Dear Junie B. Hair Cut

Guess who got her first hair cut? 

You have a lot of hair, pumpkin, and it was getting all NUTS. When I tried to snip just the hair that was always hanging in your face you moved and it turned out badly. And then of course I had nightmares of jamming your eyes with scissors because you're such a squirmy little rascal. So - best to leave these things to professionals is what I always say. Your mother is nothing if not resourceful. 

You would have done really well had it not been for your dreadlocks in the back. I tried as best I could to comb them all out before we went but there were a few I just couldn't get and so when Brandi combed them out you cried. Big, fat tears. 

If you would just stop letting them dread your hair at your Rastafarian gatherings, we wouldn't have to deal with this kind of stuff, you know? 

8 teeth in 8 months

Dear June,

Guess who just got her 8th tooth?

Seriously, are you trying to break records?

We just got back from a night over at Liz and Ryan's and Liz said, "This kid's going to be an early talker." Why? Because you were completely determined to either make yourself a part of the conversation or drown out everyone else's voices completely.

BAAA BAAAAABBBBAAABBAAAA BBBBAAAAAAABABABABAAAABBAABAAAAH!

It was awesome in every way. YOU are awesome in every way.

You are very into eating right now and there doesn't seem to be anything you won't eat. Paper, of course; the old standby. You eat oatmeal and all kinds of fruit, beans, crackers and tonight you had a sweet potato french fry. You approved.

You're kind of squirrelly, though, in that you pack stuff away in those giant cheeks (for later, I guess). This morning I gave you blueberries and an hour later you were leaving a trail of blueberry skins all over the house.

I am SO excited to celebrate your first Christmas with you. Sometimes if I think too hard about these kinds of things I just start crying. You'll only have ONE first Christmas, you know? This is IT. But then I try and make myself snap out of it. Life is for living and enjoying and too much ruminating can make things seem too heavy.

I love you, my sweetest little sweet pumpkin. I love you every second of every day. Even when you're scratching the hell out of my chest while you're nursing. Even when you scream bloody murder (especially then, in fact) in the car at night (you hate it - why?). You'll never have to wonder if you're loved, Juniper Bean. Isn't that a good feeling?



Smooches and smooches and more smooches until the end of time,

Mama

(Sometimes when I post pictures like that I try and think of you and Zoe all grown up looking at it and thinking, "SHE LOOKS SO YOUNG!" and that is such a weird thought.)