Dear Sareena,
You are 11 months old here.
You are so inquisitive. You are always interested in what is going on around you. You respond to the softest noise or touch with pure attention. It is making you such a smart girl. The things I watch you figure out are wondrous. You are so sweet, always sharing. You hate to see other babies cry and will move to them with a toy to share or put your tiny understanding hand on them in solidarity. You are strong, always showing us that after a quick hug session, you are ready to brush off your falls or trips and try again. You are loving. Your sweet baby kisses are what Heaven is made of, I am certain of it. Your hugs are like butter and when you wrap your tiny hand around my fingers or place it on my cheek, I am overwhelmed with awe. If there is ever a moment that I don’t pay attention to you or I’m talking to someone, you grab my face and turn it toward you and plant a big kiss on me! You are assertive in the sweetest, most affectionate way.
You are playful, always wanting to interact with us. You are a jokester and I rely on your bright smile to give my day depth. The simplest things still make you the happiest. You love taking the cap off of a water bottle and putting it back on yourself. You shriek with laughter and delight and it seems to never get old!
This month you claimed a stuffed caterpillar as your baby and would love to swing it in the baby swing. You’d call it your little baby! This just adds to your already sweet and nurturing quality! This was also the month you became OBSESSED with hats. You took one look at yourself in the mirror and just knew how gorgeous you looked.
We got you a learning tower so you can stand next to me in the kitchen as I prepare our meals. You used to sit on the counter and watch me or play with random objects (colander, measuring spoons, spatulas etc) but now you can “help” me prepare meals! You enjoy helping me rip up lettuce for salad, and pour and mix things with me. Sometimes you like playing with scraps of veggies that I cut up for dinner and exploring their various textures and colors in their raw form.
You’re our little beach babe!
Your crazy hair whenever I take your hair ties out! (Also, this is probably the 3rd time you’ve stepped foot in that decorative item called a crib)
You graduated with your friends from Mommy & Me class this month! It has been so amazing seeing all of you grow up with the same babies since you were all newborns! We’ve now moved onto Toddler & Me classes together with everyone <3
Seriously how cute is this??!!
On your way to see Santa. You did not care for him. I felt so bad!
But then you got your first look at yourself with a hat as you went shopping with your Azo. Oh man oh man, once you saw how gorgeous you looked in the mirror, your hat obsession began. (even now that you’re currently 16 months as I write this, you’re obsessed with hats! We love it!)
99% of your clothing has been organic cotton clothing. About 75% of them have been from Burt’s Bees Baby because they’re just so soft, comfy and high quality! So naturally we had to get adult organic cotton matching pjs from Burts Bees for our cheesy family photo.
You slept 30 minutes past your 8 pm bedtime to celebrate New Years! You party animal you.
“Mama nigh nigh!! Mama nigh nigh!!!” You’re so cute I can’t take it.
You just love the swings!
You never fail to make us laugh.
Checking out a local storytime. I didn’t know that it was meant for 3-5 year olds but you enjoyed the stories and activities tremendously!
Your eyes are so expressive. I can read all the curiosity, wonder, excitement, questions, happiness, everything in your eyes. You make everything more beautiful, and for that I am grateful to you. I look forward to continuing to foster your interests and nurturing your mind. I try not to look at this as the last month of babyhood, but try to look at it as a step toward a stage that will be even more fun.
We love you forever and ever,
Mommy & Daddy