Kitty Love

17 Months

Baby Girl ~

Here we are again, the beginning of another month of your life with me struggling to recount all the amazing things that you've been doing. Although we may not remember the dates and times of every single milestone you reach, we will never be able to forget the absolute joy that you bring to our lives. You are so lovely and happy.

This month you blew us all away when we realized that you are beginning to recognize letters. It all began a few months ago, when you pointed to the letters on the cover of your Corduroy book, wanting to know what they were. We played that game for a while...saying the names of each letter and then reading the title. This became something that you wanted to do every time we got out the Corduroy book. One day, when your daddy asked you, "Which one is the R?" I just laughed at him...until you pointed to the R. Now, you recognize all of the letters in Corduroy and can point them out wherever you see them. You can even tell me the names of a few letters. What a smart, smart baby!

You also shocked us with your knowledge of a few shapes. You've been loving your shape sorter for a while, but we're starting to push you to find out exactly what you know. Last night, I told you to give me the circle, without any other cue as to which shape I was talking about, and you handed me the circle. You also knew the names of the ellipse, square and star. I suspect that you might know a few of the others as well, but you got bored of that game, so we moved on.

It's fun to watch you learn new things and realize just how bright you are. Beyond being a smart girl, though, we are so pleased that you are curious, persistent and a problem-solver. This talents and interests will serve you well throughout your life. I thrill in the idea that you will enjoy learning for a lifetime.

As always, you've been talking up a storm this month. I was thrilled to find out the other day that you now know one of your friends' names. Every day when we get to Amanda's house, you fun for the door saying "MaaMy MaaMy", excited to see your friend Madeleine. I know that you will have many good friends in your life, but this is your first friend, and it's just so special.

One of my other favorite things that you've started doing is picking up. We can now tell you to put your books away and you can do it. You're so cute doing it, too.

Here lately, you are pure poetry in motion. Whether it's running, climbing or dancing, you just don't seem to stop. I love seeing the absolute joy on your face when you get where you want to be or accomplish something new.

I hope you always know that you are, truly, the joy of your daddy's and my life. We are so lucky to be able to share all these experiences with you. We love you so very much.

Your Momma

An Honest to Goodness Sentence

"Bye bye Dada." I'm so proud of my girl!!!

Sweet Baby

Kaylee loves playing with her baby...a doll that my mom got her for her birthday. Last night, while she was hugging her baby and patting her back, I suggested that we sing to her baby. I started singing the ABC Song (a go-to for calming Kaylee down when she gets upset) and, as usual, Kaylee began singing along. The next part, though, I didn't expect. Kaylee continued to pat her baby's back and started rocking back and forth just a little bit. What a sweet little girl!!!