17 weeks

Goose,

For the past three days you have been living in a diaper due to a heat wave and you couldn't be happier. I love your naked body of perfection, every wrinkle a masterpiece with skin silky smooth. You had many visitors this weekend including Aunt Kelly Ann, Aunt Kelly, Pawel, and a dinner party with your cousins from Australia and Opa's family. All of which saw you naked. You might be embarrassed by this later in life but you are far too gorgeous, like David you owe it to others to wander around in the buff. Besides, by the time you are embarrassed they will have forgotten what you looked like.

You are doing very well with your cereal. You open your mouth wide, get a mouth full of cereal, then shove your fist in as a dessert. Usually, you get it all over yourself and me while you're at it then its straight to the bath. You still love bath time but I think it is more of the process leading up to bath time that you love. As soon as I walk into the bathroom you start smiling at yourself in the mirror. You get all excited and squirmy just to sit in the water and suck on a washcloth. Then I give you a little massage with some lotion and you're all smiles every time. All I have to do is rub my hands together and your grinning. I am very brave to sit in front of you while you're naked but we have an agreement. You have only peed on me twice and I blame Oma for squeezing your belly to much. I am still terrified to give you a bath by myself. I am sure that I could if I tried but you are so slippery. Its all hands on deck especially now that you are lunging for the floating crab, alligator, or octopus bath toys.

You have discovered your feet! You stare at your toes mesmerized by their movement. Then you bend in half and try to get them. Once you grab onto your big toe or your socks you just sit there. Its hysterical. Rebecca claims you have even got your feet into your mouth but I don't believe it until I see it. (Jen - do you notice the shirt in the picture? Fits great!!) I am waiting for you to roll over but rather then exert the effort you whine a little and at least three people come running to help flip you. You would rather be sitting or standing so you can look around, be nosey and take everything in.

Last night we were all holed up in the AC with you being the center of attention. As I observed all of our smiling faces it dawned on me how incredibly proud I am of our family. We might not have much, you and I, but we are surrounded by love. I am so proud that everyone has reached out to us with open arms. Proud to be part of this semi-dysfunctional unit that ignores our faults, praises our successes, and is laughing every step of the way. You became the glue that has woven us closer as a family. I hope that my pride will filter down to you and one day you can be proud of the village that raised you. There are not many families that can say they enjoy being around one another. I am blessed to say that I love spending time with my family, immediate and extended.

I love you everyday.
Mama