Dear Jackson,

In keeping with tradition, this letter is coming to you 7 days past your 8 month birthday. You have been very busy this past month and are blowing past developmental milestones too fast for my liking. Just today, as we were leaving your friend Charlotte’s house you waved goodbye to her and her Mom. Three days ago, on Saturday, you took your first crawling “hops” in a hotel room in Burlington.  We were in Vermont visiting our Great-Grandma and Grandma Z and attending the Kilbourn family reunion.  You met 75 of your relatives and loved every minute.  No naps were taken during the family-filled weekend, only because you might miss meeting someone new and charming them with your sweet, gummy smile.  A favorite memory of the weekend was you drumming with cousin Louise on her African drum.  It looks like you have more rhythm than Daddy & I!

Speaking of smiles, there are no teeth (yet).  You have had some teething pain though, which has caused you to wake up crying at night.  Your cries and tears break my heart, but thankfully baby Tylenol makes you feel better and helps you get the rest you need while going through this teething deal.  If I were a betting woman (I’m not, I always lose), I would bet that you will have one, if not both, bottom front teeth by the time I write your 9 month letter.

Your Dad & I have started the process of childproofing our townhouse, which is not as easy as it once sounded to me.  Now that you are mobile, you have an affinity to finding the small, random objects to place in your mouth and the open sockets to explore with your tiny fingers.  I made an emergency trip to Babies R’ Us last night to stock up on childproofing gear since you are on the move and I know it is only a matter of days until you are cruising around the house and exploring.

You now say Mama, Dada and HI! A few weeks ago you greeted Daddy in the morning with a Hi and later in the day you said hi to your Grandma Z when you saw her video on Skype. You love Skyping with your family in Florida and North Carolina.  You also love to Face Time with anybody who has the new iPhone 4. Your friend Charlotte and Daddy have this phone and you love to video chat with them. I believe you have inherited my “geek gene” because the sheer joy when you use technology like laptops and cell phones- it reminds me of the days I woke up at 5am before first grade to play with my Apple IIC.  I’m pretty sure you will want your own laptop as soon as you can talk, but you will have to convince Dad of “needing” that one.

Eating has become more fun for you.  You like to try new foods and have recently been chowing down on real turkey, shredded cheese and you love peach yogurt! You also love eating puffs now and don’t choke on them anymore. Who needs teeth anyways?
Jackson, it feels as though I write a new monthly letter to you every day.  You’re growing up so fast and I wish I could pause time and hold you in your rocker and smell your sweet baby scent forever. I know there will be a time when you don’t give me a big hug and toothless kiss every time I hold you.  Your Dad and I savor every single day with you and it keeps getting better.

I’ll love you forever,

Mama

This entry was filed under family, letters to my son on Tuesday, August 10th, 2010.