five alive

Dear Garrett,

You are a busy boy these days - busy exploring your world, which seems to grow bigger just as fast as you're growing bigger, busy being fascinated with all the new about you. And no wonder! You've only been around to scout it out for five fast-paced months. In my last letter to you, I told you of the things I love about you. Today I'd like to write about the things you love about your ever-expanding universe.

While you could do without the necessary bundling up in preparation for chilly weather, you love to go out with me on walks. As you sit, strapped in the Snugli, we go all sorts of places: the grocery store, the laundromat, the pharmacy, to and from the city on the subway. Yesterday we ventured to a park where you tried out the swings for the first time. Though all photographic proof of this adventure would lead anyone to believe that you could have done very well without them, thank you very much, I know better: the few smiles which broke through your frozen face told me you enjoyed it... though you'd prefer to come back in the spring when it's warmer.

You love to help me in the kitchen. And you are such a good helper, too! I'm not sure how I would bake cookies if you didn't smell the vanilla and the cinnamon for me, or taste a few crumbs of brown sugar. You love to try new foods - pears, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans. You love to open your mouth wide in anticipation, you love to chomp on the spoon when it enters your mouth, and even though the first bite always results in a squirmy look of disgust, you love those subsequent spoonfuls.

You love to be tickled - you love to laugh. You love to be twirled around and flown through the apartment like an airplane. You love to stand up like a big boy. You love to hang upside down like a monkey. You love to snuggle up against my shoulder when you're tired. (I love that, too.) You love to talk and squeal and tell me about all the things you love.

You love to play with your toys. You like the way they rattle and are easy to finger and grab. You giggle at the toys that squeak - which always makes me giggle, too. Some of your favorite toys doesn't squeak or rattle at all: your fingers and your knees and sometimes your toes provide you with endless fascination - and something always available to suck on. You love to play peek-a-boo. You love it when I get down on the floor and play with you. You like to show me your latest discoveries. You love to put it all in your mouth.

You still love your baths. You love to kick and splash. And even though you would rather stay in the water 'til you've pruned all over, you love the feel of the powder I rub over your body when you get out. You love it when my hair brushes across your face. You love to have your tummy rubbed.

You love to spend your days with me. And I love to spend my days with you. We have fun, don't we?

I love you, my sweet boy!

Love,
Mama