Letter to my Baby Brynn: 1 year

Sweetie baby Brynnie,

You did it! You turned 1 year old! We did it! We kept you alive and healthy! This year has blown past me, and I’m not entirely sure where it went. You have been the perfect edition to our family in so many ways, and I’m so unbelievably grateful that you joined us, despite the challenges that go with having three kids. Because let me tell you: three children is a challenge. I’ve said countless times this year that three kids are a lot for me. (I’ve also said that I’ve discovered I can only parent two kids well at any given time, which is also quite true. I can keep all three ALIVE, but I can’t necessarily do it with any panache.)

Your personality is shining through so brightly. You have so much love and joy to offer, as well as a heaping helping of sass and opinion. I've said it several times now that you are our ginger girl and have the disposition to go with the hair. This shows through any time we want you to do something you don't want to; you will not be talked into it without much duress. You know your own mind and don't mind making it known.

Much like Claire, you are a scooter, not a crawler. Unlike Claire, you don't really scoot in a straight line and frankly, not as efficiently. You kind of scoot sideways, one dominant leg at a time. It has really increased over this past month, which has opened up a new world of exploration to you. Still no pulling up or cruising, but that will come. It always does.

You've been clapping and waving and learning to drink through a straw. You take your baths with the big girls and truly love being in the water (we're at the beach over your birthday, and you've been loving it!). One funny little thing that you do (that I don't think your sisters did) is that you smack your lips when you know you're about to eat. It is so funny, and we laugh every time! And kisses! You've started giving us kisses. It is THE BEST.

Waving to Mommy after giving Daddy kisses

Beaching!

The Jenny Jump-Up is still a favorite of yours (unless you think we're trying to corral you/keep you out of or away from something- then it's your nemesis), and you are so fun to watch while you're in it. You don't really jump; you do more of an acrobatic routine. You spin and twirl and use your feet to propel or stop. It's like a choreographed show sometimes, funny as that sounds.

You still like to sing, and this month has brought a new interest: books. This one confirms we brought the right baby home from the hospital. You will sit for exceedingly long stretches of time (for a baby) just looking through your board books. You know which bins have the books in them, and you pull them out far more than the bins with the baby toys. We love watching you do this! It makes me so excited for when you actually want to read stories together.

The past few weeks have been a little different in that you have been much more clingy to Mommy than usual. You have wanted to be held *almost* full time (held...worn in the Ergo...same thing to you) and have been much fussier than usual. We discovered the reason: you cut TWO teeth! Before your first birthday! This is unprecedented among Boswell girls. What does this aberration mean, Brynna?? Thankfully, we figured out the tooth situation and have been supplying you with frozen teething toys + alligator gel (Wink Naturals soothing gel, but it has an alligator on the tube, so obviously, that's what we call it). And I've been holding and wearing you a lot. You've perfected what I refer to as the "baby monkey koala grip" when I'm holding you. As difficult as it makes things when I'm trying to cook/clean/do laundry, I really love holding you and making you feel less sad.

There are so many things I could say about how wonderful your first year of life has been, but I just do not have the words to do it all justice. We think the absolute world of you and could not be happier to celebrate you! You are the dearest dear, and we love you immensely, Brynnie Baby.

Love you so very much,
Mommy

Week 49

Week 50

Week 51

One Year

Happy birthday, baby!

Letter to my Baby Brynn: 11 Months

My dear Brynnie,

Here we are: knocking on the door of your first birthday next month. It's unfathomable to me. I know I say something like that just about every month, but it's true, nonetheless. I'm always overwhelmed by it.

I laugh every time someone says that maybe you'll be my chill, laid-back baby. Daddy and I wondered many times before you were born if that would be who you are, and it's simply not the case. You've proven already that you're a firecracker. It's definitely going to make parenting less relaxed and chill, but I'm glad you know your mind and can (already) articulate your feelings. It will serve you well through the years.

You LOVE that baby in the mirror.

That said...we're not particularly fond of your current tendency to "jungle cat" screech when you are not pleased about something. I realize that part of that habit is due to the fact that you already know you have to assert yourself to make sure that you're heard over the other voices in this house. But still. You're a strawberry blonde (reddish head) and have somewhat of a matching disposition. I think you're going to be my Anne-girl.

You've recently mastered clapping (your hands...you've been clapping your feet excitedly for a long time) and are working on waving. You're still not crawling or pulling up (still fine with me), but you're somehow a masterful secret scooter. We almost never see you *actually* scooting, but next thing we know, you're across the room. You do it very stealthily and casually and we do not understand how you do it. But it works for you! I fully expect the doctor to start hinting that you'll need to see a physical therapist about the not walking. It's happened with both your sisters, so at least I'm mentally prepared.

Oh! But you have leg strength. Oh yes, you do. You are the BOSS of the Jenny Jump-Up. You're our only kid to truly embrace the jumper/swing, and you have EMBRACED it. You jump, you run, and mostly, you spin. You spin yourself up as much as you possibly can (until you can't touch the floor anymore) and then pull your feet up so that you spin crazy fast as you unwind. We all love to watch you because it's hilarious and you love it so much. 

St. Patrick's Day green-ing with Daddy

Still no teeth, which I've also been prepared for. All three of you have held off on teeth for a really long time. I think it makes all of your pictures look extra precious and tiny and gummy for even longer. It's a fun little bonus for me. Despite no teeth, you're (like your sisters) able to gum up food quite well. Unfortunately, you're toying with the idea of being a picky eater. Um...we don't do that. At least not if you're expecting me to prepare special food for you. Vaya con Dios and best of luck, Baby.

You're continuing to be quite the singer. You love being sung to, and you love to try out your own voice in song. I love it! Can't wait to see how that plays out in your life. 

Watching The West Wing with Mommy and Daddy

A few weeks ago, you became our first kid to spend time in the emergency room. You were a croupy little baby, and it was rather disconcerting. You and I hung out in the ER for 3 hours in the middle of the night so that you could get some steroids and calm down your breathing. Thankfully, you were a very sweet and happy baby throughout the whole situation. And you recovered nicely and fairly quickly!

ER hangs.

Daddy and I took you with us to Dr. Poe's annual Inklings Retreat at Montreat College this month. You were pretty tired and a bit fussy, but you were also very charming and adorable and won everyone over (as you do). One lady that you met looked at your face and said, "Oh! There's a galaxy in her eyes!" Which I thought was a beautiful description of your beautiful eyes.

We love spending our days with you. You light them up so much.
Love you,
Mommy

Foot clapping

More foot clapping and hand waving

Matching! Claire has a matching set, too, but I can't seem to have all three sets clean at the same time...laundry is hard, guys.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to dress all three girls in the same baby clothes. I have so many adorable favorites (and so many memories that go with different outfits), and I've been thrilled to use them three times over. I've been trying to make sure to snap pictures of Brynn in some of my very favorites.

It's getting harder and harder to get non-blurry weekly shots. It's a workout, and I enlist Lily to help me. Which makes it even more of an event. I very much hope you enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Week 44

Week 45

Week 46

Week 47

11 Months

Real life.