BODY MODS

Dear Lisbeth,

I am sure that you know, even now as a little sweet baby, that mommy has "shiny stuff" in her face. I have always liked body modifications, but people often ask me what will I say to you if you ask for it. I didn't really have to give it much thought, as the answers seem obvious to me.

If you ask to color your hair some crazy color, to have dreadlocks or a mohawk or extensions, I will certainly allow it. After all, hair grows back if you decide that you don't like it. I just ask that you let me help you, and don't try to do it on your own, to make sure that it is done properly and turns out well.

If you ask me for a body piercing or gauges, depending on your age, I will certainly consider it. Body piercing is expensive and uncomfortable, so you should definitely think it through before punching needles through your body. Maybe I would take you to get a piercing you wanted as a reward for academic excellence or something along those lines.

If you asked me for a tattoo, I would be much more hesitant in agreeing. Tattoos are very permanent, and while I don't know how things will be 15 or 20 years from now, as it is, there are a lot of ways that people still discriminate against those with tattoos, and I wouldn't want you to be held back in any way. Also, people's tastes change over time, and a tattoo you might love as a teenager, you might hate as an adult, so you must take at least a year or two to consider whether you really want a tattoo as much as you think you do. Additionally, once you tattoo a certain part of your body, you can't put any other tattoo there, so you must make extra sure that it's what you want.

The short answer is, I want you to be happy, to trust me, and to feel free to love and express yourself, but to do so with wisdom and reservation.

MOVING AND SHAKING

Oh Lisbeth,

Your mommy is so proud of you. Darling, you're just doing so well. I am so happy to see all of the things you're learning to do. Right now, you are 11lbs 12 oz, 23 inches tall and in just one week you will be a whole 5 months old.

Every day, I watch you advance and become stronger and smarter. It's an absolutely incredible thing. You are able to hold your head up so well, although you still wobble a little at times. I never get tired of seeing your big, bright eyes looking all around as you turn your head back and forth.

I am so entertained, if I hold you up like you're standing, you push your little legs against me, and take little wobbly steps. I feel like if we keep playing like this, you'll be walking in no time! It's so cute how you push yourself up when lying on your belly, and kick those little baby frog legs. I can't wait to see you succeed at walking and crawling after all of your hard work. Your physical therapist said we need to practice sitting up more, though, so that you don't fall behind in that area.

I haven't really caught you doing it yet, but I know you can roll over. We came home the other day and you had fallen asleep in your car seat. I unbuckled the straps, and after I put your things down, I turned around and you had rolled onto your belly and stretched out with your chunky little baby legs hanging over the edge of the car seat. It's just so cute watching you get comfortable in your sleep.

I love to hold you while you're sleeping. I just love you more than any words could ever say, and that closeness just makes me so happy. I always think to myself, "I wish that you understood even a fraction of how much I love you, and how much you mean to me," but then I think that you already do. I just hope that you love me just as much. <3