Girlfriend, you amaze me! It's been a tough month around here with countless bouts of sickness and tears a'plenty by all four of us, but you've been such a strong little thing. You're currently battling a thick, yucky cold that has been lingering for days, but you'd never be able to tell it from this month's photoshoot. Your smile makes the world smile, baby girl, and I pray that you never let darkness put that light out. There is nothing worth stealing it, I promise you that.
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We've had another big, full month of making memories and having fun. Our hikes have slowed down this month since our challenge ended, but we've still been walking around the neighborhood most days. You love to stroll around, and you immediately go into chill mode as soon as I sit you down in it. Our last hike was to Rainbow Falls, and it was the toughest hike that all three of us had ever done. I was proud of myself AND of my two strong kiddos this day, and it reminded me of this truth: we can do anything through Christ who strengthens us! One step at a time, we pushed forward and went at our own pace. I tell you and your big brother this all of the time, but I'll say it again: hiking is so much more than just hiking. It teaches us lessons we might not otherwise learn, and we accomplish things together -- I hope you two never outgrow your love of these things.
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You have grown in independence SO much this month, too! You're finally getting the hang of feeding finger foods to yourself (your six teefers have helped in this area), but you still enjoy a good puree. You haven't gotten the hang of your cup yet, despite my constant efforts (insert a deep mom sigh here), but hopefully you'll come around to that soon. It's so hard for me not to compare you to your brother, but you have lived this out since your were in your first mama's belly: you will do things your way when you're ready. Lord, help us when you become a teenager. Hopefully we'll have taught you enough about grace and gratitude by then -- we shall see. LOL! Bear-crawling is still your preferred mode of transportation, but you're a professional cruiser these days, too. You let go every so often and balance with no hands for a few seconds, but you quickly grab back on or plop down. I think it'll be a while before you're walking, and I don't mind a bit -- life will get even craaazier once you're on the move, so take your time, sweet thing. Hehe!
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A sad thing happened a few weeks ago. Most of the world thought I was crazy to even embark on this journey, but I won't lie: I cried my eyes out when we gave it up. Baby girl, I sold your cloth diapers. Insert tearful quivering here. It didn't matter how I washed them, soaked them, etc., your little booty just didn't tolerate them. I tried EVERYTHING (because I hate giving up on ANYTHING), but I was sick of buying disposable diapers every other week. So, now, most of your cloth stash has been sold and the money from it is tucked away in an envelope to be used for buying diapers for however long it lasts. I miss your fluffy booty, but I'm so thankful that your sensitive skin is no longer breaking out and blistering -- man, that was the worst. That makes two things I've had to give up because it just wasn't working, which also means that makes two things I've had to give myself grace on. But baby girl, it's all good.
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We've got another big month ahead of us, the most significant thing being that you will be ONE YEAR OLD the next time I write to you. I can't believe it. Seriously! This year has FLOWN by, and I know that the years will keep moving fast. Your birthday invitations have been mailed, and I'm party planning like a boss. We've got big plans to celebrate you to the fullest, just like you deserve, and we're keeping our pay-it-forward tradition alive in honor of your big day (don't worry, more on that later). This weekend we'll take family pictures, next week we'll reveal our Halloween costumes to the world, in two weekends we'll take a quick road trip to a new part of the country we've never been to before, and then your big day will be here. Lots of adventuring mixed with enough pajama days to balance it all out -- that's what dreams are made of, little one.
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We love you so big, Bethany Victoria! You have changed our world in the best way, and we're so grateful God gave us you.
