There is no denying it....you are a full blown toddler.
But you are still giving kisses on demand which eases the pain of you aging.
You are your parents pride and joy (understatement).
Talk talk talking. You may still say things only we can understand but you are AMAZING at communicating with us. You explain, use words, show us and try and try again. I am so proud.
The day doesn't start or end without you talking about babies. It is usually the first word you say when you wake up.
You love holding, wrapping, kissing and caring for all your baby dolls.
You went through a phase were you wanted us to swaddle your babies over and over again.
Your eyes light up when I lovingly take a turn cuddling one of your dolls. I burp them on my shoulder and soothe them to sleep. Your eyes twinkle watching my every move.
These last few months we have been on the move between UT and CA staying with grandparents. You have been resilient and patient with all the changes. You know you can depend on us to be there during most moments of the day.
You have been in the ocean, the mountains, the desert and everywhere in-between. Your 18mos photoshoot was taken up Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah, at the White/Red Pine trailhead. You wore a red romper I wore when I was your age!!
You have been sleeping in your travel crib and really love it.
You ask for "nigh-nights" and will start singing the goodnight song. Bedtime is a positive thing. Hallilueh!!! (refer to months 1-11 if you aren't sure why this excites me).
You are still BFing but we have dwindled to mornings and bedtime. I can't imagine letting either of those feedings go. They are both so special and important to me. I know they are to you as well. Glad it is still working out for both of us.
You are amazing at playing make believe. Sometimes your creativity surprises us. Not because our SuperNova is creative but because you are so young. We think you're brillant.
Make believe phone calls, make believe feedings, make believe owies. Even make believe acting like you are a baby (which in my mind you still are!) You will cry like a little baby and you want me to cradle you and tell you it will all be OK.
You are also an amazing imitator. I guess I must say "wow" a lot because now so do you.
You like to hold my hand an walk with me. You like to hold my hand when you watch gabba gabba and eat too. Gosh, I love it.
You. are. a. monkey!
You climb on everything and swing from everything and are not scared of heights.
You don't walk, you run.
You weigh all of 21lbs and are so strong and agile.
Papa takes you for lots of runs in the jogger and you'll stop and play in parks and then you both come back smelling like wind and sweat :)
The big news this month for you is you are getting a brother or sister this coming April!!!!
My feelings are a tiny bit torn about this for reasons that must be explained in another post. BUT we are SO excited and I am so happy to give you a sibling.
How amazing that this new baby will be born with three faces staring instead of just two? We feel blessed.
Bumps and bruises are what we expect. Your poor knees.
Your hair is fine and blonde and a little wild. it curls up at the bottom and we can't touch it enough.
You don't watch TV all that much but do ask for "gabba gabba" now.
Eating is going well. You love trying new things and still like your ole standbys...cheese, avocado, milk. "Crackies"is also a favorite of yours.
We call you "pickle" most of the time with the occasional nuh nuhs and Novs. When we were in Hawaii in June a little girl on the beach asked if we named you "pickle". Kind of wish we had.
You are so friendly and out going. You want to play with everyone and be friends with everyone. You give hugs and loves freely even when denied. I am so proud at the loving kind soul you are. So nurturing.
I would say your current obsessions are babies, dogs, pointing at and talking about eyes. You love giving other people and things drinks from your sippy (you shared some water with my iphone today). And bouncing on anything is something that never gets boring.
Your feet are looking so long to me. I can see the baby feet fading and the little girl feet taking their place.
I still have moments of guilt. I spend a lot of time with you but the last month or so have felt lots of nausea with baby #2 and I am way boring. I just don't have the energy to chase you like I have before. Thank goodness for your Dad....but I don't want this to be the beginning of some premature separation. You know? I love you being independent and you are great at independent play but I am not ready to let you far from me. Guessing I never will be.
Work has been good and busy in spurts. I just wish that all my energy could be saved for you...but I guess that's not realistic. Just know that I want that.
If a momma and baby bubble exsisted I would buy one so we could escape there whenever we needed (BFing time?).
I am constantly amazed that someone as imperfect and flawed as me could help to create and produce the perfection that you are. Your sweet kind effervescent spirit engulfs me. I am overwhelmed by you and who you are becoming. I want to give you everything you need to fly and fly and fly some more. I hope my weakness and follies don't hold you back at all.
I hope you always let me wonder at you..even if at times I need to do it from afar. Just know I will always want to be closer.
Being your Mom is the thing I'm most proud of. I love you my sweet Novs.
(ps. ignore the color in this post. Argh. I have been having a wreck of a time with labs getting my scans right. I do apologize if they are wonky).