Growing up.

That's it. This child is growing up too fast and I can't take it! Baby, pleeeeaasseee stay a baby for a little bit longer. Puh-lease???? Linden got her third tooth today and I can see two more about to pop through. To add insult to injury she stood on her own for the first time yesterday. She did it twice for about 15 seconds. Oh times, they are a changin'.

Congrats to James for reaching the 5 year milestone at Ernst and Young. He works hard, and still finds time to be a stellar dad for that I am so thankful.

Lots of changes coming in the Willcox household. Labor day week is going to shuffle things up a bit. Mom puts on her big girl Tory Burches and starts her life as a lawyer and Linden puts on her big girl britches and starts Mother's Day Out. Pray for us. One or both of the aforementioned people does not handle change well!!!!

This picture was taken today. Is it just me or does that smile just light up like the Fourth of July sky???

Letters to Lindy: August 2011

Hi Little Girl,

Well, love, you are sick and I H.A.T.E. it. Not fair. It's funny, though, you have a runny tummy and a horrible diaper rash (as a result of the tummy) and you are running a fever but you aren't ACTING sick. That's so like you, love. Even when you are feeling down, you are still my happy girl. Lin, you continue to be a JOY. You are happy, and you are kind. You are patient, very slow to anger. I love that about you. A lot of babies your age are learning how to throw a temper tantrum. Not you. You are here to please, you cry, sure but you only cry for a reason. And thus, when you cried today because of your rash it broke my heart -- so much so that I had to call the doctor and get a special compounded prescription just for you! It isn't fair to make you suffer through over-the-counter meds. You only cry when somethings really wrong, you dont cry wolf, so whatever it takes mama is going to fix it. You can always depend on that.

So, you must be awfully cute. It's basically impossible for us to go out without people stopping to talk to you. I or dad will be strolling along and we will hear laughing behind us. You made someones day again. You smile at everyone, and in that way you bring such pleasure to people. I think you are going to grow up that way. I hope you'll warm hearts and be generous with your smiles. One smile from you, little girl, makes MY problems diappear. Mom and Dad are leaving for a cruise to the Bahamas tomorrow and though its only 4 nights that we will be away from you I can't imagine it!!!!! I will miss you so much, but I know you'll have fun with big D and LeLe. They take very good care of you, and your mom appreciates them more than they will ever know. Did you know how lucky you are to have grandparents that love you so?

We are all a little nervous for you to start Mother's Day Out in a few weeks. You will go from 9 - 1 twice a week. It will be good for you to be around other kids, I think you will thrive in such an environment. But, mom is not looking forward to all the nasty virus's you are sure to bring home.After your meningitis, you have been remarkably healthy... that is until you got sick a few days ago [which I am CONVINCED was a result of you going to the church nursery on Sunday.] Ugh. Guess we will see how it goes girlfriend. You have helped me with that, you know... "seeing how it goes." I have never been good at that, but you have forced me to be. I always, ALWAYS want the best for you but I have to realize, sometimes, that what is best for you [mothers day out?] isn't necessarily what's best for me...

Anyway, going to sign off now. I'll end with a few things you are loving at the moment: Little Bunny Foo Foo (you can even do the bunny motion yourself!); ICE; standing/walking along furniture; playing in your room (you entertain yourself for hours in there, just you and the books).

I love you little girl. I love you more than life itself. Literally. I would do anything for you, you are the love of your dad and my life.

Thank you for being you.

Mom

Linden's Milestones (Updated @ 10 months)

4 months - first foods - bananas, pears
4 months - rolling front to back
5 months - first trip to south africa; first plane ride (march 12-21)
5 months - rolling back to front
5.5 months - sitting unassisted
6 months - favorite foods: avocado! least favorite foods: green beans, mashed potatos
6.5 months - sleeping through the night (7:30 - 7:00)
7 months - reaching for mama and daddy
7.5 months - waving "bye-bye"; pulling up on elbows
8 months - first two teeth (bottom two); eating finger foods and "real" meals
8.5 months - scooting; army crawling; pulling into sitting position; sitting up in crib
8.75 months - "da-da"; "ma-ma" [for the record she said da-da first. UGH.] proper crawling EVERYWHERE; playing "How Big is the Baby?" game
9 months - pulling up on furniture; can say (and point to) "eyes"
10 months - walking along and between furniture; switched from bottle to sippy cup and from 4 feedings to 3 feedings; started "regular" milk-based formula [Enfamil Gentlease]; standing up in crib
10.5 months - tried yogurt for the first time (Greek, she wasnt a huge fan); 4 overnights with LeLe and Big D while mom and dad cruised the Bahamas.
10.75 months - got third tooth, stood on own for 15 seconds.

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo... How about You, You, You?

Lindy had a blast at her first zoo outing! She ooh'd at the monkeys, and ahh'd at the lions... but she really enjoyed the giraffes and the fish!



We were hoping for a bit more of a reaction when it came to the elephants (Roll Tide) but I'll settle for the belief that she was just in such awe of how awesome they were, she couldn't even speak!

I cannot express how precious this month is, August is Lindy and mom's month, before I start work, and we are making the most of it. I am simply enjoying my little girl to the fullest. I think, in many ways, this is going to make it harder for me to start work - talk about a change of pace! - but, I wouldn't trade this time with her for anything in the world. I know I will look back at this month - post-lawschool/bar exam pre-practice of law and always remember it. It's something I will truly cherish.