Dear Gray

Dear Gray,

The last time mommy wrote this post you were turning 9 months old. Fast - forward 2 months later (I know mommy skipped a month, but after this letter concludes you will understand why) and you are currently 11 months old. So much has happened since then. You’ve had a host of firsts. 

• You celebrated your first Christmas
• You brought in your first New Year (technically you brought it in asleep in mommy’s arms, but who is combing through the details)
• You had your first time in the church nursery
• You stayed with your first babysitters (shout out to TT Ashley and TT Jessica) while mommy and daddy went to a special event 
• Most importantly you (along with mommy and daddy) moved across the country to a new coast (West Coast), time zone (Pacific), state (California), and city (Carson). 

Here are a few other things that have occurred over the past couple of months. 

MONTH 10

PARK DATE

While still living in Georgia you got a chance to have a couple play dates with cousin Abel. TT Marshayla was able to catch this precious moment with you and I as we were on this cool swing at a park in Marietta, GA. You enjoyed it immensely. 

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON

This was your first Christmas holiday season. We did tons of things like hung with family, went to a holiday story time at the Centerville Library in Warner Robins, GA and even had a photoshoot with cousin Abel. 

NEW YEARS EVE

You entered a whole new year: 2018!!! You are getting closer and closer to 1.

LIFE IS A BEACH - VENICE BEACH & MANHATTAN BEACH

We moved across the country from Georgia to California. I love it here for you, because there is so much diversity, beautiful weather, and so many things to do and explore. Your first official California outing was at the beach, Venice Beach to be exact. We met TT Maria and her Grandma there, and walked on the boardwalk. You were even gifted some cool glasses. 

You also had a chance to visit Manhattan Beach and catch the sunset. Mommy can't wait to see you explore the sand and chilly Pacific Ocean water in the near future.

MONTH 11

BABY STORY TIME AT THE MICHELLE OBAMA IN LONG BEACH

The start of Month 11 has been a busy one. I love to take you to the library so you can have a love for reading and books like mommy does one day, so it was imperative to me that we found a place you could cultivate this cool hobby on a consistent basis (knowledge is power, never forget that). I stumbled across the most amazing library named after an extraordinary woman...our former First Lady of the United States of America, the one and only, Michelle Obama (I will tell you all about her and her amazing husband, POTUS Barack Obama at a later date, just know they were the first African American first family in the white house to occupy the title President and First Lady). Your first time at story time at the Michelle Obama Library in Long Beach, you heard cool stories, sang songs, played with toys, and even met some new friends. I can't wait to take you back this week for another amazing literary experience.

THE PACIFIC AQUARIUM OF LONG BEACH

To get acclimated to our new home I wanted to take you somewhere you've never been and we ended up at the Pacific Aquarium of Long Beach. You were very intrigued by all the tanks of fish and underwater creatures; especially the penguins and jellyfish.

ROSCOE’S

Mommy and daddy took you on your first outing to a California staple, Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles to meet up with Uncle Loren and his ChurchHome interns before he headed back to Seattle, WA. Although your uncle wanted me to let you try a piece of the waffle, you didn't get to partake in any of the Roscoe's meal this time. But trust me when I say, it was a treat :) 

CRAWLING + PULLING UP + TEETH

You've been a busy, busy boy lately as you are discovering what your growing/changing body can do. Before we left Warner Robins, GA you were "army crawling" on your belly to get around. Nowadays you still use your go - to "army crawl" to get around but more recently you've been using your hands and knees to crawl and explore every nook and cranny of our new apartment. You definitely keep mommy and daddy on our toes. You're even starting to use furniture around the house to help you stand up. I think you will be walking before we know it! 

You're also getting more teeth. You already have two pearly whites on the bottom and a third tooth is trying to peak its way through at the top. Who knows. You may have 4 by your birthday. We'll definitely keep an eye out for the citing of new teeth. 

I think that's all for this recap. Next time this month you will be the BIG O-N-E!!! I cannot believe you will have been on this earth for 365 days, but I won't get ahead of myself. I'll just enjoy the last few weeks of having an 11 - month old. In the meantime, mommy is trying to plan an awesome 1st birthday party for you, that you will get to celebrate with mommy, daddy, nana, paw-paw, grandma, grandad, and Uncle Loren and his family (and maybe a few other family and friends). I'm so excited! Until then, be brave little one. Continue to be fearless and explore. There is a whole, big world out there ready for the taking.

Xoxo,

Mommy (and Daddy)