19 Months of Love

Dear Roo,

Today you turn 19 months old and once again, I'm in shock at how fast the time goes by. When I was pregnant with you people warned me that it all would just fly by. I didn't quite believe them then, but now I do. It seems like just yesterday I was writing you a letter about turning six months old and drooling on toys. And while the days do fly by in a blur, it's a blissful blur. One captured with memories that I will always adore.

You're working really hard on your vocabulary lately. Your two-word phrases are more pronounced and you've even added the word "No" to your list of useful words. I haven't had the chance for you to spit out the word at me, but I've heard you telling the dog, "No Leo" endless times. You are also remembering things very well. If I ask you to find your tag blanket, you turn in circles searching the room for it until you find it. When you find it and bring it to me, your smile is one of pride... and so is mine.

The kisses you once were so guarded about are now freely given, as long as we ask nicely. Most of the time I end up kisses your teeth, but I don't mind. I'll take any kiss you give out. You also like to kiss the dogs, which I'm not too crazy about, but hey, what can you do? Demand you stop loving them? I doubt that will ever happen.

You still are very shy around strangers and that's okay with me and Daddy. Men still scare you causing you to shrink back or hide in Daddy's shoulder. He is hoping this trait will continue until you're thirty... Here's to hoping, huh?

Grandma June bought you your very own slide for the front yard. You haven't exactly mastered the whole up the steps, down the slide thing. But you can climb to the very top and stand at the head of the slide. Sometimes I wonder what you're thinking about while you're standing there gazing at your surroundings. Maybe you're just taking a moment to look down on the little people, down at the servants (also known as Mom and Dad)?

You've created this fascination for rocks, especially the gravel ones at the end of the driveway. You'll totter on down and pick up a whole handful of them and walk to the back of the truck and drop each one down through the hitch hole. Either that or throw them at people (and cats) passing by.

My little stinker, you.

I couldn't be prouder of you. You've grown into such a beautiful little girl who never fails to amaze me. Your smiles light up the worst of moments and your laughter can cure anything. I love you so much, never forget that... ever.

Love,
Mommy