Letter to Anna: Month twenty-seven

Dear Anna,

You've totally turned into your own little lady over the past few months and I love this stage in your development.  You surprise us, and usually yourself, almost daily with a new skill or word or adventure and it’s amazing to see the world through your eyes.  Some days I feel like you’re 2 going on 12, but then you cuddle up next to me, or want me to kiss a “boo boo” and I remember that you’re still my little girl.

 You have the sweetest little voice and I love hearing what you’ll say from day to day.  I try to takes notes on as much as possible because I don’t want to forget your cute sayings, mispronounced words, or exaggerated mannerisms.  You’ve started to refer to yourself in the third person and it’s incredibly funny to hear.  “Anna” is a busy girl and always seems to have a lot going on if you were to ask her.  You’re not only able to repeat words to us, you’re able to effectively communicate (when you want to), and on the flip side, you’re one adamant little girl.  Last night at dinner you decided you wanted applesauce, and were able to tell us very clearly, and because it’s a healthy snack, we were happy to oblige.  Except that I was nursing Charlotte while eating with one hand, and Daddy had just sat down to the table after getting us all settled when your request came out.  And then we heard it 12 times, each instance increasing in volume, until the applesauce was safely on your place mat.  Just last week you came down with an ear infection and were able to tell us your ear hurt, which was such a blessing because you weren't running a fever, and there was no redness or heat around your ear; otherwise I might have thought you just had a case of the “two year old fussies.” 

You’re very polite, and very usually say “thank you” in the right situations, but we are still working on using “please” more often; lately you prefer a high-pitch whine/squeal to indicate your need or preference.  You say you’re “sorry” in mostly the right situations, and I melt when you apologize for events out of your control, like when the cats are being bad or when you can tell that I’m flustered or upset and come over to me and say “I’m sorry, Mommy.”  Talk about my cares literally melting away. 

You’re very intuitive and are memorizing and remembering so much more than we give you credit for.  You and your Dad have been known to take in a few Pirates games when spending time together and he’s taken it upon himself to make sure you’re equally versed in sports as you are in princesses.  He beamed with pride when the Kellys were in town and I turned the TV to ESPN for your Uncles and Pap Pap during your bath time and upon your return to the family room you saw baseball highlights airing and started to run around the room yelling, with the most enthusiasm I've heard in a long time and your little arms in the air, “HOMERUN, HOMERUN, HOMERUN!!”  On an athletic note, you finished up soccer lessons this past week, and although I’m not sure you’ll earn a scholarship anytime soon, I think you had a fun time, but we still need to work on finding your listening ears.  According to your Dad, you were pretty good at warming up but lost interest after that.  The practice I was able to attend found a family of ducks on the field and you were more than happy to count them out for the rest of your team, unfortunately you were supposed to be practicing a kick-back. Oh well, the point was to get you out of the house and having fun, learning some teamwork and building your social skills ... and it didn't hurt that you usually took a great nap on those days.  You’re a born leader at home, routinely leading a parade around the house, telling (not asking) us to “follow me” around the house or the cul-de-sac.

You put two-and-two together so quickly I can almost see the wheels turning in your head as you think.  You recently saw someone jumping rope on TV and were showing off your jumping the other day when your grandparents arrived in town.  Your Grandma asked you if you were jumping rope and you paused, then ran to the cat’s toy basket, found a shoe string, and proceeded to jump rope in your own special way.  Because you’re so physically active, you seem to get a lot of boo boos that need the special Mommy or Daddy kiss to make them all better.  It can get to be a little much in the midst of trying to unpack from our busy days or in the midst of trying to get out the door, but that’s just one of the many reasons you've taught me to stop and smell the roses; you’ll only be asking me to kiss your boo boos for a little longer, so I try to cherish each of those moments. 

As much as your Dad and I love you and are excited by all of your new milestones, the one person in the world that truly thinks you are the bees knees is your sister.  She laughs and coos and giggles for us, but she belly laughs for you.  She follows your voice around the room and turns giddy when she sees you approach.  You love to console her, greet her in her crib each morning, and are the best at “helping” her play.  The day you were sick this month, your Dad took you to the doctor in the morning while I worked at home and you could not grasp why she wasn't home when you awoke from your nap.

As I see the school buses start to resume their routes in the neighborhood and as you seem to grow by leaps and bounds each day, I’m realizing just how fast time is fleeting.  You've had a case of the “Mommy’s” that started when you were sick a few days ago, you know, where Mommy is the only one that can do things “just right.”  It can be tiring, but I’m honored to be able to fill the role.  I am truly excited to hear your voice each morning, love tucking you in at night, and love, love, love seeing you run to me at the end of the day.  I told your Dad this month that you’re one of my best friends.  Other than my co-workers and your Dad, I probably talk to you the most of anyone on any given day.  I love hearing about the world through the eyes of a child, I love seeing you interpret what we've taught you, and I love hearing that teeny tiny voice express love on so many levels.  I will never tire of hearing you talk, look forward to sharing your secrets, and in the meantime, can’t wait to hear what games you’ll be playing with your stuffed animals in the crib when you wake tomorrow morning. 

Love, 

Mom