Rio spent his first Easter and turned nine months old in Texas. The trip was wonderful and thankfully this time he didn’t get sick.
Zach and I both needed the mini vacation and relished in a opportunity to go for a run together - lately we haven’t been able to coordinate much time together - so a nice run down the back roads of South Texas was a blessing. The wild flowers were breath-taking. Wish I had carried a camera.
The Texas weather was fabulous; warm and sunny. Much to Rio’s excitement, the nice weather meant a lot of time outdoors; swimming in the pool, riding on a horse for the first time, and laying in the lawn under the pecan trees.
Over the last several months Rio has developed special attributes and mannerisms. He loves to move and is always wanting to go somewhere and see something. His little adventurous attitude has kept me very busy and sometimes I wonder where the days have all gone. It doesn’t take long (a loving smile from Rio) to remind me exactly where they have gone - all in to following, chasing, and leading my little boy on life’s great adventure.
Lately, I’ve begun to believe Rio may have a future career in furniture moving or perhaps in Feng Shui design. He seems to think that our furniture is in all the ‘wrong’ places and has taken it upon himself to push the furniture throughout the house on a daily basis. I’m constantly putting stools and chairs back in their rightful spot.
Physically Rio is changing…He is getting his top teeth (already has two bottom teeth) and he continues to try to walk, but has yet to get it just right. Rio tries to take steps but hasn’t quite developed the mechanics and coordination needed to walk. Rio is learning to pull himself up and over obstacles: couches, steps, toy boxes….This is a bit scary and I’m always keeping a watchful eye.
Zach and I have begun teaching Rio how to get down from things. He hasn’t fully developed the concept that going down head first is not the safest method. We are always there to catch him. During moments of true brilliance he will turn onto his belly and slowly scoot off the edge, letting his legs touch the ground first.
His dexterity has improved; often he can feed himself little morsels of food without my help and he can now pick up very small objects off the floor (which increases my need to spot check and clean the house each day). Just recently I saw him pick up a tiny elm beetle and stick it in his mouth. After I fished out the little bug I laughed at his abilities then went right to work cleaning and vacuuming up any little critters. We see a lot of little critters in the house this time of year; bugs, spiders, and sometimes even baby snakes (eeeekkk).
Communication is expanding exponentially these days. Rio now says ‘mama’ frequently along with other sounds. I can’t help but think he knows what ‘mama’ means because he only uses it when he wants something from me. In addition to words, Rio communicates with body language. Loving gestures are the best; resting his head on my chest and rubbing his head against mine (we call it head love).
What will spring/summer bring???
There is so much we want to do with Rio this summer. Soon he will be walking. I can’t wait to walk him around our property and show him flowers, bugs, the river and trees. I’m excited to take him camping many times and to do some backpacking trips with him strapped on my back like a little monkey being carried by its mother.
Late in the summer we hope to take him on his first leisurely raft trip and I’m chomping at the bit for our first international trip as a family.
Nine months after giving birth, Zach and I are still amazed each day that we get to have such a special, loving and entertaining little boy in our life.
Here is a little quote that sums up my feelings today:
You only live once, but if you do it right once is enough. - Mae West
