20 Months (Plus a Few Extra Days)

My Little Love ~

Time marches forward while we sit by and watch you grow and change and learn before our eyes. There are days that your daddy and I are simply astounded by the things that you do or say and by the length of your legs. You are just getting so tall!!!

You're still working hard on your alphabet and your letters. You will now sing the ABC song (only leaving out a few letters here and there) all by yourself. You're also beginning to recognize some of the lower-case letters, thanks to many many readings of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. You recognize all of the numbers 1-10 and can count to 14. Yesterday I listened to you counting as we drove home, "1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10...11...12...13...14...19...20" Really, who even needs 15-18!?

You still love reading and have really enjoyed some of the new books that we've picked up here and there. You have such a good memory and will occasionally reenact your favorite stories for us. I love hearing "Oh No! Boom boom!" coming from the back seat in the car. I know that you are thinking about Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Your memory has also been working overtime storing up some of your favorite songs. It's so much fun to let you fill in little holes when we sing together. You just seem so proud and excited to sing along!

We think that we're starting to see the beginning of your "Terrible Twos" here lately. You can be mischievous and dramatic and will throw the occasional tantrum. Your daddy and I are working hard to set and enforce limits for you and help you identify those tough feelings. Really, though, so far things are not so bad. It's kind of fun to see you show such independence and personality.

There is so much else to say, but I just don't know where to start, or how to stop once I get started. We love you so very much and are so proud of you.

Your Momma

19 Months - 11 Days Later

My Little Love ~

I can't believe how easy it is to lose track of time these days! I was thinking that after 18 months, I would stop writing my monthly letters to you, but looking back, you have changed so much in the space of one month. I feel like I have to record the things that you're doing and learning, even if it is 11 days late.

Right now, you are an absolute sponge for new information. You now recognize all of the letters in the alphabet, and are trying so hard to sing the ABC Song. We sing along and help you out, but I just know you'll have it down on your own in no time. In the last month, you've gotten really interested in numbers as well. At first, you only knew the name for 8 and 9, but now you consistently name 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10. You can count from 1 to 10 with a little bit of help. For some reason, 4 is hard for you. You want to count "1...2...3...2". You've started reading books on your own more often. We love hearing your interpretations of the stories we've read so so many times.

Your absolute favorite thing these days seems to be drawing. We spend lots of time at the table with markers, and we got you a magnetic drawing board. I love it when you draw a squiggle and then see a shape or letter in it. You also like to see me and Daddy write things for you. We've also started playing with blocks a little bit too. You've been able to build a tower 5 blocks high, but you do not like it when the stacks fall down.

You are getting better and better at eating with a spoon and fork. You still use your fingers a fair amount, but as long as you're doing it yourself, you're happy. As with many other things right now, independence is you top priority.

This month, we've also begun some potty training with you. While you've had several successes, we still have a long way to go. You like sitting on the potty and will request to do so from time to time, but you seem freaked out by the end result. We will continue to try and will always celebrate big when you do your job.

I just can't get over what a big girl you are. Sometimes I just look at you and you look so tall...I wonder where my little, snuggly baby has gone. Your daddy and I are so proud of you every single day.

I love you.

Your Momma