Dear Pumpkin – 11 months

Sweet girl,
You are 11 months old, and I can’t believe it! You’re already growing up too fast for my liking, but I am so thankful to get to watch it happen.

You are walking around like crazy, and like to try to run away when someone comes after you on your way to something you’re not supposed to have. You give a little scream & pick up the pace with a huge grin on your face!

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"

You have four teeth now, with the cutest little gap in between the top two. You’ve been such a trooper with those teeth moving in!!

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"pumpkin11months-25_web

You’re a curious little thing and love to sit inside a small plastic bin to play. You’re starting to make animal noises when asked, and right now you make a monkey noise & a tiger – which usually comes out as a whispered roar. So cute!!! (And a welcome change of pitch/volume from the screaming you still do allllll the time!) You’ve also started to give real hugs and it just melts me. Especially when you reach over to hug your sister. After all the love, hugs & kisses Peanut has given you (sometimes a little too much), it makes my heart swell to watch you start hugging her too.

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"

You like to be on the move, so photos are getting to be more and more of a workout for me!

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"

You had been doing really well with using the baby hand language sign for “more” until recently – then you made the switch back to just screaming. I’m praying the little hand sign makes its return soon!

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"

You like to point at things, and are starting to be able to point out people when we ask you where they are. You love to dance, and like to play outside. You love to eat avocados & sliced chicken (deli meat style). You also love to drag around blankets, towels, fabric – anything like that. And Little One, you walking around with a blanket trailing behind you makes me think of Linus from the Peanuts cartoon, and I can only hope you have a faith like his!

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"pumpkin11months-27_webHouston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"

Your Oma had to help me wrangle you during this shoot (you can see her hand on the bottom right), and my goodness, Little One, you sure do love her! (And so do I!)

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"

I just love this one…. the little wisp of hair behind your ear & your little hands on that poor sticker that never had a chance. For some reason this just seems so fitting for this stage you’re in, sweet girl.

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"

(Bows & headbands also don’t stand a chance these days…. but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try for photos!)

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"

Pumpkin, you challenge me everyday, and while sometimes it leaves me tired, it also leaves me so so so thankful. Feeling you wrap your arms around my neck reminds me that the struggles are worth it, and that I want to do everything I can to be the very best mama for you.

Houston photographer letter to her 11 month old daughter, "Pumpkin"

I love you to the moon & back, sweet girl!!

 

Dear Pumpkin – 10 months

Sweet girl,

You’re 10 months old, this post is a little late going up, and I completely missed your 9 month letter. Between you deciding to grow up really fast all of a sudden & us moving to Houston, that 9 month letter got lost in the mix, but my girl, I am so in love with you!

You have been such a trooper through the move, and although I know you don’t really understand the difference, you’ve been so good about being in a different house with a different routine. You’re still even sleeping really well (minus a nap here or there) despite the fact that your crib is still in our old house and you’ve been in the pack-n-play.

Your bottom two teeth are in, and you’ve allllllmost got matching ones on the top. I think they’ll break through any day now. And even though I know they must be hurting you, you’re still just as smiley as ever.

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

You love to scream still, and have gotten very curious. You love to tear up the magazines at Oma & Pops’ house & try to hurry into the bathroom or your sister’s room any chance you get.

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

Your little voice is so cute & the sounds you make almost sound like you’re trying to yodel. It cracks us up a lot & makes me anxious to hear you call me mama, but it also makes me wish that time would stand still because I know you won’t be making that sound forever.

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

You’re doing good with trying new foods, although you make it pretty clear you aren’t a fan of any kind of chicken, noodle, rice chunks in your baby food. You like watermelon, sweet potatoes, avocado & bananas.

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

One of the biggest things is that you’re walking soooo well! You’re practically running now. I think we must have cheered for you a lot at the beginning because you tend to clap your hands whenever you’ve walked a good distance. Keep that, sweet girl. Work hard & don’t get over-confident, but I hope you always praise yourself when praise is due.

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

Of course our little month stickers don’t really stand a chance anymore with you… I’ve got to be pretty quick to get any shots of them actually on your tummy!

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

You crack yourself up now, and that little laugh is just too cute, Pumpkin. It’s such a fun stage when I get to see you starting to pick up on other’s reactions and how my laughter often leads to more giggles from you.

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

You absolutely love this little ladybug, and you also love to grab a hold of Winston’s fur & walk around with him. Bless his heart, he is so patient with you! Walking with him like that always makes you scream & laugh, and it looks like you think you’re riding a chariot around the house.

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

I’ve gotta get creative with those stickers! But you gave me a rare moment of stillness to snap this next one.

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months oldHouston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

My little sunshine girl, thank you as always for the joy you bring into our lives. You’ve made Peanut the best big sister, and I’ve been loving watching you two interact more and more. She loves you to pieces, and I hope you grow up to know and appreciate how fortunate you are to have a big sister who loves you so much.

Thank you for letting me be your mama. I love you, Pumpkin!

Houston photographer image of daughter Pumpkin for letter to her at 10 months old

Dear Pumpkin – 8 months

Sweet girl,

You’re eight months old! WHAT?!? (And since I’m finally getting around to posting this, you’re almost 9 months old! But I’m going with my word of the year & giving myself grace on this one!)

Houston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letter

You are still my little Sunshine girl – almost always happy!! Unless you don’t get what you want or your sister is hugging or kissing you too much. Then you definitely make sure we hear about it. I don’t think I’m going to have to worry about you standing up for yourself, little one, and that makes me happy.

You’re constantly on the move and have figured out how to climb over the toy bins we put in the way to try to block you into the couch area.

Houston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letter

You love to eat & there hasn’t really been anything that you haven’t liked so far. You’ve recently decided that you don’t like to have your diaper changed or your clothes changed, so we have to give you toys on the changing pad to keep you distracted, so this next image looks pretty familiar!

Houston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letter

You’ve started sitting up with your feet kicked back by the sides of your bottom, and when you get excited you’ll bounce up and down like that. It’s like the joy just radiates out of you, and I have to say that’s one of my favorite habits of yours!

Houston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letter

You still crack me up daily with your facial expressions or the noises you’ll make. You have gotten pretty good at repeating certain sounds back to me, with “ma” & “bop/bob” being your favorites.

Houston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letter

You also started playing peek-a-boo which is so much fun! You love to grab a toy, your blanket, or your clothes (especially when getting your diaper changed), and pull them over your face. The dimpled grin & little giggles I get when you throw your arms down away from your face and I say “peek-a-boo!” are the best.

Houston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letter

As you turned 8 months, you still don’t have any teeth yet, but we know they’re on the way soon since you are constantly chewing those little fingers of yours!

Houston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letterHouston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letter

Pumpkin, I love you so so so so much sweet girl. I am so thankful that I get to be your mama and watch you learn and grow each and every day. You’re a blessing for our family and I couldn’t imagine life without you! Thank you for the laughter and joy you bring me, and thank you for making my heart even bigger than I ever thought possible.

Houston photographer images of daughter Pumpkin at 8 months old for Dear Pumpkin letter

I love you to the moon & back!!