My Dearest Sidney Girl,

This letter is coming to you one week late, so you are now 10 months and 1 week old. I have some sad news for you. Just 2 days ago your Godfather, Peter, passed over after a 16 month long battle against a brain tumor. One of my goals in life will be to raise you and your brother to be the type of person Peter was: someone who profoundly touched every person he encountered and made the world a better place. Your Dad and I chose Peter to be your Godfather because he had a heart of gold and was an inspiration to all. I want you to remember in life that it isn’t about “things” but it’s about family, friends and love for others. Peter exemplified this and it shows by the outpouring of love and sorrow after his passing.

Fortunately, you’re too little to understand the heartache we are all going through right now. You know something is up though because when I hugged you after Peter’s death you came at my face with a wide open mouth and licked my tears. I’m pretty sure that was your first attempt at a kiss. You are also cruising but you would rather crawl because you can get there much faster. You particularly enjoy cruising over air conditioning vents and feeling the cool breeze blow your skirt up while you laugh hysterically. You are much more vocal this month and say Mama, Dada, Hi, YA! and most recently, Jackson. You adore your big brother while holding your own and never hesitating to steal one of his beloved Matchbox cars and chucking it across the room- you’ve got quite the arm.

I have no idea what you weigh, although it seems like you are leaning out now that you are on the GO! all. the. time. You sleep great and are still taking 2 naps a day: 1 mid-morning and 1 long afternoon one. You’re still attached to your Wubbanub binkies and need your iPod noise machine on full blast though– probably because the boys are so noisy in this house. You currently wear size 12 month clothes and size 3/3.5 for shoes.

You eat like a champion and routinely steal your brother’s food. Your favorites at the moment are still prunes and mac & cheese. You’ve also tasted ice cream and your expression was priceless: it’s as though you were saying “OMG, What is this decadent dish?!” I can’t wait for you to have your very own birthday cake in October. You’re down to about 3-4 times per day nursing: first thing in the morning, before or right after a nap and before bed.

A new development this month is that you have become a TUB POOPER. Jackson has never done that in the bathtub so I thought I was in the clear from fishing turds out of a tub. Guess not because it happened again tonight.

Still no teeth and I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t arrive until your birthday. You put everything in your mouth now, which doesn’t go along well with your brothers obsession of collecting coins and carrying them everywhere. Sidney Girl, you always keep us on our toes! Thank you for being such a doll baby, we love you.

Love you forever,
Mama

PS. I promise I will do a 10 month “shoot” with you, it’s just been a rough week. xo

Visiting Wright’s Dairy Farm for the first time. You cried when a calf walked near you.