Week Four: The Finley Files

Dear Finley,

Suddenly, this week you are no longer a squishy newborn. You are on your way to becoming a real live baby... Wow. It's so exciting to see you grow, to see your cheeks fill in and your legs grow longer. You would rather be awake than asleep, so every two hours after you eat, I watch you blink your heavy eyelids, fighting sleep. I know how you feel. There's just too much to see.

Two big things happened this week. First, Mommy took you out for your first real outing. You slept in your carseat the whole time--three hours! We went to Zupa's with Grandma then shopped at Target for Christmas. Nothing has made your mother feel more empowered--I'm no longer trapped at the house! I can take you out and survive. You also waited in line with me for In N'Out, and even you thought it was well worth the wait and the fuss.

It was also your first Christmas this week, and Fin, nothing has ever enhanced the holiday season quite like you have. Even doing things that you can't participate in is more fun--decorating sugar cookies with you in my arms, watching Rudolph and that queer little elf Hermie while you swing in your chair, wrapping presents and writing on the tags "from Lindsay and Finley..." It was a magical Christmas.

Christmas Eve we did a photo shoot of you in the morning when the light was perfect... Darling, you are gorgeous. We took about 200 shots, and honestly, about 150 of them are fantastic. We even got a shot of your poop face, which you did about three seconds before releasing a buttery popcorn liquid mustard seedy poop all over Grandma's bed. Bravo.

Christmas Eve night we opened your traditional Christmas Eve PJs, a red and white striped little sleeper that killed me with sweetness every time I looked at you in it. You slept like a champ Christmas Eve night, and stared at the Christmas tree lights while the rest of us opened gifts.

You sure are loved. Gigi made you the most gorgeous quilt, one that I can't wait to put on your first toddler bed. You got clothes, toys, books... And as fun as this Christmas was, I know next year will be even better. You'll be 1, and you'll be aware of it all. Cannot wait, my dear.

This week, you have:

Began to coo

Looked more and more like your dad when you sleep, but more and more like your mom when you're awake

Handed out smiles to everyone

Shown Mommy that eating every two hours suits you the best

Hung your first Christmas stocking

Been held by your aunts, uncles, and cousins

Lightened your hair a bit

Fin, it's New Year's Eve this week, time to reflect on the past year, and 2009 was a trip. It should have been the most difficult year I've had so far, but since you've arrived, my perspective has changed. Carrying you, feeling you kick every night when I was trying to sleep, trying to picture what you'd look like, whiddling down a list to two potential names, showing people my belly jump when you had the hiccups--all of those were delightful, fulfilling, rewarding... but mere child's play when compared to you, here, out of my body and in my arms. I love you, dear Finley Mae. I know 2010 is going to be a stellar year for us--full of firsts.

Love always,

Mommy

P.S. You just woke yourself up with the biggest fart. I heard it in the other room. You are so charming.