10 months old

This is Howell!! I will be 10 months old on Monday. My mom and dad have been gone the last two nights. They haven't been home to tuck me in. It's cool though because my Gran-C and Grandmother Peggy were here both nights. They get the job done. And mom and dad have been there in the morning when I wake up.

Anyway, I am so close to walking. Yesterday I learned to walk while having only one of my hands held. Forget crawling. I don't think I'm gonna even bother learning that. Some people say that crawling is a crucial part of my development. I'm not worried about it though. It just seems like a complete waste of time for me (nothing against anyone who enjoys crawling). I am just so excited about figuring out how to walk on my own. There are so many places I am eager to go that mom and dad won't take me (like those holes in the wall near the floor, or any of those ropes connected to the things that light up, or the room that it rains in).

I also have recently grown some things that really make it easier to eat. And I am getting all kinds of new food! I cannot have whole milk yet, but my dad seems really excited for me to get to that point (I think mom makes them get skim).

Papa Fowler died last week. Mom and dad said he would be so excited to see Mimi. He lived for about a year after Mimi died. I never met Mimi, but mom tells me Papa loved her so much. Mom spoke at the memorial service on behalf of the grandchildren. I would have spoken on behalf of the great-grandchildren, but all I can say thus far is da-da-da-da-da-da. It is frustrating to have all of these thoughts with no way to verbalize them. If I could have spoken I would have told everyone how much I loved it when Papa held me. I would have told them how I could tell that he was an extremely strong, kind and loving man. He would whisper things to me. I believe that I brought him joy just by being in his arms. I am not sure why I did because I can't really do much yet, but he sure did make me feel loved. Mom and dad say I will see him again someday. I am glad.

I am going to go to bed now with my giraffe (that mom calls a lovie and dad does not), my bunny and my pacifier. I love my bed, but I sure do seem closer to the floor now. Come to think of it, that happened the same night I started sleeping in my pack-and-play in the guest room while dad was acting extremely frustrated in my room. That next morning I woke up in my bed a lot closer to the floor than normal. It is kinda frustrating because I was beginning to be able to see over the side.

Anway, until next time. Good night.

H