Letters to Milo - Month 3

Milo, my love,

Three months already. Three months you have been in the world and three months the world has been better for it. You have changed so much this last month.

Mike Wazowski towel...sometimes you are a caricature of cuteness.

You are a regular pro at laughing and smiling and so many things make you happy. Squirm time, having your diaper changed, Mama and Papa's silly faces, Mama singing (horribly) to you and her goofy dancing in the kitchen while she cooks dinner, raspberries on your tummy, and being wrapped up in a towel after bathtime. Papa and I will do just about anything to make you smile and giggle...it never gets old and we just can't get enough of it. 

You are so, so strong now and very nearly have complete control over your head. You hold it up and crane your neck around constantly to try to take everything in. You are so close to being able to roll from your back to belly and your squirminess has gotten to the point that we may have to start using the seatbelt on the changing table. You love to stand and your legs are really strong. You're not too fond of sitting yet, though you are slowly beginning to figure that out. Usually you'll stiffen your legs and arch your back anytime we try to put you in the Bumpo seat. We'll get there. 

#orangmilo is thrilled to be a Champion

This month, you were the San Francsico Giants rally baby and you saw us to our third World Championship in five years. We can't wait to take you to your first game next season. #orangemilo

Cloth diaper bums are the BEST

We officially started cloth diapering this month, which I think has been one of the best decisions we've made for our family. You are SO much happier in them and you have virtually no diaper rash anymore. Plus, they couldn't be cuter. It's so nice that you don't scream as though being tortured when you have a wet diaper and when we change you anymore. You just really hated those disposables, little love. I'm glad we found something that works better for us.

Milo, Papa, and Tootles having Tummy Time

You've finally started to notice Tootles and sometimes you're quite enraptured by him. He's still unsure of you...we think he might think you're another pet so that means that he can do whatever you get to do (like hang out around the dinner table while Mama and Papa eat). We're working on that with him. He's certainly curious about you though. I'm looking forward to watching the relationship between the two of you flourish and grow. 

LOVE.

At this point, you are sleeping like a champ at night. You typically go down for the night, with very little trouble, between 8 and 9 and will sleep anywhere from 9.5 to 10 hours, usually getting up for the day between 6:30 and 7. Naps during the day are a bit more unpredictable. You will go down in the crib easily and sleep for about 45 minutes before waking up. And once you're awake, you're awake. If I hold you, though, you'll sleep for 2 hours! For awhile I felt like I needed to "fix" that, but then I just decided that since you're sleeping great at night and generally a happy and healthy kid, who does sleep when you're tired, I didn't need to "fix" anything. Not to mention, the window of you actually wanting to snuggle and sleep on my chest is so very small in the greater picture of your life, that I should (and really want to) take advantage of it and enjoy it while I can. And boy, do I. You are the sweetest little snuggler and neither one of us is more content than when we are laying on the couch together while you sleep. We're all gonna be just fine. Mama's gotta trust her instincts. ;)

It's ridiculous how quickly you have grown over the last three months. I find myself looking back at pictures and watching videos of you from your first week of life and missing that tiny newborn phase. But watching you grow and learn and being able to interact with you more has been so much fun and such a joy, for Papa and I both. We are trying our best to soak in every minute we can with you, to be present with you in the realities of each stage, and to respond to your ever-changing needs with love and grace. We know we screw up (and will only continue to screw up) but we know that if we can model grace for each other, for ourselves, and for you, you will have a much better, innate understanding of grace as you grow. We want you to know that you are always covered by it and by love. These are two of our greatest values as a family - grace and love...and silliness. If we can instill in you an understanding of the vitality of grace, love, and silliness, and the ability to resist shame, we know you'll be alright. Better than alright. We love you so much.

Your cuteness is overwhelming.

To the moon and back, baby,

Mama