Dearest Derek,
It has been a couple of months since Nana wrote in this diary. So much has happened!
Nana and Papa went to the Caribbean for a cruise on a very big boat. That's because Nana's classmates decided it would be fun to celebrate the 45th anniversary of their graduation from high school with more than just a dinner and a dance. We saw some beautiful tropical islands, with flowers and sharks and turtles. There was lots of white sand to play in, and the water was salty and clear and very, very blue. We had a lot of fun, Derek, but we missed you!
Before we left, you were already crawling and pulling yourself to a standing position, pushing a little ottoman (That is a piece of furniture that you can put your feet up on, or sit on, too) on the tile floor to get from where you were to where you wanted to go.
When we got back, you were taking steps while Papa or Nana or Mom or Dad were holding your hands, and you were so excited. And in such a hurry to move faster!
One week later, we went to see you, and you were standing by yourself. Your Mom told us you had taken one step without holding on to anything the day before! Sure enough, you took one for us, too, to show us your new skills. And you smiled. You were so proud of yourself.
The next week, you took two steps before sitting down. It was very cute the way you were doing this, too, because you were sitting down very slowly and carefully. That shows you were developing the necessary strength in your muscles to not only hold yourself in a standing position, but also to step forward and to sit down on the floor without falling. You were trying to develop your balance.
Then you took three steps, and we knew you would soon have walking figured out. You just needed to build up your confidence.
And now, here you are, ten months old, walking across the room with your arms out, giggling and smiling and so pleased with your skills. This video clip was taken by your Mamma. You have four teeth on the top and four teeth on the bottom. You like to show them to people, maybe, if they ask. It's part of your charm that you "choose your moments" rather than letting others choose them for you. You are not a performer. You are your own person, a real boy with a mind of your own, and you are learning to make important decisions for and about yourself.
Last Friday, you walked to me gingerly but eagerly. It was very exciting to see you do that, Derek. Now you are going to be able to scamper about hither and yon (that means "here and there"). And you still crawl, too, when you don't trust your steps and balance to get you where you want to go quickly enough. You are a very speedy crawler! Crawling is important for developing "eye/hand" coordination.
You love your Papa, and it is so very sweet to see you playing with his beard. I am sure he will not shave it off until you have decided not to play with it anymore. You also like putting your fingers in his mouth. You have very sharp fingernails, Derek. And you keep trying to grab his glasses. You like shiny things, like Nana's earrings. I don't blame you. I like them, too. Papa likes to communicate with you in creative ways. For instance, he likes to look at you and pant like a dog. You think that was the funniest thing, and you smile with your whole face and bright eyes. And do you know what you did this time? You started panting like a dog, too! It was the cutest thing ever.
I am so glad that you don't cry when you see me anymore. You smile and hold out your arms to me. That is so much better. And you also gave me a hug! You know just what to do to fill up your Nana's heart with tender feelings. Wow.
And that was your first word, your mom told me! She said "Wow!" And you said "Wow!" That is a very unusual word for a baby to say first, but you aren't just an average baby, Derek. Not at all. "Wow" means "wonder of wonders," and that's just what you are to me, sweet one.
I love you so much,
Nana
