First published 2012
Heather Armstrong sits down each month to write a letter to her daughter Leta. She starts when Leta is eight weeks old and continues for five years, documenting every milestone and surprise. The letters capture Leta's first time holding a rattle, her first steps, her first curse word, and her excitement about becoming a big sister. Armstrong writes with brutal honesty about the ups and downs of motherhood, mixing self deprecating humor with genuine emotion. She describes quiet snuggles and uncontrollable belly laughs alongside the daily miracles that only parents understand. Through these monthly chronicles, Armstrong reveals how becoming a mother changed her life so drastically that she still feels like she's catching her breath. Each letter shows her constant awareness of where Leta is and what she's doing, driven by the nagging hope that her daughter is happy and fulfilled.
Genres: family, autobiography, memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, personal-growth
Period: 21st-century
192 pages · Hardcover · Gallery Books