March 11

Today I heard you in your room before I went and got you. You were running your hands (I guess) across the slats of your crib like a prisoner. You were talking the second I walked in the door. You are always so excited to be awake and start your day. Good Lord if I could only steal just a little of your energy.

I had Open House night at my school today so I had an hour and a half to burn before I went back up to the school. Thank goodness Nana lives about 10 minutes from my work so I can just go over there during any long breaks. You were so happy and showing me all of your toys and books. We played and laughed. You called me silly which cracks me up.

You tried to steal my food. You tricked me into getting you more food, which you refused to eat. You didn't want more of your food, you just wanted some of my food.

You were also pretty tired. I put you down for a nap and then turned on what I thought was the noise maker. After about 15-20 minutes of silence, we heard you in there and I went in got you. That's when I realized I had turned on a little space heater (to high!) that was blowing right on you. No wonder you couldn't sleep. Sorry about that.

Now you are in bed asleep and I didn't get to put you there. Your Daddy came and got you and he brought you home and put you to bed. I hate missing your night routine. We "clean" up your toys (we're sort of just now kinda learning), brush your teeth, wash your face, get in jammies and a clean diaper, read books, sing and rock. I don't know when this goes away but I don't want miss any of it because I will so miss it when it's gone.

March 5

This morning I overslept so your Daddy got up to go get you ready. Every morning you tell/ask me, "Daddy sleeping," and I say, "Yes, Daddy is sleeping." So I thought you would be excited to see that Daddy was up with you and you were until you saw me. And then you reached for me and kicked your little feet. It was pretty cute. Daddy gave us kisses and sent us on our way.

Because I was running late, I just handed you off to Nana and left (I always go inside and get you situated). I kissed you and told you I loved you but you still looked kinda shocked when I left. I know you won't remember this but I'm sorry. I was super late.

We went to the park again this afternoon. You are just so cute. You weren't scared this time. You just ran around. You went up to some kids but most were bigger than you and you couldn't really keep up. You really wanted to go see the big kids playing football but there was no way.

I think you were tired because you got pretty clingy a couple of times. You were scared of the baby swing. Well, at first, you like it but then you were scared.

We ran an errand before the park and you refused to walk. You are so used to be held all the time that any time we try to get you to walk, it's a big deal. You stomp up and down and put your hands up and your lip out. So far that's pretty successful for you.

You are spending a long time eating dinner which is fine. Your Daddy and I have a puzzle set up at the dining table so I work on the puzzle while you work on your food and we sing and make silly noises at each other. Tonight I didn't even realize it was your bed time.

We brushed your teeth. You are so good about that. We sing a song while we do (This is way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth. . .) it and you love the song. Now you are asleep. I miss you. I love you.

March 3

I took you to the park for the first time today. It was quite fun. For the first 10 or 15 minutes I squatted on the ground with you in my arms. You were standing but you had your arms around me and I had my arms around you. And you just watched everything that was happening. Then you would take a step away and then come back. We did that a few times and then you were fine.

You ran around. You didn't go on any of the equipment or socialize with any of the kids but boy did you have fun. You just ran in circles and yelled and looked at everything. You did try to steal a donut from a little boy. His mom offered you the donut but I declined. As your Dad said,"We don't want to encourage thievery."

When it was time to go you were unhappy. You cried,"Grass, grass." I guess you wanted to play in the grass more.

You are still quite the sock terrorist. Every afternoon you strip your socks off. Today I just reached in to the back seat and asked for the socks. You handed them over although you seemed a little upset about it.

You are so sweet. You come up to me and tell me something, I'm never quite sure what. Well sometimes it's clear, sometimes not so much. Your little face is always so happy and loving.

We have invented a couple of games. One is for you to make a sound and then I quickly imitate it. And then you smile at me and make a little face so I know you are about to make a sound again. You get so excited to play and give me these sly little looks.

In another game you bring me a green toy that can be wound up and will buzz. You hand me the toy and say, "Thank you." I say, "Thank you," wind it up and toss it across the floor. Sometimes you go retrieve (once it's stopped buzzing) it and bring it back and we start over.

In another game we look for your toys by calling for them, "Elmo? Where are you?" or "Hippo?" We walk all through the house and call for your toys. You think this is so funny.

You are trying to learn your ABCs. For not quite 18 months you do pretty well and you are always excited to try. You love to sing Rock-a-bye baby and Rain, rain, go away. I love it when you sing.

You also love to dance. Any time any music comes on, even for a minute, you dance. You kinda float your arms around and twirl and bounce squat.

Basically my dear you are perfect. I love you. I love you. I love you.