Giselle is 10 Months Old

Dear Giselle,

Oh no... My sweet baby girl has reached the double digits and you know what that means... You are soon to be 1 YEAR OLD.  I can't bare the thought of it just yet, so we won't talk about it.  For now, I'm going to enjoy every second of these last two months of your infancy before you become a full blown toddler. 

You brighten every day.  Every morning you wake up first (aside from Daddy) and every morning I walk into your room to see your beaming, beautiful face and to hear the sound of your precious voice tell me 'hi'. There is not a more peaceful way to start my day. How can that day not be glorious when I'm greeted by you and your sweet innocence.  You have to be one of the happiest babies around.  I know every mom says this, but you just have to be. The amount of joy and laughter you show to others is incredible and just one of the many lessons you will teach Daddy and I. I know  in my heart of hearts that you will grow to be a perpetually happy, joyful and positive person. Our hearts and home have never been filled with so much love and JOY.  Thank you for this gift.  

Here's a peek into your world at 10 months old:

• You are officially a stander.  You can really stand for as long as you wish, but only if you are holding on to something. You haven't reached the freehanded stage just yet. Whew, because that's the last step before walking.  Please be a baby for a little longer. Please...
• And now that you can stand, you can climb! Oh boy... I open the dishwasher and those chunky thighs of your suddenly find themselves on top of my dishwasher. You can also climb the stairs leading out of our living room. This used to be a safe place for me to set you down and walk away for a minute because you were 'locked' in. Not any more. Those whole house is yours to discover now. 
•  Recently when you get excited about something or even when I get on to you for something (and you think it's all a big joke) - you throw your arms out wide and wave them up and down in excitement.  It's quite funny. And hard to discipline. Oh boy. You've already got my sweet spot figured out. 
• Oskar and George have really had your attention lately. It seems you have become quite fond of them these days. And I can't say I blame you. They are with us for every diaper change, every bath, every meal and bottle and every playtime in between.  Lets just say, they don't leave our side. You have tried so hard to kiss Oskar, but he's just not ready yet. They both do let you slip in the occasional rub and tap. You are gentle - enough!
• Speaking of your love for the dogs... You have discovered how fun and funny it is to feed them! You love dropping them the occasional treat and giggling about it. If I step away and hear you laughing I know you are guilty. Stinker!
• Recently I realized I haven't taught you how to throw a ball and with in minutes, you had it down.  Until they started going under the couch and then you just intentionally threw them there. Silly girl. 
• You love watching the big kids we come in contact with. You and your sister are in a music class and you try your hardest to mimic everything they do. It's pretty sweet until they show their age and you attempt to be mischievous right along side them. 
• Bath time continues to be one of your favorite times of the day.  You pull up and start bouncing up and down in excitement every time you hear the water start. Right when I place you in the bath tub those legs start to kicking. Even if there isn't any water yet. You just love taking baths! But you hate swimming... Go figure. 
• Every day your babbling gets better and better.  You can mimic unbelievably well.  If you are in the mood, you will repeat a word we say and most of the time, its sounds just like what came our of our mouths.  I'm amazed.  
• You have 6 teeth now and at the moment you have no signs of any others popping through.  Every night after bath, you bounce up and down in excitement when it's time to brush your teeth. I've never seen a baby love brushing his/her teeth as much as you do. I sure hope you never fight me on this like sister did. 
• You are fascinated with people's eyes, nose and mouth. Always reaching and grabbing. 
• If I had to say what your favorite toy is at the moment, I would have to say it is anything musical. Musical drums, musical books, anything that sings a little tune and you are hooked. 
• We are still working on our sign language and you can sign - all done and more.  You are talking so much and so fast that I'm not sure if we should continue the signs. You don't have an interest really... You'd much rather skip that step and babble. We'll figure it out together. 
• Mimi has taught you how to make this clicking noise with your tongue and you do it all the time now.  It's pretty cute.
• You are such a great eater; I can't believe it.  You will eat anything.  The only thing you still don't like is avocado, but I sneak it into things and you eat it. I'm not even sure you have a favorite food. You really seem to enjoy most things. But I will say, you always eat your meat first. You love your protein like mommy!  You eat finger foods only like a full blown toddler - 3 times a day and 1 afternoon snack. 
• You drink 3 - 8oz bottles of formula a day and water through a sippy cup whenever you want it.  
• Sleep continues to be the same.  You sleep from 8:00pm-7:30am.  Sometimes you wake up even later and I so enjoy those mornings I get to sleep in.  I realize every day how lucky I am to have a baby who is such a good sleeper.  Your nap schedule is the same as well.  Your morning nap is about 2 hours and your afternoon nap is about an hour and sometimes only 30 minutes.  
• You are still in size 12-18  month or 12 month clothes and size 4 diapers.  

Thank you for making every day count. 

You are the best thing that ever happened to us,

Mommy, Daddy and Emeline

(Oskar and George too)

Giselle is Nine Months Old

Dear Giselle,

Giselle Laine Simpson, my are you ever loved and cherished sweet girl. Everyone who meets you just falls in love with that sweet cackle and deep giggle of yours. Your eyes melt me and when our eyes meet and I give you a look, you just get me and give me that hilarious cackle of yours. That laugh just seems to melt the woes of the world away and forces me to focus on the blessings right in front of me. You are one of my biggest blessings and always will be. 

I love everything about you, but something I love most is your tenacity for life. You enter a challenge and face it head on. This trait will take you so far in life and I promise to always encourage and foster this characteristic of yours. I believe it will make you someone very special. That plus the way you light up the lives around you with your silliness and your smile. You sure make your mommy and daddy beam.

Here is a peek into your world at 9 months old:

• We have a little game you and I. Or rather you have a game you play with me. You love getting into the dog bowls and I immediately tell you no, no, no. You listen, get super excited, back away for a second, give me that look and dive right back in for some more fun. And repeat. It's silly and we both get a chuckle, but my point is, you understand the word 'no' and you do actually listen to me. Hooray! Can you please be a better listener than your sister?? 
• I've really been amazed at what you understand lately. You are really growing up. I can tell you to come here, follow me to another room, hand me a certain toy, etc. and you listen and follow instructions. I think and hope you will aim to please when you are older. Right now, I'm feeling like your listening skills are superb!
• You stopped pulling up on your crib and since we moved, there aren't a ton of things for you to pull up onto until the furniture arrives, but you are pulling up and getting onto your knees which is promising. You still love to be held and I hold you every second I can, so I may be holding you back a bit, but I'm okay with it. I just want you to stay little. Your sister is so focused on being a big girl that I just want my baby to be a baby. That okay with you?
• You are now starting to wave, but you are very particular to who you wave at. Meaning you never do it on command. Just when you fancy saying hello or good-bye to someone.
• You got your second top tooth this month, making that four teeth total. And now you have this adorable gap between your teeth that I just love so much. It melts me too. 
• You give the best hugs. I mean they are really hugs even with a nice pat on the back at the end. Mommy squeezes you and give you pats on the back for comfort and now, you do it right back to me. Sometimes I think it's also your way of letting me know you need that extra comforting pat on the back. 
• You love making noises with your mouth and can do them on command. You kiss and click your tongue every time I ask you. Although when we kiss, you still give out the slobbery ones. Sister doesn't appreciate them so much, but I sure do!
• You really love toys these days and we are having so much fun playing together with Emeline. You even love dress up and get a kick out of seeing yourself in the mirror dressed up. I think you are going to be a total girly-girl too! You love playing with the activity cube, a musical make-up mirror, love story-time (but you are super wiggly), crashing tea parties, swinging outside, eating sister's play food, banging on the drum, eating books and talking on the phone. 
• Speaking of talking, you are babbling so much lately! Based on your lack of sleep, I think you are about to hit another speech and physical milestone. You should be pulling up soon (again since you regressed) and I'm sure you will add some words to your, 'mama', 'dada', 'hi', 'hey' (in a deep voice), 'okay', 'yes' vocabulary. 
• That reminds me... Now when we are getting ready to eat, I'll ask you if you would like something and if the answer is yes, you get so excited and shake your head up and down saying emphatically, 'yes'.
• We've been working on signs, but you are still just signing 'more' and that's totally okay. Sometimes you get so excited that your more is more of a waving your hangs together and we all giggle because you look so silly doing so. 
• Exploring - that is definitely your favorite activity these days.  You never sit still.  There is always something new to find and discover in your world!
• You love peek-a-boo and to be scared.  We get the biggest smiles and giggles from you when we play. You also love to be 'thrown' on the bed. I never actually let go, but you love the trill of it. You also love to fall backwards on your own or by me 'pushing' you and you love to throw yourself into my and Mimi's chest. We all get the biggest kick out of it.
• You now eat finger foods only and 3 times a day.  You are very independent too.  You only want to feed yourself.  Your ability to pinch and pick up your food with your pointer finger and thumb really amazes me.  You can pick up even the smallest foods like cottage cheese.
• You continue to be a pretty good sleeper although our mornings progressively getting earlier and earlier. Momma's no morning person! You sleep from 8:00 pm - 6:00 am.
• You are still in size 12-18 month clothes and size 4 diapers.
• You weigh 21 lbs 3 oz (88%) - your weight gain started to slow after you became mobile.  I think you even lost some weight you are so active.
• Your height is 29" (88%)
• Little lady, I am so very proud of you. This month, you took swim lessons and learned if you fell into the water to kick to the surface, turn on your back and kick to the side of the pool. You can then turn, reach to the side, pull yourself up and hold on for dear life until you are rescued. We have a pool now and it was of upmost importance for me to have both of my girls safe around the water. I'm pleased to say you both are! Proud mommy right here! You showed such strength and determination while learning that I was in awe of little you and beaming with pride that you are mine. Both of you showed such intelligence and good listening skills that even the instructed was impressed by you. I couldn't be more proud. 
• You and Emeline are the very best of friends. In fact she tells me every day. And you idolize her every move. Just promise me you won't copy EVERYthing she does. She's a toddler you know and a force to be reckoned with. But she can teach you some pretty special lessons in life as she is one well mannered, polite and kind little lady. 

This month, we moved into a new home and you were a rockstar. Not once were you shaken from the stresses of moving and the change in scenery or routine. You just went with the flow of life changes and I'm so thankful. We are settled in our new life now in Austin and I know you are really happy here. As are we dear one. As are we... We are very much looking forward to raising you with so much love and happiness in our new home and introducing you to all the fun and adventure our new city has to offer. You make my heart so full Giselle Laine. 

You simply amaze us,

Mommy, Daddy and Emeline

(Oskar and George too)