Last month of being single.

Salem-

This is your last month in the single digits of months. April 1st you will officially be "double digits." I have sat down several times this month to write this to you. Daddy has been gone and what has resulted is you being completely attached to your mama. We took several trips this month and you protested sleeping in the pack-n-play. Thus resulting in your sleeping with me, every night for about 3 weeks. Before we started our trek around the U.S., you were putting yourself to sleep in your crib, sleeping for 12 hours straight, taking 2, 2 hour naps a day, and now...well, let's just say we're back to where we started! ; ) So, all that to say, I've been trying to write this for awhile now...but you have been very clingy and haven't allowed me any really long "breaks".



You have had a HUGE month, your 9 month. You went to North Carolina, Arizona, and California. We took our first road trip, just me and you, to NC. We didn't make it very far before we ended up in a hotel and drove the rest of the way, the next day. But we did make it. And I vowed to never make that trip alone, until you are a little bit older. You really did amazing though. Then we came home, settled in for about a week and then headed off to Arizona. You were able to see your Mimi again. That woman, your Mimi, loves you with a love that I have never seen before. She would do anything for you, remember that ok? She's also the one that you can go to and probably get anything you want! Remember that too, ok? ; )

Then we took your 10th plane ride to California to see your Pops, my father. You and I had a great time exploring their little town of El Segundo. We ate lunches at little cafes, went to the park, went to the beach, and you had your first major fall. I was sitting right there and it happened really fast. I beat myself up for a really long...well, I still am! I cried right a long with you.
After we got home we only had a few more days to wait until Daddy arrived. We went to pick him up from the bus and I have to tell you, I was a little worried. Didn't know how you would react when you saw him. It had been pretty much an entire month that you hadn't seen him. BUT, when you saw him, oh how the excitement started. You started flapping your arms and kicking your legs! (Which you do and it's the cutest) And you really haven't wanted to leave his side since. You love seeing him. You love playing with him. And you especially love when he sings to you.



You were diagnosed with another ear infection this month. I cried (AGAIN! HA!) and you cried. We didn't sleep almost an entire night. Ever since you started getting ear infections I have always worried that they would some how affect your hearing. The other day we were sitting in the backyard and there was the slightest little bird chirp coming from the tree, it wasn't very loud at all. And you kept looking into that tree trying to figure out where that noise was coming from and it brought tears to my eyes. You hear just fine and that brings so much joy to my heart.

I love you Salem. This month has been fun for me. It has given me a boost of mommy confidence that I think I was lacking a little. With Daddy being gone, I learned I was able to take really great care of you, by myself. It's not something I hope happens a lot. Daddy being home is a HUGE help. But I loved having this month with you. We found a new groove. You grew up a little, I grew up a lot. You have gone from being a little baby to me, to being a baby who knows how to get around and tell me what she wants.

I wonder if you'll ever know how much joy these past 9 months has brought me. You have helped make me a better person, my love. I can't imagine my life without you. All those cliches that people say about parenthood, are actually true! You will hear them all one day. And every time my mom would say to me, "Just wait until you're a mommy..." I get it now...

I love you baby girl. Thank you for making my world so much more full.
Happy 9 months!