Dear Malachi,

This morning you truly made my heart glad. You decided to be more independent. I hope that this is a phase that will stick. Since your Counsins Callie and Avery came to visit, you have been much more clingy, longing for someone to play with you. I love to watch you interact with your cousins and others, but it sometimes leaves you wanting a playmate. I understand and try to be there for you, but you have made it more difficult to get things done while you are awake.

After feeding you breakfast, I still had to make and eat mine. To my surprise, you wandered around the kitchen on your own, talking to your reflection in the dishwasher and kissing it. Then, you crawled into the family room to play with your many toys that are set up in there. I was able to finish cooking my sausage and biscuits. Then, I sat at the table, out of your view. I was able to eat almost my whole breakfast in peace while you played with your toys on your own. You finally joined me at that table and wanted to take part in my final two bites. I didn't mind, though. I finished my biscuit and shared my OJ. You couldn't have been happier. You love to drink whatever your Daddy and I are drinking. I quickly cleaned up and walked with you back over to the toys for a few more minutes of play.

You were also surprisingly independent yesterday at church. You played by yourself with almost every single toy in the room (which made it fun for me to clean up), while I held a friend of yours who is coming up on being 6 months old. I thought you might be jealous, but you were happy to crawl and walk around the room pulling all the toys off the shelf and playing with each one for no more than a minute. I just hope that these are signs of what is to come---a more independent, self-assured little boy who will adjust pretty easily to a little baby taking over Mommy's attention. Way to go my boy! You are growing up in front of our eyes.

Also, congrats on making an easy transition from bottle to sippy cup (Nuby's are great)!