Tomorrow you turn five months old, and this is my first entry in over two months. When people tell you that your child is going to grow up fast, they mean FAST. Compounded by my return to work and our limited time together, you are growing at a pace I can barely keep up with. Every day after I have fed you your breakfast - which you still take on the boob, thank you very much - I hold you up so you can stand on your own two feet and ask you, "How much did you grow last night?" You always respond with a smile and an outward look, as if you might have some idea of how many wonders in the world are waiting for you out there.
So much has happened since I last wrote about you, I regret that I haven't documented more of it. There was your baptism when you were just three months old, for which your Godmother Josie came down from Alaska, and a party that was attended by all of your family and just a few close friends. It was such a special day, and came on the heels of a wonderful evening I spent playing rock and roll with your Dad and Grandpa. I am so glad that your other Godmother, Aunt Amy, talked me into doing a real Catholic baptism for you, because the experience was such a special one and felt truly reverent and sacred. More than once I held back tears that day, and not just from sleep deprivation, but because you, my first born son and light of my life, were dedicated to God and Jesus in the most perfect way. Even in the photos it was said that God's light was shining upon you.
My return to work has got us in a new routine that involves two days at a great day care facility, book-ended by a day with Daddy and a day with your Grandpa. Every other Friday I am off work and I relish spending the whole day with you uninterrupted, as we go shopping together, take walks and sometimes jogs to the park, and play together all around the house. I always put you on your tummy and help you sit up, and recently started practicing spoon feeding you some peas, rice cereal, and sweet potatoes. So far it's the sweet potatoes you prefer, and you won't happily eat anything that hasn't been warmed to the perfect temperature. But even when you fuss, you really are such an agreeable baby, and your Grandpa had a great day with you today, saying you were very "readable." Not only that, but you actually enjoy when I read to you, as I have from your first Bible, which was a gift from Josie. I also read "Goodnight Moon" to you. Your Dad likes to turn on "Yo Yo Gabba" and "Sesame Street" for you while you stand in your exercise gym we just got for you at a garage sale last weekend. Mommy thought it was time to change things up for you and give you some new challenges to stimulate your mental and physical growth. When I dropped in on your pediatrician's office last week just out of curiosity for your current weight, you came in at 17 pounds, 12 ounces. Whoa baby!
You are such a joy to wake up with every day. Now that we have you in your crib, sleeping on your own almost 12 straight hours every night, I actually miss you while you are in dreamland. When I do finally hear your sweet voice talking to your mobile or maybe just to yourself somewhere around 6:30 a.m., I walk into your room, put on my biggest smile, and say, "Hiii!" Your response is absolutely irresistable. You hear me first, look and see me second, and your whole face lights up with an excited smile finally. Today I even saw your arms open up and ask me to pick you up. I usually spend a couple of moments just enjoying your reaction, though, and marveling at how you've woken up to the world and find it such a happy place to be, every single day. Hold on to that spirit, Matthew, as it will carry you very far in this life.
Your Dad and I spent our first whole night away from you two weeks ago, when we went to the Central Coast for my friend Rebecca's wedding. I was a little anxious to leave you - yes, just a little, even though many moms are much harder with this milestone - but I knew you would be in the best of hands with your Dad's niece Alisa. (We call her Auntie Alisa but she is actually your cousin.) We dropped you off early on a Saturday morning and embarked on an extremely romantic getaway to Paso Robles, where we spent the entire afternoon wine tasting, before going to Zenaida Cellars for the ceremony and reception. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was lovely, and we enjoyed glass upon glass of red wine while dancing and singing and simply enjoying an entire evening to ourselves for the first time, really, since you were born. I wish I could say I slept in at the hotel that evening, but I am so auto-programmed to your routine that I didn't get any more sleep than usual. No matter; for the most part you give me and yourself all the necessary sleep on a regular basis. You are SUCH a good baby.
I was thrilled to have you back in my arms when we came to pick you up on Sunday, and last weekend I was off on Friday and I spent the weekend playing with you and loving on you as much as possible. All day long I am kissing your cheek, squeezing your chubby legs and holding your little hands, pulling you up into a sitting position and helping you lay down again. I want to be there for every smile, every giggle, every tooth and every tear. I always tell you I've got you covered, and that you will have everything you need as long as I take care of you. And I will, baby, I promise.
Love,
Mama
