as you will see...)
when you were mine from kim murray mcdonald on Vimeo.
and when I sing you that song I made up that is comprised of “I love you” to the refrain of “Take on Me” over and over again.
I remember the days when I feared becoming a mother for all the “living” that I would have to give up. But now that you’re a part of my life? I’ve learned that I don’t have to give it up. Sure, for the first three months I was pretty much relegated to round-the-clock feedings and keeping up with your needs; but now? Now we just do all that “living” together! I really think it’s just a state of mind. Just like everything else in life, I’ve decided to live it in a particular way—and that particular way includes not giving up the lifestyle I had prior to having you. In fact, we just applied for your passport… and once we get that? The world is our oyster, baby (and don’t you forget it)!
Finally, dear Juniper, I just have to say that since you’ve been a part of my life, there is never a day that I don’t thank the lucky stars for all the gifts that have been bestowed upon our lives. One of your aunts has this theory that God sends you a child to teach you a lesson, and I believe her. Although I’m sure the journey will be, at times, trying… I am looking forward to learning the lesson you’ve been sent here to teach me…
Love, your mama