Monthly Newsletter #8

My dearest Gabriel,

Eight months old already! You are such a big boy these days. I look back at pictures of my wee baby boy and wonder where he got off to? You're eight months old and wearing 3T clothes--I guess I'll be shopping at the big and tall store for you soon.

You are very, I repeat, very busy these days. You have mastered crawling and you are not practicing cruising (no, not for chicks..that comes later, much later). You pull up on any available surface and last night you started working your way around the perimeter of the coffee table. I suspect you may be an early walker. Nonetheless, gone are the day of putting you in the exersaucer or jumperoo. You want nothing to do with anything that requires you to be stationary. If you are half as ardent with your endeavors in life as you are in practicing your newly discovered passion for mobility, then I know you wll be a huge success.

You're also so darn cute these days. Those four toofers greet us with a big smile from time to time and make us forget all our worries. You love to initiate funny faces and sounds and then reward us with a big belly laugh. Your father and I love to hear the sound of your giggling more than anything else in the world.

You've grown very attached to your Mommy and Daddy in the last week. I think you are entering a major attachment phase in your young life and you aren't happy if one of your caregivers walks out of the room. We're doing our best to reassure you and to let you know that you are forever linked to us in ways that go beyond words and comprehension.

You are the greatest joy I have ever known. It is a privilege watching you grow into a boy. I pray you will be sensitive and kind, always happy and content with yourself and those who love you most.

With Love,
Mama