Happy 10 months, Camden.

Dear Camden,


You are 10 months old! Just reading those words feels surreal to me. How could it be that my tiny lump of sleeping newborn is now on the verge of his first birthday? People always warned me that, when you have children, time starts to go by in turbo speed. They were right. But the past 10 months have been filled with lots of laughter, some tears, lots of sleepless nights, many smiles, tons of happiness, and more love than I ever could have imagined. You, my son, continue to be the best part of every single day.


At 10 months, you:

• Could win crawling races, I'm convinced. You are FAST. You can make it from one room to the next in just a few seconds.
• Are pulling up to stand and cruising around all of the furniture.
• Love to climb up the stairs. Too bad (for you) that we finally got a gate to stop you from partaking in this favorite past time.
• Walk all around with your push toys. Even when you fall over, you pull yourself back up to a standing position and keep right on going.
• Have now officially been sick twice. You went almost 9 months with no illnesses at all (not even a cold) & then caught 2 icky viruses in a month. Boo.
• Like to play "give me five"!
• Love to shake your head at people. And to copy people when they shake their head at you. You even copy your toys when Mommy makes them shake their heads at you.
• Are still Gummy McGee! No teeth yet for you.
• Just completed your fourth birthmark treatment. Hopefully there won't be too many more in store for you.
• Have terrible stranger anxiety. You cling to me and cry when placed in a room with unfamiliar people. It doesn't bother you, though, to be out in public places (restaurants, shopping, etc.) with strangers.
• Sometimes dance when music comes on. ADORABLE. Lately you've also been copying your daddy when he dances.
• Understand "no no" but don't always obey it. I mean, sometimes the dog food is just too tempting.
• Find the tiniest particles on the floor, stairs, carpet, ground outside, etc. to pick up and study. Sometimes you also attempt to eat them. Note to Mommy: vacuum more often.
• Adore your pets. You will hold out your hand to give Maggie a toy (or food) and will laugh hysterically when she takes it from you. You also love petting Snickers and chasing her under the dining room table.
• Will turn your head to find Mommy, Daddy, Maggie, Snickers, Baby (doll) when asked where they are.
• Are getting better at feeding yourself finger foods but still don't have the greatest aim.
• Enjoy eating yogurt, cheese, mac & cheese, pasta, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, graham crackers, & toast. You are starting to turn down the Gerber pureed foods.
• Have pretty much mastered the sippy cup. You love your (diluted) apple juice.
• Are a champion napper but still a pretty terrible night sleeper (I will throw a party the first time you sleep through the night.)
• Continue to love Special Agent Oso on Playhouse Disney.
• Are constantly crawling around while pushing a toy car, truck, or train.
• Love to read books. Your favorites right now are the peek-a-boo & doggie books.
• Are nursing about 4 times a day (and a couple of times at night.)
• Are babbling!!! Just a few days ago, you got really mad and started voicing your frustrations with "babababa". The next day, you added "dadada" to your vocabulary. We are thrilled that you are now "talking" to us.
• Love to throw things & play throw the ball with Mommy & Daddy.
• Still love blowing raspberries and will even do them on your arm or my arm.
• Are a very happy and active little boy. The only time you stop moving is when you are sleeping.

It is very hard to get a decent picture of you these days because of the last point mentioned-- you are ALWAYS on the go! Here's the best I could do (while you were trying to pull the camera out of my hands):

Happy 10 months to my favorite little guy. You are so loved.

Love,

Mommy