Likes and Dislikes at 10 Months of Age

Dear Ayden,

Can you believe it!? You're 10 months old already!! I definitely cannot get it through my head that you're already so big...I swear I just had you yesterday! You were 6 and a half pounds, teensy tiny, your whole body fit in one of my arms. Now you're 16 pounds and climbing and crawling and already trying to walk and stand!!

Here you are, you gorgeous girl:

We took you to the Jazz game to celebrate :) You had so much fun! The noise kinda startled you at times but you loved all the lights and the distractions :)

Likes:

You like to crawl around with your right hand in a fist and your left hand flat (we call it your "monkey fist" haha)
You like to snack
You like to play peek-a-boo and chase
You like to climb up everything!
You like when daddy comes home from work or school :)
You like when mommy and daddy laugh
You like playing with your toys and every now and then coming over and sitting in mommy's lap :)
You like your baby games on daddy's phone
You like watching little kids play
You like babies
You like going new places and seeing new things
You like to always be on the move!
You like to make mommy chase you around the house
You like to pat Meeko and climb on her
You like waking up to seeing mommy and daddy
You like your sister, Elysia :)
You like stealing grown up food haha
You like seeing the puppies Kujo has
You like riding around in the carts at the store
You like when mommy tickles you and kisses your face (daddy too!)
You like your cousins
You like chewing on straws
You like chewing on pretty much anything
You like to put anything in your mouth that mom wouldn't want you to ;)
You like pinching tiny things between your finger and thumb
You like pushing your lion walker around the house
You like climbing on the chairs under the table
You like chasing Meeko around
You like seeing your grandparents and aunts and uncles
You like to feed yourself
You like being independent and free to do whatever you want
You like when mommy gives you free reign of the house
You like playing with the baby swing
You like (LOVE) any kind of animal!
You like when daddy plays crazy games with you (flies you around, throws you up in the air, etc)
You like dancing to any kind of music, even just when someone whistles or hums :)
You like making the music play on your lion
You like noisy toys
You like most things about life, you're a very happy and loving baby :)


Dislikes:

You dislike being blocked from somewhere you want to go or something you want to get
You dislike being held too close and being restrained from moving
You dislike having your nails clipped
You dislike when mommy and daddy don't share their food
You dislike when people are being too loud
You dislike when mommy won't let you turn around in your seat in the carts at the store
You dislike being in the car seat for very long
You dislike when mommy doesn't get your food in your mouth quick enough
You dislike when mommy and daddy disagree
You dislike sitting quietly in church
You dislike when mommy leaves the room (you've gotten very anxious about that lately)
You dislike (HATE) when mommy goes outside to feed the dogs or take out the trash
You dislike missing naps, but you still handle that better than most babies!

You are the sweetest little girl in the whole world, my Ayden! We love you more than any words could ever describe!! I hope you know that :)

Love, Mommy

You're Going to be a Big Sister!

Dear Ayden,

Though you are too young to understand it now, you're going to be a sister soon! In about 4 months, you're going to have a little sister to help mommy take care of!

I often picture the kind of sister you will be...you are such a good example to me of what it means to be happy even when you're struggling with things in life and I think you'll be that good example to your sister as well. I am grateful that the two of you will be so close in age, because you'll be able to experience so many of life's great opportunities together!! I know you'll help me take care of her and you'll love her more than anything. I can just imagine it now, your little face lighting up when you see mommy walk in the room with your little baby sister. I can imagine how you'll slowly figure out that she's here to stay, that she's precious and that you need to be gentle with her. You are such a smart girl and I know you'll help her learn and grow and figure out the tough stuff in life, like how to sit or stand :) You're such a sweet little girl and I know you'll be the perfect big sister!

I hope one of your first words is your sister's name :) That would be so cute and special! I hope you two remain close throughout your whole lives. There is nothing more amazing than having a sister to go to when you need a friend. I know you will stand up for her and be her guide.

She's going to be so lucky to have you for a big sister! :)

I get sad when I think that you're not going to be able to stay with us the whole time at the hospital when I have this little baby. I know I will miss you so much! But, I am so excited for you to meet her! You don't realize it (yet, maybe you will later on when she's bigger), but your little sister kicks every time I hold you. When I feed you and you're laying on my tummy, she pushes up at you :) I know that your little sister is a special little angel that is being sent down to us by God, just as you were. The two of you have been given to each other and to mommy and daddy because we all need each other to get through whatever lies ahead of us in this life. Somehow, I feel that you and your sister are going to be exactly what the other needs. You're going to build each other up when maybe no one else can!

Your dad and I put our faith in the Lord when we decided to try for our second child and He sent your sister to us so quickly! He saved her for us. He preserved her to come to this family at the exact time that she needed to. Just as I knew that when you came to us, I know that with her. Our family was chosen to be together and your father and I couldn't feel more blessed to be given the two of you sweet girls to raise and love!! :)

I cannot wait for all of us to meet your sister! I can feel that she's excited too :) She loves hearing all of us talking and laughing together, and soon she's going to be the source of more laughter and love in our home! I hope you remember how important it is to be a good big sister, to take care of your younger siblings, they need you Ayden. Family is the most important thing in the world! Family is Forever. Remember that, do your best to love and learn with us, and you'll do just fine :)

I love you sweetheart! I know you will be an amazing big sister and I can't wait for this new adventure to start. I am so proud of you already and I know you will give me thousands more reasons to be proud :)

Love, Mommy