(Month 7) June 18th 2012

Dear Blake, 

There is nothing more exciting than the real discovery of fingers. You have been pretty good at pinching and poking with your fingers, but now you are really coming to grips with recognizing your hands as YOUR hands. I love all of the things you do with those hands. Most especially I am smitten every time you reach your hands out to me. Heart melts, let me just say. 

Love always, 

Mama

(Month 7) June 1st 2012

Dear Little Trooper, 

We had a grand adventure today. We took Pepper and Tio and Grandpa up the canyon and we hiked Stewart Falls. It was pretty warm and pretty far, but you enjoyed most of the trek from the comfort of your baby carrier. The entire time you hardly made a peep. Honestly, I thought it was going to be much more difficult than it was. You seemed comfortable, I was comfortable, and the only person uncomfortable was Pepper because her paws were so stinking hot on all the sun scorched dirt. 

She was so pleased when we reached the water and she could romp around in the cool for a while. It was warm, I will admit, but we had plenty of water with us and we did simply fantastically. On the way back down from the falls we had to take several breaks to let poor, poor Pepper rest in the shade. She really hasn't gotten the exercise she deserves since you were born. This pretty much burned her out, something I never thought would happen. However, in the end, we all made it back home safe and sound. It was a delightful little jaunt and we enjoyed it very much. 

Love always, 

Mama