My sweet little monkey butt,
You are into your second year now and you are running!!!
Sitting still is not an option anymore. You are a walker and it seemed to happen almost over night. You went from a wobbly 3 steps to just wondering around where ever you please.
Tonight your daddy called you the New ATV Bandit as you were making your way up and over and in and around anything and everything in the living room. Impressive to say the least.
You can talk - sometimes. Well, say some words. Cat, goat, dog, yes. I swear to goodness you say "I love you" and "Thank you". I have no doubt you are saying so much more we just can't understand it yet. The look in your eyes as you are speaking gibberish is full of intent and purpose. And when you are done you look at us like we are the idiots for not getting it.
You sign language has taken off. You use the signs for - more, eat, open, milk, all done. You can pick up a sign after you see it maybe twice. The trick is to make mama do the signs more consistently.
Dancing is still a favorite past time. Your taste is diserning and I appreciate that. A man on the street gave you a private concert of his original song "I'm a fish" but the solo pressure did not break you. You stared and waited for him to finish. Daddy gave him a dollar and we were on our way. The next store we went into you heard a song with a heavy dance beat before anyone did and your arms were up in the air waving around and you were crunching your mid section while in my arms. I still love it when you dance. Doubt that will ever go away.
You have 7 teeth and so so many more working their way in. You are a champ with the teething. Occasionally you will have a fever and become a bit more needy but you work it out. Seems like those molars are starting to tease you. I see you chomping on your finger way back in your mouth every now and again. You also stole my tooth brush, thanks daddy, to gnaw on and now I can't find it anywhere.
Sharing is big part of your nature. If you have something and you see some one else show interest you immediately want to let them try it or hold it. But lately you are seeing that not every kid wants to share with you what they have and it is a bit of a stunner. You usually try and give them a couple of opportunities to share with you but if it doesn't happen you lose it with loud red faced crying and huge tears. You have never been much of a crier so this is a surprise to some of the adults we know. But you're getting it. This has brought a much bigger concept of teaching and character building to the surface for mommy. How do I explain/teach/share the knowledge and understanding that you be who you are and know that other will be who they are. It doesn't make anyone better or bad or good. I'm still formulating it in my mind so I'm not sure I am getting it across in writing. I also don't think you should share if you don't want to.
Your birthday party was great! I went nuts on details and setting up along with your daddy but once it was all in place we were just there. Looking back I wish I had taken a more photos myself but I was thrilled to have our friend, Liz, and Grammy covering the day with their cameras. We sang happy birthday and we let you eat a small cake on the ground. It only made sense.
this whole walking thing has taken us into a whole new level. You go where you want and you are fast. With this new skill came a much more verbal version of the baby we knew. You make more faces and sounds than before and we thrill with each one.
This new year also has throw us deep into the world of stains. No matter what you do in your day by the end of it your clothes and body have become black. You require at least two baths, thanks daddy for doing those, and your clothes require at least a bottle of stain remover. Now I get those commercials about grass stains.
We read lots of books. You "read" us books too.
We are going to China later this year to visit Gong Gong and AG! Tickets are booked! Super exciting. I will be doing plenty of research on how to keep a toddler happy during 18 hours of flying.
You just started a new Animals and Me class on Monday mornings. Miranda July and her little boy Hopper are in our class. This was a very huge cool deal to mommy. But the tortoises that we saw were also a huge cool deal. Fingers crossed we get to meet the wolf the teacher teased us about.
Daddy is doing final touches to his first children's book and mommy is working hard in an online Building Your Business course. We want to be able to give you options and opportunity in your life. So, we are working hard towards that.
We celebrated Auntie Daniela at her Baby Shower last week and we will be celebrating Aunt Kate and the twins at their baby shower next month.
It's a busy life of happiness we lead. I feel so blessed and thankful. You keep my eyes open to these gifts constantly. Thank you my sweet girl.
xoxo
your mama
