Nine Months!

My beautiful little Bean, you are nine months old today. Nine whole months, and you've officially been out in the world for longer than you were in my belly. I can't believe how time has flown. It seems like just the other day that I was staring longingly at babies as I passed them in the shops, pleading with your daddy to have a baby of our own. Now you're here, and you're even more exquisite than I could have imagined.

Life with you is such an adventure, and one that I wouldn't change for the world. You are so full of joy, my little baby Bean! Always laughing and smiling, and offering cuddles and kisses without second thought. Your trust in people - and in me and daddy - is inspirational: you happily go to any old stranger, happy to smile and interact with them, as long as a familiar face is nearby. Your appetite for life - and food - is large: you eat butternut, carrots, chicken casserole, cottage pie, and just about every fruit imaginable, with gusto. You're still breastfeeding, though with your high-demand for milkies and mommy's full-time job, we've had to supplement with a bottle or two of formula during the day.

We've managed to go nine whole months without dropping you on your head (or having you roll off the bed), although you did manage to slip in the bath and go underwater once (mommy still feels bad - I'm sorry, Bebe).

You're already wearing clothing made for babies aged 12 - 18 months, which means that there isn't much choice of onesies available. A very sad realisation for mommy - the minute you outgrow onesies, is the minute mommy has to come to terms with the fact that you are no longer a baby. You are moving towards toddlerhood so quickly, and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Some days I catch a glimpse of our reflection in the mirror or in a window, and I'm surprised at how BIG you are! You've grown so much, my Bean! You're sitting up properly now, you've started babbling (and you're even saying 'mama', although I think that's just a sound you make - it's not necessarily directed at me, but you seems to repeat it most often when tired, or hungry, or when you need some mommy loves), and you already have two teeth! Please slow down a bit, baby? I love seeing you grow, but I want to hit 'pause' and savour the little moments as much as possible.

I never, ever, ever could have imagined just how much I love you. I loved you the minute you were born, but it's amazing to think how much that love has grown and just how strong it has become. I look forward to watching you unfold and falling even more in love with you as you grow. I am so proud to be your mama, Bean. You are the sweetest, most loving little guy I know. I am so, so, so lucky to be your mommy. Thank you for choosing me. I love you more than cappuccino, more than macarons, and even more than chocolate (and more, still, than all those things put together). I love you more than I love myself, and that's a VERY big deal indeed.

Here's to the next 9 months... and the next, and the next, and the next...
x


Photograph: Nicola Bester