not to us

My dearest girl,

It has been 18 months since the day you entered this world.  :)  I had planned on writing this post for some time, but I almost forgot!  We've been a little distracted this morning, since your little brother is being a brat.  (Already...I know!)  Thankfully, my friend Renay posted about Owen's 21 month birthday today, and it reminded me that it's your 18 month day!!  :)

You haven't been to the doctor in a while, so I don't know your weight or your height.  I do know that you're looking awfully big to me.  We've had to change out some of your clothes, since you've grown out of them, so I know you're getting a little bigger.  :)  Everytime you climb up on the futon, I can't believe that you're my bitty baby girl.  You are talking so much and really walking around this house like you know what you're doing.

This morning, you tried to help your Nana clean, and I was so proud of you.  You dropped some milk on the floor, and you asked for a rag to wipe it up.  (Not in words, just by pointing.)  When Nana gave you the rag, you dutifully stooped down and wiped up your spilt milk.  Not too much later, you were carrying around the big red broom and "sweeping."  Unfortunately, you were much better at sweeping things off of tabletops, instead of sweeping the dirt and dust off the floor.  We had to take the broom away, but Nana told you that you might get a new Roo-sized broom.  Wouldn't that be fun?

Like I mentioned, you're using a ton of words.  You know the names of almost all the items in your books, and you repeat a lot of what you hear.  You're quite a little mimic, and we love it.  Recently, your Poppa showed you his fist with a mean face, and you picked it right up.  We all think it's very funny.  Your Gigi taught you how to bonk noses with your chunky puzzle animals, and you think that's a very silly thing to do.  We all laugh at you when you rub noses with your giraffe, and it only encourages you more.  :)

It's not all giggles around here, though.  You have recently started a screeching phase.  It's not fun for Mommy or Daddy at all.  We're trying to be patient and teach you to use your words and your quite voice.  You're catching on, but it's certainly taking some time.  Sometimes, you even put your finger up to your mouth and "Shh" us, showing that you know the screeching is wrong.

You also like to push boundaries.  You're still learning the difference between games and actual no-nos.  Right now, you really know how to push your daddy's button by pulling the power cord out of his computer.  You try to play a sympathy card and lay your head down and whimper when we say no, but you always lift up your head to make sure we're watching you.  :)  You've got quite the personality already.

The last big thing that's happening in your life right now is that you're learning about the potty.  We didn't try to teach you or anything.  However, you now tell us when you go peepee or poopoo in your nappy.  You come to us, clutch your behind, and say, "Peepee!" or "Poopoo!"  You're almost always right.  Although you have gotten confused between farts and poos sometimes.  :)  You have even gotten us a nappy to tell us it's time for a change a few times.  You're also very interested in watching mommy use the big girl potty.  I don't think your body is actually ready for potty training yet, so we're just going to keep working on the words and the feelings and the associations, but I'm awfully proud of you.

All around, you are truly a delight to us.  We are so thankful to have you in our lives, and we will always, always, always love you...no matter what.  When you're eighteen years old and can't wait to move out of the house, I'm going to redirect you to these posts to show you that we have loved you for such a long time and that we will always be here for you.

Be blessed, sweet girl!  Your momma and daddy love you!