Dear Hank — 4 years

My dear Hank:

It's been 4 years since you came into our lives and changed everything — completely and absolutely — for the rest of our days. It's funny to think back on those first few months of your life where you depended on us for everything. That's certainly not the case anymore!

First, let's talk about the things that haven't changed.

1. You are still obsessed with vehicles of any kind, especially trucks. In fact we celebrated your birthday by taking you to Diggerland USA where you got to ride on and operate REAL construction equipment. (It was pretty awesome.) 
2. You are still a bona fide connoisseur of mac and cheese.
3. You still love your Croc® boots.
4. You are still thoughtful, pensive and cautious (and a bit of a worrier). 
5. You still love to cuddle and show affection. (One of my favorite things about you.)

You've recently become really and truly curious about the world, which Daddy and I find to be one of the most exciting parts of being parents. You ask questions that take us by surprise, and listen carefully to the answers. Questions like, "Why does the fire keep burning?" or "What makes it go out?" You've always been a really observant boy but it's only recently that you've verbalized the questions in your head. 

Speaking of observant, you have a freakishly good sense of direction. You love looking at maps and watching the GPS in the car. You know which roads we're on and what's around us (even if it isn't in view yet). Your PaPa and your Daddy both love maps and geography, so I suspect maybe this is a superpower you inherited.

Almost all of your playtime revolves around toys with wheels: cars, tractor trailers, trains, monster trucks, diggers, you name it. You love to build ramps and "obstekel" courses and refuse to get in the bathtub, car, or go anywhere really without at least 1 truck in each hand. 

We took our first beach vacation to the Outer Banks this summer with the LeVans and you were the happiest clam in the universe that week. Our rental house included a pool, hot tub, and was a stone's throw away from the ocean — and best of all you got to spend the week with your boys Alex and Jake (and Will). 

In July we did our second annual trip to the incredible Fireman's Parade in Northeast, Pennsylvania.  Your MoMo has some pretty awesome friends in high places who get us great seats for the parade. Firemen come from all over the place — even Canada! — to ride their trucks in this parade. You know all the different types of fire trucks and you literally shake with joy when the trucks start coming through.

As much as you love trucks, you also love girly things like princess dresses and painting your nails. You share a bedroom with your little sister Livy and the two of you have the sweetest relationship (most of the time). I love hearing the two of you laugh and sing to each other at night before falling asleep. Nobody can crack you up like Livy can. You also worship your cousin Kenzie and talk about her all the time. Even though she lives far away and we don't get to see her all the time, you think she's hilarious and get excited by the very prospect of seeing her.  

 We do lots of playdates with your best bud Jack. He brings out the more fearless and courageous side of you, which I love. It's been fun to watch the two of you go from toddlers who played side-by-side to big boys who play together for hours. You also love your friends at Miss Anne's pre-school where you do arts + crafts, tend to a garden, cook and bake, and have dance parties. And you lucked out with the very best grandparents any kid could ever ask for. You never want to leave Grandma + Opa's house or Nana + PaPa's house. I love that their homes feel like home to you. 

You are starting to write your own name and especially love to point out H's whenever you see them. Anytime we see a sign when we're out and about, you ask us to tell you what it says. Sometimes I get annoyed when I have to answer those 5 million questions a day, but the truth is I love that you're so curious about reading. 

You love to play driving games on the iPad and at the arcade (Chuck E. Cheese's) and it amazes me that you crash less than I do. The other day I was having quiet time with you while Livy was napping. You were sitting on my lap playing a new ATV game on the iPad. I remarked to you, "Wow Hank, you're really good at that!" You gave a little sigh and replied, "Mommy... I'm trying to be great." Then you wondered why I was laughing. Touché buddy. Touché. 

I love you so much, Hank. From the day they placed you in my arms for the first time, I knew I would never stop loving you. But I had no idea how much joy it would bring me to love you every day.

Hugs and kisses, 
Mama

Dear Hank — 3 years

Dear Hank:

We've officially kept you alive and well for 3 years now. They don't hand out medals for parenting, unfortunately, but I choose to be proud of the fact that you are a happy, healthy, lovable little 3 year old and that our sanity remains intact (mostly). 

You are at such an interesting age — your personality is bursting forth. You are saying and doing things that are completely of your mind, not just mimicking and parroting us, which is really, really cool. On a daily basis I find myself laughing at your choice of words, or how you notice something I wouldn't have. On the other hand, you have regular emotional meltdowns that try and test our patience. I try to remind myself that the world is so big to you and you just want some power and control over things — things that may seem trivial to us but are a big deal to you. The nice thing is that you can be having an epic meltdown one minute, and the next minute you're making me laugh. So it all evens out in the end.

Without a doubt, my favorite time of day is snuggling in our big bed with you after bath time. You, me, and Daddy read a book together and cuddle. You often say, "I love you." or "So cozy." during this time and it completely melts away any anxiety I had about how our day went. It's like we're hitting our reset button before bed, which I love. 

You are such an amazing big brother to Livy. You find her funny. And I'll watch your face as you have a moment of realization about how cute she is. You'll turn to me and say, "Livy is so TOOT!" You're very affectionate with her, unless she takes something of yours in which case all bets are off. You guys love to chase each other laughing through the house and play hide and seek. You also love to sit next to each other while watching a cartoon, or roughhouse together (Livy is more of a brute than you are). 

You remain obsessed with cars, trucks, planes, trains, and construction vehicles. I honestly think you know more about mechanics and engineering than some adults. Your eyes are keenly aware of any vehicle around us. Often you spot a plane or truck or construction vehicle that I don't even notice. And if I make a mistake in identifying it you are quick to correct me. When you play with these toys you are often on the ground, putting your face down near the wheels, and watching how it works.

You're still a pretty cautious kid when it comes to physical play, but you're becoming more and more adventurous. You love to jump! Your favorite shoes are your Croc boots, which you can put on by yourself. They're nice and bouncy and good for jumping in puddles. You're also good at climbing and are getting increasingly good at kicking balls. 

One skill I didn't expect you to have down at 3 years of age is driving. But thanks to the tractor that Grandma and Opa got you for your birthday, you are now 3 going on 16. Your Daddy and I are both amazed at how well you steer and maneuver your tractor with a trailer behind it. You can reverse and get yourself out of situations by yourself — even doing 3 point turns. You're also able to sit with PaPa on his John Deere lawn mower and steer it all by yourself. He pushes the gas pedal, but you are the one steering it all over the yard. At this rate, we won't have to teach you to drive when you turn 16 because you'll already have it mastered.

Some of my favorite Hank-isms:

• "Bop [stop]. I wanna tell you sumfing."
• helipopter [helicopter]
• Fophie [Sophie]
• Boops [boots]
• "Don't say that!" (whenever we say something you don't want to hear)

Your favorite food is mac and cheese. Your favorite color is blue ("boo"). Your favorite cartoon is Paw Patrol. (I love when you and Livy sing the intro song together, "Go! Go! Go!") You love playdates with your friend Jack where we go swimming or hang out at the museum. And you are also strangely fond of going to the doctor's office and playing doctor at home (you tell us that you are "Dr. Barber" which is your pediatrician's name). 

I love you, buddy. And I am so excited to spend the next year getting to know you better and seeing the world through your lens. 

All my love,
Mama

Dear Hank — 2 years

Dear Hank:

Today you are 2 years old, and I have never loved you more. I love you so much that I sometimes lie awake at night thinking about how excited I am to see your smiling face in the morning. It is such a joy to be your parent. I truly believe your light and energy make the world a better place.

The past year has brought so many changes, big and small. You started walking, running, climbing, jumping, and dancing. It is so amazing to see your little body investigate the world. Watching your little legs run is one of my favorite pastimes, and your jump (not quite graceful, but done with gusto) always makes me laugh. 

You also started talking this year, though it has been a slow, gradual process. We enlisted the help of a speech therapist who comes to our house once a week and plays with you. You love playing with Miss Jill and she is so impressed with how engaged and social you are. You have a deep and broad understanding of what people are saying at just 2 years old, but you haven't fully found your own voice yet. It's coming though, and every new word you say has your Daddy and I beaming with pride. Our current favorites are "bus" (said in the cutest singsongy two-syllable way — "BUUUUH-uhsss"), "please" ("PWEEZ", which you learned early on will charm just about everybody into giving you what you want), and "beep beep" (used to request us reading one of your favorite truck books).

You continue to be obsessed with trucks, cars, busses, diggers, etc. You name it, if it has wheels and moves you are SO into it. Even the books we read have to be about trucks. This isn't something we ever pushed you toward, so it's amazing to see your own passion for something grow and evolve. Wherever we go you spot them. We once took you for an ice cream cone at the Dairy Supreme and you refused to eat your ice cream because you were far more interested in watching the cars and trucks zoom by in the street. You stare at them with awe and point with excitement. I love that you love something so much, buddy.

When you were about 1.5 years old we started taking you to daycare two days a week. You absolutely love going to see Miss Anne and your little friends at Bright Beginnings. There you have circle time and dance parties and play outside (in summer and winter!) and do art projects. The bigger kids treat you like a younger sibling and get excited when you say new words or do something new. You have a shy personality but you are such an extrovert — you are energized by social activity and love having lots of people around.

At your 2 year well-visit with the pediatrician, you were 2'9" tall and weighed 27 lb. — you are getting so big! It's hard to believe that a year ago you were still crawling. 

You are a great sleeper. You go to bed around 7 PM at night and wake up at 7 AM. You also take a nap in the afternoon from about 1-3 PM, sometimes longer. Your Daddy usually does your bath and bed routine, but sometimes I get to do it and it's always a treat. I love rocking you and reading you a story, singing a song or two, and then laying you down on your belly to tuck you in. You have a special blanket that you love. And as I turn out the light and leave the room you are often cuddling your stuffed excavator or making it crawl across your crib. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

You are also still a very good eater. Meal times are fun with you — you basically eat whatever we eat. Some days you will favor or refuse certain things, or barely eat at all. But more often than not you eat a variety of foods. Some of your favorites are cheese, ham, pizza, fruit, salad, and green beans.

When you were 1 year and 10 months old, you became a big brother. Livy was born and, after a week or so of thinking she was just a new toy, you realized she was a member of the family just like me or daddy or the dog. It's been such a beautiful gift to watch you become a big brother and to see how loving and affectionate you are with Livy. I know your relationship will evolve and have ups and downs, but I'm glad you will always have each other.

Hank — I love your wide, sometimes mischievous, grin and your curious spirit. I love how freakishly observant you are and how you love to give and receive affection. And I love chasing you around the ottoman to the "Drive the Firetruck" song and hearing you laugh uncontrollably. I can't believe how lucky I am to be your mama and to spend time with you everyday exploring the world. 

Happy Birthday, my little star.

Love,
Mama

Dear Hank — one year

My sweet boy, Hank:

There is a lump in my throat today and tears just waiting to erupt at the slightest nudge from my heart — a heart that is so full as I think back on what life was like one year ago today. My heart swelled that day and enveloped you with the sweetest, purest kind of love. A mother's love. I became a mama that day, your Mama, and I felt for the first time what it was like to love someone so completely and openly that nothing and nobody could shake it. 

Yep, now I'm in tears. 

*sigh, gulp, smile* 

Today I see a boy who is kind, and affectionate, and contemplative. You seem to listen with your eyes, your ears, and your whole self. When you love something your whole face lights up and you vibrate with excitement. Then you'll look back at me like, "Are you seeing this too?!" and I am reminded of how amazing and wonderful the world really is. 

This month was a busy one for us. We made fun summer memories with your cousins Alex, Jake, and McKenzie. We've had lots of little adventures with family, like trips to the pool, the park, the zoo, the beach, the frozen yogurt shop, and the mall. And of course lots of naps sprinkled in there too.

We also started a baby music class on Wednesdays. At first you were a little shy being there, but it didn't take long for you to laugh and giggle and jump up and down with excitement. You love the sing-alongs and playing peek-a-boo with the silky scarves. Mommy loves that she can see your face when it's under the scarf and you think no one can see you. It just might be the cutest thing ever.

You are still doing the army crawl a lot, but will crawl on your hands and knees when you only have a short distance to go. You also pull yourself up on things all the time. You're still a little shaky on your legs, but it won't be long before you are standing and walking.

If I blink too long you are across the room and bolting toward whatever in the room is unsafe. Like scissors. Or the dog's icky tennis balls. Or anything else you aren't supposed to have. Lately you've been taking your toys over to the dog's water dish and throwing them in. Maybe you think you're taking them to the pool?! You also LOVE to play with Grandma and Opa's kitten, Allie. You know just how to use her toys to get her to play. And you often do this with a serious look on your face, like a professional Las Vegas cat wrangler.   

You love to play with junk mail. We give you a pile of papers and you are content and excited for a good 20-30 minutes. You have also become quite good at entertaining yourself for longer periods of time. As long as we are close by, you are usually happy to just play with your toys and talk baby gibberish while we look on. Of course we still join you for play time, and read lots of books together. You still love the interactive books like lift-the-flaps and books with textures.

Mealtime is an adventure for you. You love most foods and have a healthy appetite. Yes, there are days when you hardly eat a bite. But we don't stress about it. We offer you a variety of foods and let you choose what you eat. You are even using a spoon now and — I have to say — you're pretty darn good at getting it in your mouth most of the time. We have given up on trying to spoon feed you ourselves because you would much rather do it on your own. This also means I am now mopping the floor nightly.

In two days you will eat your first cake, blow out your first candle (maybe), and hear dozens of people singing you Happy Birthday for the first time. I hope you don't get scared and start crying. But mostly I hope that you feel all of the love coming your way. Because you are very, very loved.

Happy Birthday, my star.

Love,
Mama

Dear Hank — eleven months

Little Hank: 

Today you are 11 months old. 11 months. As in — almost one. My baby is on the brink of toddlerhood, and I am an emotional mama. I'm thrilled to see you changing so fast everyday, and also a teensy weensy bit sad that my once tiny baby is becoming a little boy. Don't worry though — your mama wouldn't hold you back for anything. 

You are officially a boy in motion. You are still doing somewhat of an "army crawl," but you can move across the room that way faster than lightning. I don't know if you will get up on your hands and knees eventually, or if you will just keep doing the worm and move on to walking. You move from sitting to crawling and crawling to sitting with ease, and you can even pull yourself up on things and cruise for a few steps on your feet.   

You love anything with wheels on it — cars, trucks, construction vehicles, even boats and planes. And you know how to play with them, using your hands to make them zip across the floor (instead of just putting them into your mouth like you used to do). The Fisher-Price® Little People® are also a favorite of yours. We make up stories with them and pretend they are your friends and family who we don't get to see very often. It helps us feel close to them.

You waving in the Lawrence Park Fourth of July parade.

More than anything though, you love being around people. We take you out to restaurants, playdates, story-times, sing-alongs, and all kinds of places so you can watch people. You even rode in a parade with your daddy and his boss on July 4. You smiled and waved at everyone the whole time. Mommy was afraid you might be afraid of all of the loud noises and people, but you were as cool as a cucumber. I am always saying you have a legion of devoted minions, but now it's becoming clear that you really do!

This month was full of many other firsts for you. You had your first trip to the beach at Presque Isle with Nana and Papa AND Grandma and Opa. You had your first frozen yogurt (blueberry with no added sugar) which you couldn't get enough of. We also went out on Opa's boat for your first boat ride. We zoomed across Edinboro Lake and you loved it. You enjoyed chewing on your life jacket, too.

Food-wise, we've been enjoying the fresh fruits of summer. You LOVE the fresh-picked cherries that Grandma and Opa brought home. You are also a big fan of blueberries and watermelon. You've still only got two teeth, but you manage to chew a lot of finger foods with those toofers. I still grind up a few things to spoon feed you, but lately you prefer to feed yourself most of the time.  I know right away if you don't like something because you throw it down to your (anxiously waiting) doggie. 

We have a lot more memories to make before your first birthday. You make the world a more exciting, more joyous place where ever you go. And I couldn't be more proud to be your mama.

A dozen cheek kisses,
Mommy

Dear Hank — ten months

My little bug boy: 

You are growing up so fast that I am more than a week late in writing this! Gone are the days when I could take my eyes off of you for a few moments. You are mobile — not quite crawling yet, but worming and wriggling yourself around and not far away from figuring out how to get up on those hands and knees. We've been working toward this for so long that I can't even tell you how happy and proud it makes me. Whereas once you were far too cautious and stubborn to even spend a minute or two on your tummy, now you are confidently navigating the world that way for much of your wakeful time, and even sleeping on your belly, too. We have turned a corner, and mommy and daddy have some child-proofing to do.

Your personality is blossoming as quickly as your gross motor skills. You have a few signature moves, including: 

• rotating your hands and wrists with your arms out (or "casting spells" as daddy calls it)
• bouncing up and down with a big smile on your face, accompanied by an ear-piercing shriek
• scrunching up your shoulders while you flash someone a smile, kind of like an "aw shucks"

When it comes to fine motor skills, you are as advanced as ever. You love to play with zippers, buttons, and necklaces when people are holding you. You pick up and eat all kinds of finger foods with ease. And you love to play with the little tags and details on all of your toys. I often imagine you putting this attention to detail to good use someday, maybe as a surgeon, or one of those artists that paints the alphabet on a grain of rice. ;) 

Buddy, you are my cuddlebug. You love when people sing to you, it is usually the surest way to calm you down if you're crying. You are a bit empathic, reading and taking on the feelings of those around you.  I love how you love the world. And the love and joy I feel from you makes my heart swell bigger than I ever thought it could. We are like a reciprocating love machine around here.

Dada is still your favorite thing to say. I'm still waiting to hear you say "mama" for the first time. I may explode. You also say lots of vowel sounds and the "Ga" sound. Usually you are either quietly taking in the world around you or chatting up a storm and shrieking.  I wonder if you will be a chatterbox like me, or more quiet like your daddy.

A couple of weeks ago, I weaned you from breastfeeding and we switched to bottles and formula. After about a month of me dealing with you biting — and trying everything to get you to stop — I finally waved the white flag. I miss our quiet nursing sessions more than you do, I think. But I don't have any regrets. I loved every moment of breastfeeding (well, after the first 6 weeks). But I love bottle-feeding you, too. Now you are close enough that I can kiss your head, which I admittedly do throughout your feedings. 

You are eating Gerber Good Start Gentle formula with Dr. Brown's bottles. You eat three meals of solids a day, both purees and finger foods, though most of your purees have some texture to them now. Some of your new favorites are zucchini muffins, ground meats with veggies or sweet potatoes, and lemons and dill pickles. You have quite the adventurous palate. 

Life is changing fast for us as we approach your first birthday. While I sometimes wish I could keep you little forever, those moments are quickly followed by an overwhelming sense of excitement and gratitude for the little boy you're becoming. I often think every age and stage you go through is my favorite, but I think that's just an indication of how in love with you I am.

Squeezy hugs, 
Mama

Dear Hank — nine months

My dear Hank:​

​Can we just stop time for a little while? Just hold on to the way you are right now for a bit longer? I know each age and stage of parenting has its joys and struggles, but I'm really enjoying you right now. 

One of the most exciting changes this month is that you got your first tooth! Your bottom center tooth on the left came up first, and It looks like the one right beside it will be coming up soon. You have been drooling and teething for quite a while, so it's very exciting to see that little pointy tooth in there.

You've also started really playing with your toys instead of just putting everything into your mouth. It's so fun to watch you examine and discover ways of touching, feeling and manipulating things. From the big stuff in your toy box to a little tiny morsel of ground beef in your food, you are so curious and observant. ​

You love playing with just about anything, but you do have some favorite toys, like:

1. A little Cobbler's Bench that was your Daddy's toy when he was little (a gift from his Papas). You love the hammer especially.
2. Karen Katz lift-the-flap books.
3. Anything musical, especially this baby orchestra set by Hohner Kids.
4. These Fisher-Price Lil Zoomer Safari Speedsters.

You have started to mimic gestures and sounds, though not really mastering any of them yet. You will wave your hand hello or goodbye, but you aren't quite sure what it means yet — except that all of the adults in your life do it with giant silly grins on their faces whenever somebody comes or goes. You also say, "Da-da-da-da-da-da" a lot, and have even said "dada" to your daddy a few times. But we're not completely sure you are doing it intentionally yet. ​

We've been working so hard on getting you to crawl, but you're not convinced you want to do it yet. You bounce when you're sitting and lean forward onto your hands, but haven't taken that plunge ahead yet. For now, I'm trying to enjoy your non-mobility while it lasts, because I know you won't always stay where I put you!

We are still living at Grandma and Opa's house, trying to sell our house in Bellefonte and find a house here in Erie/Edinboro. Sometimes we grow very impatient with how long the process is taking, but we remind ourselves how lucky we all are that you get to spend all this time with your grandparents — and they get to see your smiles every morning. You always have a smile for everyone and it is truly heart-melting.​

You are still breastfeeding. Daytime feedings can be a challenge as you are more interested in playing and looking around. I've learned that I need to give you something to play with or sing you songs throughout your feedings to get you to stay latched on. At night though, you are content to just eat while I rub your back and legs, and you look up at me and rub my arm. These moments are more precious to me than all of the gold in the world. ​

At your 9 month well visit this month, you:​

• weighed 17.9 lbs (15th percentile)
• were 26 inches long (3rd percentile)
• had a head circumference of 46.5 cm (85th percentile) 

We have dropped some night feedings, though you still get up at least once a night to eat. You go to bed around 6 PM and wakeup around 6:30 AM. You also take two naps a day totaling about 3 hours on a good day. ​

Mealtimes with solid foods are so much fun. You love feeding yourself and it's such a thrill to watch you discover foods. We usually have one puree (prunes, applesauce, yogurt, etc.) with each meal and then at least one thing that you can feed yourself. In the morning it's waffles with coconut butter and fruit, or a bowl of oatmeal. Lunch and dinner vary week to week, but some of your new favorites are cod and spinach, avocados covered in cheerio dust, and pasta with bolognese sauce. If I had to say what your favorite foods are I would go with waffles and sweet potatoes — you always gobble those things up quickly with a happy face.

​I like to think you're a Mama's boy but the truth is, you're pretty obsessed with your Daddy. If he's in the room you're always fascinated by what he's doing, and to this day nobody can make you laugh like he can. It is one of the great joys of my life to watch your relationship with him unfold. He still gives you a bath every night and takes care of you in so many ways. Mommy is very lucky.

Speaking of baths, you went through a phase this month where you pooped in the bathtub every night for a week! ​We had quite a few laughs about this and thought maybe you had developed a quirky new habit, but thankfully you stopped doing it. Little buddy, you are always keeping us on our toes.

​I can't wait to spend the summer with you and Daddy going to the park, playing in the grass, getting books from the library, swimming at Presque Isle, and visiting our friends and family. You make everything a fun adventure.

I couldn't love you more,​
​Mama

Dear Hank — eight months

Little Hankster:

I feel as if we are in the most beautiful transition of time. You are still my little baby but you are on the brink of boyhood. Not quite talking yet (though you do make lots of sounds) and not quite mobile yet (other than scooting around your crib). I am drinking in these days knowing that they are numbered and our lives will change very soon.

You change so much from minute to minute. Sometimes I look at you and marvel at how little you are, later the same day I will remark to your Dad how big you feel in my arms when I nurse you. It's a wild period that we're in. In fact, I had a hard time choosing which photograph best represents you this month. Is it that innocent cherubic baby up above? Or the boy below who knows a little more than he lets on? I am in love with the many facets of you.

Some of my favorite things that you've been doing lately:

• the occasional perfectly-dramatic sigh
• staring intensely at people (this one is especially entertaining when you do it to strangers who come up to us in public, often staring at them to the point that they feel unsettled, at which point you will break into a smile like "gotcha!")
• shaking your head "no" anytime I go anywhere near your nose (mama is a little OCD about you sometimes)

Food has been the focus this month, as we transitioned from purees to solids and you started feeding yourself more and more. It is such a thrill to watch you put food in your mouth, taste it, and chew it. I am mesmerized by it. We often give you little bits of whatever we're eating, and keep certain foods around for your daily meals and snacks.

Some of your favorites:

• oat toast with white bean hummus
• peach yogurt
• sweet potato "fries" (baked with some olive oil)
• steamed apples
• puffs (which have helped you with your pincer grasp)

You still nurse 8 times a day, including 3 times during the night. You haven't quite learned to multitask yet so you still get distracted during your daytime feedings. I've taken to nursing you in the dark, quiet bedroom so that you actually eat instead of flailing your arms and head around every time a noise or movement occurs. You are always my curious little guy.

You sit up like a champ and will sometimes even lay back with your elbows propping you up. Your muscles are strong and you are lean. I love kissing your cheeks because they are the chubbiest part on you! We are working on getting you to crawl by spending more time on your tummy, reaching forward for things, and staying propped up on your arms. You have the ability to do all of these things but you are NOT a fan of it. At all. We had an appointment with a physical therapist at Shriner's Hospital for Children so we could learn how to challenge you to stay on your tummy and work on crawling. Developmentally you are quite capable, but you are very strong-willed and resistant to being on your tummy. It may have something to do with the reflux you had as an infant. No matter what the reason, I have no doubt that you will eventually crawl and will then move on to walking (probably 2 days later).

My days with you are filled with your sweet affection, your silly faces, your crazy talk, and watching your little eyes as they take in the world. There are times when I miss taking long showers, or sleeping through the night, or concentrating on anything for any length of time. But I consider myself truly lucky that I am at your service. You are the most demanding boss I've ever had, but you give the world's greatest hugs.

Love you, to the moon and back, times a million.

Mama

Dear Hank — seven months

My Baby Hank:

As I write this you are sitting in your Jumperoo bouncing around like a crazy orangutan. And I absolutely love it. I love how crazy you are and I love the joy I feel while watching you jump.

This month, you were engaged and engaging. You watch everything we do with quiet contemplation, and you charm the pants off of everybody you see. You babble and squeal pretty regularly now, and while I don't know what you are saying I can tell with certainty that it's very important to you. I always listen intently. I hope you know that I will always listen to you.

You now sit up regularly with ease, not needing any assistance except for when you occasionally topple over. Your little hands have become quite adept at grabbing and holding things, but we are still working on that pincer grasp which you haven't quite mastered yet. I never knew a guy who liked to suck on his feet so much, but I admit I am a little envious of how flexible you are — a trait you have inherited from your father, I think.

At your 6 month checkup, you weighed 15 lbs. 9 oz. — more than double your birth weight, which is wonderful. I suspect you weigh more than 16 lbs. now, probably closer to 17 lbs. You wear size 3 diapers. And you graduated to a big boy car seat instead of the infant carrier seat you were in since birth. You wear size 6-12 month clothing, though some of it is still a little big on you.

Solid foods have been a joy for you to explore. We try one new food a week, and you usually make a face at first and are a bit skeptical, but by the third bite or so we have you convinced. You are not a fan of plain avocado, but you have acquired a taste for the guacamole at Chipotle.

Some foods you love:

• sweet potatoes (still your favorite)
• peas
• mangos
• yogurt
• puffs
• pear juice (mixed with water)

You also eat prunes sometimes to get the pipes moving. We had to stop giving you bananas because they seemed to constipate you. We'll keep trying things in the future as your palette and tolerance changes.

Just this past week, I stopped breastfeeding you and started pumping and giving you expressed breastmilk. You were so distracted and curious while eating that you weren't nursing long enough during the day. I only planned to pump for a day or two to see how much you were getting, but you don't seem to care how you get your milk so we are going to continue with the pump and feed method for a while. It is extra work for me, but I have the peace of mind of knowing you are getting what you need.

You still sleep from 6 PM to 7 AM, waking up twice to feed in the middle of the night at 11 PM and 4 AM (roughly). We are transitioning from 3 naps a day to 2 naps, and I'm hoping you nap longer and more consistently because of that. A 2-nap schedule will give us more freedom during the day to go out and about, which you love and it also keeps your mama from going crazy.

We joined the local YMCA this month and you spend an hour or so in their childcare area while mama gets her fitness on. I was worried about leaving you with a stranger, even for a short time. But on the first day I came back to find you flirting with 3 ladies who were all ooohing and ahhhing over you. I think you might have the social graces of a Bill Clinton or George Clooney.

My favorite moments of the day are still when you have your arms wrapped around my neck. It's usually when you are very tired and I'm carrying you off to bed, and you will take your tiny hands and rub my neck or tug on my earring. There is nothing sweeter. I hope when I am an old lady, these are the memories that never leave me.

No matter where we go or what we do, you are my happy guy. That's not to say you never cry, because you do. But when you do it's for a reason. You do have a bit of a temper at times, and get very loud and vocal when something isn't going your way. I suspect you may have inherited some of my impatience. :)

Patience, kindness, thoughtfulness... so much to teach you, and so much to learn from you as well.

I love you, Hank.

Mama

Dear Hank — six months

Dear Hank:

Today I am closing my eyes and remembering that morning 6 months ago when you were born. I am back in the operating room full of doctors and nurses, and I can picture all of it like little vignettes. Like seeing your dad's face, with tears in his eyes, after he saw you for the first time. And the look we gave each other when words would have never been adequate. I remember holding you for the very first time and being so amazed by you.

I loved you before I knew you. Before I knew how your smile would light up your whole face. Before I knew that your curious fingers and sweet little toes would make even the hardest, most trying days all worth it. Now I see your personality, your way of being, and I see flashes of who you might become. I am already so proud of who you are.

This month, we focused a lot on sleep. That is — getting you to sleep. Our old method of following your cues and doing whatever it took to get you to sleep was just not working anymore. You were so tired. And you so needed to sleep. And while our arms and rocking and singing once lulled you to sleep, it just wasn't working anymore. We moved you into your own room. I thought it would be a gradual process, but it happened all at once. You were much happier when you weren't being roused from sleep by sounds from me and daddy, or your snoring four-legged sister. We also started putting you to bed a lot earlier. Instead of 9 PM, you now go to sleep at 6:30 PM. You take 2 or 3 naps a day varying in length from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Overall you sleep for about 16 hours a day total, and you are so much happier.

Can I tell you a secret? I miss sleeping with you, and I miss having you next to my bed at night. The sound of your breathing, your cute little sighs, and the clicking sound as you suck on your pacifier — it was comforting to hear your little noises and know that you were ok. But I know that you are sleeping better, and that your brain is well rested. And I have a new favorite part of my day. In the middle of the night, after I've fed you and I'm walking you back to your crib, your wrap your arms around my neck and fall back to sleep. And I savor those moments. There is nothing better.

This is what a typical day looks like for us now:

• 7:30 AM — wakeup, play, nurse, more play, read books
• 9:00 AM — first nap
• 10:30 AM — wakeup, play, nurse, more play, read books
• 12:30 PM — second nap
• 2:30 PM — wakeup, play, nurse, run errands, help mommy make dinner, play with daddy
• 5:30 PM — bathtime with daddy, PJs, nurse
• 6:30 PM — goodnight kiss, bedtime
• 10 PM — nurse
• 2 AM — nurse
• 5 AM — nurse

If your naps are short, you get a third nap in the afternoon. When you play, sometimes you play with mommy on the floor. Sometimes you play by yourself in your Jumperoo or your Twirl n' Whirl. Other times you play with a small toy while I do some chores.

You are just now trying solid foods for the first time. We are doing the baby-led approach. So far you have tried bananas, and you mostly chew them and spit them back out. But I think in a few weeks you will get the hang of swallowing.

You still love to stand, and bounce, and you are still chatty as ever. Sometimes you even try to talk while you are nursing, which is really funny. You also love to kick your legs and will often pick both legs up and slam them down. Our little professional wrestler. You've also started to sit up on your own. You can go for about 10-20 seconds without falling over or needing some assistance. You still hate tummy time, and immediately flip over when I put you on your tummy. You may never crawl, but that's okay. :)

I think you may have learned some crazy facial expressions from mommy. You are so expressive with your face. This month you learned how to pout, and you even do it at appropriate times. Like when I hide your toy behind my back. You are very observant of people and you love to look out the window and take it all in.

You are such a happy guy. You have a smile for just about everybody who greets you. Once, we met a beautiful young lady who can read auras, and she said you are surrounded with love. I knew she was right. You are so loved by so many people, but you also radiate love outward. The way you look at me and see me, the way your little hands rub my arm or face, every day you make me feel so loved.

You are my sunshine, Mama

Dear Hank — five months

Dear Hank:

I fall more in love with you everyday. Every now and then I think to myself that my heart is feeling as full as it can feel, and then you do something else that makes my heart swell. I love being your mommy. And I love knowing you.

You are 5 months old now. I look back at your newborn photos and can't believe you were ever so small. How did we ever take care of someone so tiny and fragile? I guess you were never as fragile as you seemed. Even now, I am amazed by your resilience. We have spent the past month packing up to move and traveling for the holidays. I thought the constant change might be hard on you, but you just go with the flow. I think you may have some things to teach me about that. :)

I have a little cuddlebug in you. You are so affectionate. You love to nuzzle my face and neck, and you love when I put my face close to yours and we smile at each other. You rub my arm and my breast when you are nursing. When you are upset, you hold on tight to my finger and squeeze. Even without words, you can make me feel loved.

Speaking of words, you haven't said your first word yet, but you are the chattiest little guy. You go on and on with warble-y, coo-y sounds that make no sense at all, but I am convinced you know exactly what you are saying. I love hearing your stories, even if I can't understand them yet.

You are the most curious little man. You will often sit still and watch the world around you. People will say to me frequently, "He's just taking it all in!" I like to think that someday you will be a people-watcher like Mama.

Everyday we spend time together on the floor. It should be called "tummy time" but you don't like to spend much time on your tummy. When I put you on your tummy, you get frustrated and eventually start crying. But we still try several times a day. Eventually you will figure out how to crawl, and then there will be no stopping you.

You are most happy when you are standing up, with help of course. You love being able to see everything around you like a big boy. You have the strongest little legs and sometimes you kick me so hard that it surprises me. I remember feeling those kicks when you were inside of me! Almost everyone who holds you comments on how strong you are. I wonder how you will decide to use those muscles of yours.

Some other random tidbits from this month:

1. If you get unhappy on a car ride, you will calm right down if we play rock music, like Bon Jovi or Pearl Jam.
2. You finally outgrew sleeping in your swing. You've graduated to sleeping in the Pack n Play right beside Mommy's side of the bed. Eventually we'll move you into a crib in your own room, but I don't think you (or Mommy) are ready for that yet.
3. You love when we sing "The Green Grass Grew All Around" and when Mommy makes you dance. When you read this someday, you can look up "Gangnam Style" and know that Mommy made you dance to some weird music.

I'm saving the best for last. My two favorite things that you started to do this month: giggling and reaching up. Your laugh, my goodness, your laugh is the sweetest sound I've ever heard. Daddy will kiss your belly and his beard tickles you and you go into fits of laughter. That, alone, is worth any amount of pain or sacrifice I've ever had to endure for you. I will never forget the sound of your laughter. And your arms now reach out when you want me to pick you up. Of course, I always oblige you.

Hank, I love every little morsel of your being.

Always, Mommy

Dear Hank — four months

Dear Hank:

I am writing this letter 6 days late. And that's because it's been a craaaaaazy month around here. Amidst all the craziness, you have been a happy, peaceful, content little boy.

This month we found out that your Daddy's job will have us relocating to Erie/Edinboro PA at the end of the year. Your Daddy works for the U.S. Congressman for the 5th District of Pennsylvania. They need someone to represent the Congressman in the Erie area which was added to their district this year. And because your Daddy was born and raised there, he was the best choice for the job. We've been scrambling to pack up the house and get all of our affairs in order to sell our house. There is some sadness because we are moving away from the people we love here, but we are also moving close to your Grandma and Opa and Momo, which we are very excited about. There is also lots of fun stuff for a little boy to explore in Erie, including a zoo, a lake with lots of beaches, and an indoor water park.

This month was also crazy because your Mama had a HUGE work project going on. I worked with a company called Johnson & Johnson on a TEDx event. I coached speakers in developing TED Talks — "the talk of their life" — and I designed their presentations. I had 19 speakers to work with so I was a busy, busy lady. And during that time your Grandma, your Nana, your Aunt Stacey, and your Daddy all made sure you were well cared for and loved. I missed you so much at times when I had to be away during the day. And I would work after you went to bed and early in the morning while you were sleeping. You and Daddy came with me to Jersey City, NJ for the event and stayed in the hotel most of the time. During dress rehearsals Mommy was so busy that Daddy brought you to the Liberty Science Center so Mama could feed you while she was working. You got to meet a lot of people and they were all enchanted by you. And best of all, you got to spend lots of time with Daddy who just loves to spend time with his boy. Your Daddy is an amazing husband who has and will make sacrifices so that I can do what I love. And I love that you can see him love me that way, and feel him love you that way too.

This month wasn't all about me and Daddy though. Oh no. YOU grew up so much! You went through a growth spurt and had a few nights where you were up eating every two hours. At your 4-month checkup with Dr. Collison we found out you are growing like a little lollipop. You weigh 13 lbs. 4 oz. which puts you in the 8th percentile for weight (up from 6th). You are 25 inches long, the 60th percentile for height (up from 33rd). And you are still our big-headed boy in the 88th percentile for head size (up from 77th).

Just this week you started breastfeeding more efficiently. It always took you at least an hour to nurse, but now you are done in about half an hour. This has really freed up some time for us — more time to play and do fun things together. Our favorites are singing songs together and reading books.

You love to stand up with help. You have freakishly strong neck and leg muscles for a 4 month-old. And you are very curious about the world. I love that you are content to spend a lot of time staring at things around you. Usually you do this while munching on your hands, which you are obsessed with. Instead of sucking on just a finger or a thumb, you try to put both fists in your mouth at the same time. It cracks me up.

You are quite the chatty little boy, like your Mama. You've been making coos and rahhhs and all kinds of dinosaur-like noises. And you've finally started to play with some of those toys we've had around for a while. Grabbing your O'ball, your Tigger rattle, and your Sophie the Giraffe are much more fun now that you can grasp things quite well. You don't always reach for things when they're in front of you, but you're starting to do it more and more. You are also —just— starting to laugh and giggle. It erupts every once in a while and it makes my heart explode with joy. I can't wait until you're doing it more often. I also can't wait for you to reach out your arms when I go to pick you up.

It was this time last year that your Daddy and I found out we were pregnant with you. On the morning of Christmas Eve I was feeling pretty sick. And I didn't think anything of it, but your Daddy has a pretty keen sense about things. So he went out to buy a pregnancy test. I snuck upstairs to take it while I was making pizzelles with your Grandma. And sure enough, it came up positive. I texted your Daddy a photo of the test and waited for what seemed like FOREVER for him to look at his phone as I continued to make pizzelles and he watched football. And when he saw it, we smiled at each other with tears in our eyes. You are the best Christmas present we've ever been given.

When I was at my conference, I sat behind a woman who was watching her 20-something son DJ on stage for the first time. Her face was lit up with so much love and pride. And I sat there with tears streaming down my face thinking of you, and how someday you will be making me that proud. In fact, Hank, you already do.

Love you forever, Mama

P.S. Since we were in New York City this month, I really wanted to take your 4 month picture by the Statue of Liberty. We tried, oh did we try! But it was foggy, the statue was backlit, and you were asleep. So instead I photoshopped this picture of you in front of the statue. I promise someday we'll actually take you there. :)

Dear Hank — three months

Dear Hank:

Every day I say a silent thank you to the Universe for allowing me the honor of being your mother. You are the most happy-go-lucky, laid back little guy, and your happiness is infectious.

It's been a busy month for you.

You started sleeping in our bed after we couldn't get you to stay asleep anywhere else. We tried everything! But I think you just wanted to be close to Mommy and Daddy, so we listened. A few weeks later, we started putting you to sleep in your swing again and you started sleeping through the night finally — from 10 PM til 6 AM. Now, your bedtime routine goes like this:

1. You have bath-time with Daddy.
2. Daddy puts you into your PJs and brings you to Mommy.
3. We read a book or two (or three).
4. Mommy nurses you.
5. Daddy swaddles you, puts you in your swing, sets it to high speed, and then turns on your white noise machine.

Usually within a few minutes you are fast asleep with no fussing. I love watching your eyelids as you drift off to sleep. You look so peaceful and serene that I think you must have some inkling how much you are loved. Every night I reflect on how much your little eyes have seen, and how you are processing and storing all of that new information.

You also started grabbing objects and rolling over, both in the same day! You must have eaten your Superman breakfast that morning. You can grab toys and shake them, and can roll from front to back. You have had freakishly good neck and upper body strength since the day you were born, so we weren't surprised that you started rolling early. You also have found your hands and feet. It's fun to watch you look at them and marvel when they touch and move things. Last night during bath-time, I watched you use your foot to move the washcloth around in the water. I could almost see the gears turning in your head as you realized you were making that happen. :)

You smile and coo all the time, and you also do some pretty funny grunting and yelling. I don't know what you are saying yet, but you make me and your Daddy laugh a lot with your dinosaur noises. You also get upset and fussy sometimes. Calming you down usually involves a pacifier and bouncing or jiggling with you. You also like when I sing to you. Our favorites are: You Are My Sunshine, Forever Young (by Bob Dylan), and Hush Little Baby.

At your well-visit with the doctor, we found out you are in the 6th percentile for weight, the 33rd percentile for height, and the 77th percentile for head size. So you're a little dude, kinda tall, with a big head! We love your big head and have read that it is likely to make you photogenic. Maybe the next George Clooney?

These are a few of my favorite things that you do:

• grab your ears when you're eating because you are so excited
• kick your legs and splash in the bath tub
• get really quiet and still when I brush your hair
• stretch your arms out like Superman
• nuzzle my neck after you're done eating
• smile at me while I'm changing your diaper and dressing you

When I think you are growing up too fast, I remember the time when you were so little that you had trouble eating and had to go to the hospital. It reminds me to be thankful that you are growing as fast as you are. I want to savor every moment I have with you, but my biggest priority in life is making sure you grow up big — physically and mentally.

I am so glad that we stuck through our issues with breastfeeding. We had a lot of trouble there in the beginning, but now feeding you is easy. In the beginning neither of us knew what we were doing. But now we're both old pros at it. I used to get nervous feeding you around other people or out in public, but eventually I decided that there was nothing more natural in the world than a Mama feeding her baby, and we just do what we need to do when we need to do it. You, my tiny boy, have taught me to feel less ashamed of my body. If my body gave me you, then it's worthy of my love and admiration.

So many firsts this month, and so many more to come.

I love you, my baby boy, Mama

Dear Hank — two months

Dear Hank:

You're lying here beside me as I write this, sleeping peacefully and looking so adorable. I fall more in love with you everyday. I think I must have kissed you at least a million times in these first two months. Sometimes I just can't help myself. I know that someday you might not like my kisses quite as much. :)

Your personality and your little face has blossomed over the past few weeks. You've started smiling in reaction to us, which is just... wow, it's the best thing ever. It wouldn't matter if I had nothing in the world, seeing your smile fills my heart with the most indescribable joy. I hope I never have to go too long without seeing that smile.

You are still a laid-back guy most of the time. Occasionally you can have a bit of a temper. But it's hard being a baby, and I don't blame you for getting mad once in a while. You love when I use a toy to touch your lips and say your name. It almost always brings a smile to your face. You also smile a lot when you're on your changing table. I think you like seeing our faces so close to yours.

You're sleeping better, which is just heavenly. You aren't sleeping through the night yet, but that may start happening soon. This week you're going through a growth spurt and are up every 2 hours or so. Even though I'm tired, I like knowing that you're growing into a big boy. You finally started to fit your 0-3 month clothing a couple of weeks ago.

Reflux was making you miserable for a while, but we finally found a medicine that makes you feel better. You're back to being our happy little guy and not screaming in pain at night. I hated hearing you in pain and would have done anything to help you feel better. Dr. Collison is your doctor and he helped us figure out what was bothering you. We also discovered you are sensitive to dairy and corn, which means I have to give those things up for a while. You are the only person in the world I would happily give up cheese for!

We've done some traveling this month: to your Nana and Papa's house for a "Meet Baby Hank" party with your Mama's family, and you danced at your first wedding in Maryland when your Aunt Christie and Uncle Jamie got married. You generally like car rides and will either sleep or look contentedly out the window. This coming weekend we'll be traveling to Edinboro, PA so your Daddy's family can all celebrate your arrival as well!

I think the happiest part of your day is bath time, which is Daddy's specialty. He fills the tub up with warm water all the way to the top every night. You make the cutest surprised face when he puts you in. You stay in there for 20-30 minutes and just kick your legs around the whole time with a happy face on. We think you will be a good swimmer next year.

Now that fall is here, I find myself so excited to start sharing the seasons and holiday traditions with you. You make everything feel more special and exciting because we get to share it with you.

*forehead kiss*

I love you, my little one, Mama

Dear Hank - one month

One month ago I gave birth to the most handsome and sweet little boy. We named him Hank. Before he was even born I decided I wanted to steal an idea from Emily over at The Culinary Couple. Emily writes a letter to her son Sam every month on the anniversary of his birth. I'd like to do the same for Hank.

We've setup a gmail account and I'll be sending his letters there. I'd also like to share them here so his family and friends can follow along.

Without further ado, here's my one-month letter to Hank.

. . .

Dear Hank:

I can't believe you are one month old. It feels like you've been here for only the blink of an eye. At the same time it feels like you've been here all along.

You were born on 8-8-12 at 9:02 in the morning via cesarean at Mount Nittany Medical Center. You weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. I was induced the day before at 37 weeks gestation and labored throughout the night. I made it to 10 cm dilation and even got to push for 15 minutes. But your heart rate was dropping during contractions, and the doctor didn't want to take any chances. So she recommended we do a c-section. Your Dad and Aunt Stacey looked kinda scared as they prepped me for surgery, but I wasn't scared. I knew in my heart that you and I would both be okay.

I waited anxiously as they worked to bring you out, and your Daddy stayed at my head. He had tears in his eyes and told me he was so proud of me. I knew that he would be the first of the two of us to see you, so he had my big fancy camera with him. When you were out, I heard you cry, and in that moment I fell in love with you. I didn't even need to see you. Your cry was like nothing I had ever heard before. It was like I already knew you.

Your Dad got to cut the umbilical cord and watch as they cleaned you up. He took some pictures of you and brought the camera back to show me what you looked like. We both cried as I looked at you. You were as cute as a button, even with your cry face on.

Then they let Daddy bring you over to see me before going back to the nursery. I could barely see your face through all the blankets. I longed to hold you, but knew I'd have to wait an hour or so before that would happen. We both had to get cleaned up a bit before we would be reunited. But your Daddy stayed with you the whole time.

Feeding you has been an adventure. You were such a little guy that you had a hard time breastfeeding at first. You were great at latching on, but just couldn't get enough food because you weren't quite strong enough. We even ended up back in the hospital so you could get an IV to help make you strong again. It took 3 tries for them to get an IV going on you because you were so tiny, but you were a brave boy throughout all of it.

After we left the hospital (the second time), feeding you was a long process that involved nursing for 30-45 minutes, supplementing through a supplemental tube system or a bottle, and then Mommy pumped milk for you for another 20-30 minutes. We would do all of this every 2-3 hours, and it took about 90 minutes to do all of it. So Mommy and Daddy were pretty exhausted, but we knew it wasn't going to last forever… just until you were strong enough to nurse all on your own.

Your Daddy and I both love you so much. We spend a lot of time just looking at you. We laugh at the faces you make and the things you do. You make what I call your "lawyer face" a lot… your lips purse tightly and your eyebrows raise and it looks like you are silently judging everyone. You also make smiley faces a lot. Whether it's gas or a real smile, we're not sure — but it's cute either way. You have the longest fingers and toes. You often stick your legs out straight while you're eating and curl your toes under. I find it so adorable. You grab onto us when you're being fed or cuddled, and you even pull your Daddy's chest hair when you're upset. It makes him scream but then he laughs at you. You already entertain us, and you're not even talking or moving yet.

Your sister Sophie loves you very much, too. She watches over you and protects you. She always checks the bassinet to see if you are in it, and sniffs you while you are sleeping. She gets anxious when you cry, though she is getting used to the sound of it. If we let her, she'd lick your face and hands all the time, but we only let her get in a few licks now and then. You don't seem to mind. She's just biding her time until you start eating solid foods and can sneak her treats under the table like Nana and Opa do.

We named you Hank because it was a name that your Daddy and I both loved, even before we were married. We love that your name is a name you can grow into someday.You do have quite a few nicknames already including:

• Mr. Hank (pronounced "Midder Hank")
• Puju
• Bugaboo/Rugaboo
• the bean
• little nugget
• burrito boy (when you're in your swaddle)
• Mister Hankles

You look just like your Daddy and Opa Sollman. One of our friends even said, "It looks like somebody left Rick in the dryer too long!" and that about sums it up. In fact, we had other plans for your middle name, but you looked so much like Daddy and Opa that we decided to name you Richard after them.

You also act just like your Daddy. You are really laid back and happy most of the time. When you get upset, it's usually for a good reason. It takes you a good while to wake up from a nap (just like Daddy in the morning). You also make man-sized farts and burps that truly rival your Daddy's. It makes him proud, and I just shake my head.

Our first month together hasn't always been easy, but we wouldn't change it for anything. The rough spots have helped our little family bond. We're in this together. And the sweet spots... well, life just doesn't get any sweeter than it is right now. Even when we're sleep-deprived and exhausted and smelly from not having time to shower and our house is a wreck — we are so happy. We can't believe how lucky we are to be your parents.

Love you so much, Mommy

hospital photos taken by your Daddy Sophie photo taken by your Aunt Christie one month photo taken by Mommy