Letter to Anna: Month Fourteen

Dear Anna,

You’re officially off and running and I’ve never been as worn out at the end of the day as I am now. It could be partly because we’ve had another month of sickness in our house, but I think it’s mostly from chasing after the cutest toddler ever. You're still working on your balance and hold your arms up in the air as you toddle around, it’s probably the most adorable thing I’d ever seen. Once you get going, though, you really pick up steam and there’s no stopping you.

You're such a ham and are honestly the happiest, sweetest, and most delightful child I’ve ever seen. You thrive on attention and love to show off for anyone and everyone. Last week your grandparents were in town and for the better part of an hour each day you’d leave the living room where everyone had congregated, walk into the kitchen, then turn around and return squealing with your hands in the air. It was the best game ever! You also learned to tell people you’re “so biiiig” when asked and flail your hands in the air to prove it.

We were all sick for a period of about 3 weeks this month, but you powered through with your sweet personality, giggles and smiles. You and your Dad dealt with Hand Foot and Mouth disease, while we shared upper repertory system funks. I’m working through the pain of a double ear and eye infection now, and let me tell you, there are no smiles or laughs going around ... until I see you, then the pain melts away, of course. At least you have a tooth to show for all of this, bringing the count up to 7 and I’m hopeful this is yet another layer to shield of immunity we’re all building up through these first few years.

You are more and more interactive by the day. You’ve started to imitate grown up activities, which is adorable and has me scared to death all at the same time. You can brush your hair, take your temperature, text friends on Mommy’s phone, change the channel on the TV, type on a computer, and use the iPad (please insert air quotes for all of these). You’re such a 2012 baby! You also love to walk around and close doors and cabinets, and rearrange your toys, just like Mommy. You love to play peek-a-boo, but also imitate games we play and its crazy how quickly you pick things up. You love to clap your hands, but you also love to help us clap our hands and get the biggest kick out of that game. The best is when we do something that really tickles you and you laugh at or with us. Your giggle is the sweetest noise ever, and I may suggest the UN use it to encourage world peace. You’d have to see it in person, though, because seeing those little teeth peek through just makes it *that* much better.

You're very intelligent, I’m positive you’ll be smarter than me by the time you enter kindergarten. You’ve picked up a few sign language signs from school, including “more” and “all done.” Although your sign for “all done” is a bit loosely interpreted, I’m pretty sure it’s what you mean, either that or you just like using your “jazz hands” while in your high chair ... it’s really 50/50. You love to “read and sing along” to books and songs; I’ll often look over and see your mouth moving as we take in your favorite book. Speaking of reading, you LOVE to read. You will bring us book after book after book to read and will also read by yourself often. You don’t have any firm words yet, although I swear you call Daisy by name. We totally called that when you were in the womb, based on how often one of us is yelling at her to stop doing something. You babble ALL the time and are certain to let us know when you want something, so I have a feeling we’ll be getting earfuls any day now.

You’re still a pipsqueak physically, but we think you’re huge compared to the little baby we were cuddling on this time last year. Your hair has filled in nicely from the male-pattern baldness you sported last summer. You had a bit of a mullet starting, but luckily the hair in the back has started to curl up, making it less obvious and keeping us safe from being offenders of the “business in the front, party in the back” hairstyle. You're wearing mostly 12-18 month clothing, but some shirts are getting a wee bit too small, thanks to your protruding belly (you’re a great eater!), and you wear a size 3 ½ or 4 shoe. You’re still long and lean and amaze everyone that sees you toddling around with such petite stature.

My favorite time of the day are the hours after work and before you go to bed. Sometimes it’s low key, with a little Sesame Street and reading books, other days we’re outside, but most of the time you’re running all over the house like a crazy child. Your Dad is usually home and at some point we’ll all play together. Lately we’ve found ourselves in the living room or our bedroom. If we’re in the living room, you’ll use me as your personal jungle gym or will roll continuously between your Dad and me. You think it’s hilarious and laugh so hard your eyes well up with tears. If we’re in our bed after your bath, you love to roll around, attempt to scale the headboard, or just lay quietly like a “big girl.” Last night you were sandwiched in between the two of us and we were each giving you kisses on the cheek at the same time. You loved it! When we’d finish a series of three or four kisses, you’d pull our heads in with your teeny tiny arms and we’d start all over again, melting each time as we saw your ear to ear grin. It’s these moments that I’d never give up, EVER, in a million years. Moments like that where everything else in the world disappears and you become our complete focus. You’re our life now; our family is the reward and prize for all sacrifices we’ve made to get to this wonderful point. I hope we’re always able to find those few hours each day to be silly, to love on each other, and to appreciate what’s really important. Because that’s what it’s all about, after all.

Love,
Mom