Dear Delaney...

Goodness, I know I've been late in posting these but it honestly feels like I have a new letter to you every week.  Time is flying, and I am really hoping to slow things down and savor the next two months.  Because you are 10 MONTHS my love. 

10 months...I remember reading a post from another mommy friend who has twin girls, and at 10 months she said she'd love to box them up and keep them there forever.  Yep, I am totally feeling that.  Pretty much in love with this age, and so is your Daddy.  You have become so interested in so many new things.  You really love looking at photos and pointing and touching faces - your favorite seems to be a family photo framed on the mantle.  We spend a lot of time there hovering and repeating "mama dada baby" as you whisper along. 

Puppies (aka Lambeau and any other four-legged friend) are your obsession.  If we drive by one you instantly point and shout puh-puh.  If we see one in a book you must stop and touch the page.  I took you to the vet the other day to pick up some medicine for Beau, and it was seriously the best thing that ever happened to you.  So many puh-puh's in one place - your smile lit up the room.

In other major news...you are no longer my toothless wonder.  Yep, two of em' finally cut through.  Two little perfect bunny rabbit bottom teeth.  You worked real hard for those little babies...

You're also officially going to be an early walker. So far your record is 6 steps all alone.  And you love to do it all nonchalant when you think no one is watching.  For example, I was on the phone with a friend recently and you walked from the window to the coffee table like you'd been doing it your whole life.  No big deal mom. 

Yes, your boots were definitely made for walkin' (and apparently my blackberry was made for chewing). 

It's amazing to think at the beginning of summer you were still a tiny baby, barely sitting on your own.  And now, as summer winds down I see a little girl emerging.  Hearing your voice, watching you get from point to point all on your own, seeing those wheels turn in that little head of yours - it is SUCH an exciting time to be your mama Delaney.

We were lucky enough to enjoy the last glorious days of summer with your Grandpa and Grammy K at their lake cottage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  It was heaven, and you were in heaven.  So much to see and do.  And your Grammy and Grandpa set everything up so nice for you, it truly was home away from home. 

You absolutely loved the pontoon, and in your classic fearless way HAD to be at the very front of the boat with the wind whipping in your hair.

Thankfully your new best buddy Gus was also there to keep a very close eye... ;)

And of course, Grandpa let you be his co-captain.

Our time there was spent at the beaches of Lake Superior where you dug right into the sand.  Followed by

downtime back at the cabin with Daddy, yummy meals with Grammy K, and long walks in the B.O.B.

--------

Finding the words to capture what it's like to be your mom seems to become more and more challenging these days.  I didn't know it was possible for my heart to keep growing and overflowing with all of this intense, life-changing, skip-a-beat kind of love I have for you.

You are it baby.  Everything I could have ever dreamed of, all came true the day that I met you.  I love you to the moon little one.

Until next month...