You're so big. Two nights ago, I got my first "nite-nite mama" that had me over the moon. I'm telling you I could have run a marathon powered by those three words. You started linking together several words the past two months; the first was "whered it go?", which we hear nearly 20 times a day. We didn't believe it when your teacher wrote us to say you had said that about the FedEx driver you were watching out the window who went into the back of his truck to get a package... then we heard it ourselves and your daddy and I laughed and cheered for you. This month, you've developed that into a game where you hide things behind your back or below the wall of the tub or under a scarf, ask "whered it go?" and when and then surprise us by bringing it out. I can't believe how much you're doing and saying all on your own now! Other phrases you like to use are "bye-bye house/school/Cindy (your teacher)" you even said "love you" to your brother the other night.
This month we also transitioned from a high-chair to the dining table (complete with duct-tape phone books as your barely-needed booster). We're working on expanding your menu of what you'll eat, but since the past few weeks have had us all cooped up with a horrible cold, we haven't pushed it much. You did have your very first Taco Bell taco (and liked it when we got you to eat it!).
And the big deal for us was that just after your 18 month checkup we gave up the binky. We haven't looked back since, and amazingly enough you had no issues giving it up. Only a month later did you think to ask for it on occasion, but we're still binky free after a month and a half.
Unfortunately with all your development comes a lot of "testing" and "communicating" which we're working through. You now understand when I go to feed your brother that I can't hold you, so you shout "Mine" at me and want me to hold you. Last month you were pushing at school and hitting at home more, so we have been redirecting, spending lots of "mommy-and-me" time and even introduced you to time outs (though only for about 20-30 seconds) so we can all take a breather. This past week seems to have been a turning point with those types of communication and we are seeing a lot easier behavior.
You and I have been cuddling a lot more at night lately, where you request your books or songs or puzzels. You've started helping me say your prayers for who we love, and you're still a fantastic sleeper - but you get torn between being exhausted and wanting to stay up and play (so you reach for your crib, then whine at us when we go to leave). You don't like it when we leave you pretty much anywhere, and realize a lot of times when we go to a new place or to Gammy's that there is a chance of it, so you're clingy (what happened to my Miss Independant?). It sometimes takes a while, but you're usually quite comfortable on your own after we get settled. Two weeks ago we even started your first mommy-and-me swim lessons at the Y and you LOVE it. You're not afraid of anything!
Our next development seems to be singing songs and learning our letters / numbers. You can already identify an A, I, C and O. You can repeat the whole alphabet after me, letter by letter, when you feel like it (I often start and get a "No"). And even with that word, you wouldn't imagine how much I love your voice!! You sometimes chime in when we sing certain songs (like Row, Row, Row Your Boat and Old McDonald) - and make requests on some days ("Bus!" for Wheels on the Bus") and I can't wait for you to start singing along. If you hear If You're Happy And You Know It you automatically clap, stomp and lift your hands in "Horray" without stopping what else you're doing.
Thank you for these smiles you bring to us each day baby girl. You are smart, precious and beautiful; I love you with every cell of my body.
hugs & love,
mama
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