32 weeks: May

Dear Patrick,

Yesterday, on your 8 month birthday, we drove home from spending two days at Pawley's Island.  It was the first time you saw the ocean, felt sand between your toes or tasted salt water, and it was wonderful.  It was also a little unsettling because everywhere I looked there was "danger" for my little boy: waves to push you around, sharp shells in the sand, big dogs running through the surf, the hot blistering sun...

Today is Memorial Day, which offers the occasion to not only take a special Monday morning walk together, but also to reflect a bit on the past.  I thought about all the families who raised children, protected them and then watched them go to war.  How difficult for a parent to "let go" - to let your child walk into potential danger.  And I'm sure it never gets easier - at 8 months or 18 or 80.  I will spend the majority of my life keeping you safe and happy.  Forever.

• You have two bottom teeth coming in -- right in the middle of your mouth. You seem to bite down more than usual this month, making that bulldog face with your bottom lip out.
• I think you can wave good-bye.  Your Grammy swore you were doing it earlier but I didn’t believe her until this morning when I was leaving and your little arm shook up and down.  So maybe...?
• If we ever get the ability to travel back in time, here is a tip for when you are crying: sing “I want to be like you” from the Jungle Book.  Or flip you over to your stomach to nap.  Any issue you have right now is solved by monkeys or sleep.  
• On Monday 5/2, Matt Lauer commented on the “Today Show” that people will remember where they were when the world found out that Osama Bin Laden was killed.  You were in your highchair in the living room, eating wheat cereal and applesauce for breakfast.  I just thought you’d like to know that.
• Before I hold you, I’ve started pulling on my old Wofford sweatshirt so we can hug without worry of spit-up.  I hug you so much that people are beginning to ask if I wear anything else.  And did I mention that its May in the South?
• We’ve called in a prescription of Prilosec for your spit-up.  Fingers crossed we will all be a little dryer this month.  
• You love Cooper. Absolutely. Love. Cooper.
• Now that we have the video monitor hooked up in your room, your Dad and I often watch “Patrick TV” (or PTV), which consists of you turning your head left and then right and then left and then right in order to fall asleep.  Sometimes you turn yourself in circles, pivoting around and around like the hands on a clock. Its riveting - the best show on television.  I can’t get enough.
• The straps on your car-seat have been moved up to the next (and last) ring!  Such a big boy!
• On mother’s day, I turned on “PTV” and saw Baker the cat sitting in your crib with you.
• You are getting too big for your blue, baby bath tub.  
• We are starting a few words of sign language this month. Funny that the sign for "parent" and "slave" are the same.
• Over Memorial Day weekend, we went to the beach with Grammy, Biggie, cousins, aunts, uncles and your great-grand parents - you were the center of attention. It is probably because you are so cuddly and sweet - or it could have been the sunscreen hat I made for you, painting your head bright white. A gleaming white center of attention.  
• You love when we cover and uncover your mouth to help you make a "ooohhooohhh" noise - like a little Indian on the the war-path.
• Your grandfather Neil turned 70 this month.
• You still pound tables and toys like a mad-man but its now also fun to see you, on occasion, carefully study a button on your father's shirt with a single deliberate finger.
• You take only two naps now: 10:00am - 12:00pm and then 3:00 - 5:00pm.
• You favorite books are: Peekaboo, Mommy Loves, The Farm, Colors and What to do with the Boo-Hoo Baby.  You can actually turn the pages yourself although you prefer if we do it for you. You also prefer if we hold your bottle for you too. I think its so you have your hands free to sign "parent" and remind us who works for who in this house.  

Patrick, I love being your parent, slave, danger-scouter, mom. With all my love.