Me: Will you do me a favor?
Hubby: Sure, what?
Me: Well, the bathing suit I just bought?
Hubby: Yes..
Me: Well, I'm kind of insecure about it. So, I am going to put it on. And you have to say that you think it looks absolutely hot.
Hubby: OK!
Me (in bathing suit): Tadaaaa (turn turn)
Hubby: You look stunning.
Me: You're just saying that because I asked you, aren't you?
Hubby: No, you are gorgeous. The bathing suit looks great.
Me: Really? I mean, if you don't like it, please be honest.
Hubby: I like it.
Me: You're really not just saying that? I mean, forget about what I asked. What is your true opinion?
Hubby: I like it. It looks great.
Me: OK. Thanks.
Hubby: Now stop it.

One day I'll drive him to insanity. The small confined cushioned rooms and group therapy kind.

And when I checked the correct spelling of insanity, I found an interesting definition:

Relatively permanent. Is that like being a little pregnant? At least if permanent has the same meaning as permanent in my language. Interesting.

My dearest Roo,

My sweet, cheerful, smiling, happy, healthy little Roo, you've become quite a little girl. My favorite little girl.

Let's devote this month's letter to your favorites. From number 10, down to number 1, your absolute favorite:

#10: Rolling rolling rolling
You have discovered you can view the world from different angles by rolling from back to tummy and from tummy to back. You've started enjoying this just a few days ago. You perfect your new learned skill every time you roll around. It is amazing how fast you learn. The play blankets that were to big for you just a week ago, are now to small. And when I put you on one of them on our lawn, you quickly manage to roll onto our young field of grass.

#9: Faces
Preferably funny faces, smiling faces, happy faces, changing faces. Not too close, but from a 6 feet distance. You especially like to watch the face of the person that is not holding you. You don't just watch and coo at the many faces that look into your big blue eyes. You interact, and use every ounce of your baby cuteness to complete and utterly let that person fall in love with you.

#8: Nursing
One of many favorites you share with mommy. Nursing time is special. Though I guess your basic need for food plays a major part in enjoying nursing, I really do believe you enjoy it. You coo, hold my finger, look me in the eyes and forget to drink all together. I hope we enjoy nursing for at least another five months.

#7: Watching other people
In a way your little life has more variety than your brother's life at your age. We take you with us to his toddler soccer playtime, swimming and every other event life asks our family to attend. And you enjoy most of these outings. At soccer you watch a bunch of crazy toddlers and their parents run around, at the swimming pool the same amount of people enjoying what must look like an extended bath time for you. As long as there's fun and a lot of movement, you're perfectly content watching everything from a distance.

#6: Bouncing on my knee while I'm singing the Dutch song"Op een grote paddestoel"
This is one favorite you share with your brother. I lay on my back with my knees pulled up and you're sitting on top of them. I wiggle my knees while I sing and you look down. Smiling and cooing.

#5: Playing hide and seek
Mommy's here, now she's not. Daddy's here, now he's not. I don't know how many times you'll still like this, but for now you screech in total happiness when we play. I hope it teaches you we'll always be there for you, even if we're out of sight.

#4: Your 'vibrating' little Playgro blue cat
When I pull the cord, the little cat - previously Monkey's toy - vibrates. When I dangle it against your cute little nose, you giggle the cutest giggle. I am sure we'll have lots of fun tickling you, my dear.

#3: Laying on your tummy in your play pen
Laying on your tummy is not one of your favorite things unless you have something to look at. Your play pen gives you a good view of our living room, only when on your tummy. And there you lay, on your tummy, (and drooling like you're growing some teeth). When you're not watching us fool around in the living room, you like to watch yourself in your playpen mirror. You smile at yourself, and I hope that means you love that little baby looking back at you just as much as we.

#2: Your mom and dad, especially when they're acting silly
I am lucky to be one of your favorite people. For a while I was your favorite. You seemed only happy in my arms. But that has changed. You've opened up to other people. And you've bonded with your father in a special way. And if it makes any sense at all, watching you to coo & giggle with your wonderful daddy, gives more meaning to my life.

#1: Monkey
Your number 1 favorite: your big brother Monkey. When he's around, you keep your big blue eyes on him. You watch his crazy & funny actions with amazement and interest. He makes you giggle and I am sure you'll be his perfect audience when he's being funny and silly at dinner time.

Little Roo, all my favorites seem silly and unimportant to my top 3 favorite things on earth: you, Monkey and your father.

I love you,
Mommy