Two Years, One Month

Dearest Leah,

It Feels kinda nutty to still be referring to your age in months. So I'm going include the years now. YEARS. That's just crazy talk... I do not understand how you are TEEYOO. That's how you say it. You're actually kind of obsessed with the the word and the number, and if I'm going to be completely honest - which I always am here - the function... Number two. As in... Poop. 

You are constantly pointing out two of anything when you see it or realize it. TEEYOO cahs. (two cars). If you I had you something, be it a blanket or slice of apple or crayon; you ask for teeyoo. If you ask for a doll from your crib, you point to another doll or animal, and say teeyoo. As in, "yeah that one too please". Then there is the poop. You ask if your Tidder (Tigger) doll has pooped, you ask if your Cabbage Patch has pooped. And you pick Molly (our dog) up by the tail, whilst pointing to her anus and ask POOOP???? "Yes, that's where Molly's poop comes from". It's all pretty adorable, even the poop parts. You also ask repeatedly if the moon, lights and airplanes poop.

You have recently become very picky about food. Which kind of bums me out, because you used to be such a good eater. Now you mostly subsist on toast, peanut butter, and cereal. I always offer you meat, yogurt and a veggie first, but usually resort to cheese and toast just to get you to eat SOMETHING. It's a tricky situation because I don't want to get in the habit of you thinking I'll make five different meals if I haven't offered you something you want or like. But I just want you to eat! You did however have your first (home made) burrito and you LOVED it! Which is a very good thing, because your dad and I LIVE for mexican food.

If I could back in time and redo one thing. This is going to sound nuts. I would reevaluate my choice in highchairs. Ugh, I was overwhelmed with registering/ bucking the system and not wanting to get caught up in having a lot of crap. So I absolutely ZERO research in highchairs and ended up with our POC "Space Saver". Anyhoo, you recently decided how much you hate it too! Which is a good and a sad thing... I bought two new(to us) highchairs from Craigslist. One is a basic restaurant style wooden chair that I paid a whopping $5 bucks for,  then the Stok.ke Highchair which was $60. Which sounds high, but other similar chairs were going for twice that price! And so quickly, that I kept losing out on them! Anyhoo. You love it. Cause they'll both allow you to sit at the table like a big girl, with Momma and Dada. It makes me so happy to see you sitting across from me at the dinner and breakfast table. But I can't help but feel a pang in my heart when I walk into the kitchen and see the empty spot where your crappy other highchair isn't anymore...



I think you have accidentally discovered stalling. Your bag of tactics includes asking to see the wall of picture frames in the hallway. Pointing out the relatives you recognize, and of course Momma and Dadda. Or hugging me, putting your head on my shoulders... All to avoid having your diaper changed, or going to bed. It's hard not to give in a little bit.

Thinking about first Hair Cut - Pig tails! Your Grammy was a hairdresser professionally for 44 years, so she has been chomping at the bit to cut your hair, but I'm just not ready. You have slowly agreed to letting me but a barrette or two in your hair then finally a few weeks ago you let me do pigtails! And Holy crow do you look so stinking cute in pigtails. They usually only last a few hours at best, but I'll take what I can get for now!

I'm sitting here next to you on our bed while you watch Alice In Wonderland (the original disney one) because I am sick, and would rather be in bed than doing anything else... I can't help but marvel at your concentration and how your breathing changes when you watch tv. I have a love hate relationship with you and the television. I don't watch any tv while you are awake, and I only like you to watch Sesame Street or a small variety of Disney movies... And I try to keep it under 1 hour a day, preferably not at all. But I'll admit I rely on it to babysit you if I didn't get the chance to shower before you wake up for the day. But I hate how it kind of makes you a zombie. Ugh. On a somewhat political note, I have mostly kept you from the princessy stuff, because I don't want you to get caught up in that whole thing. And while I loved Ciderella and Sleeping Beauty as a kid, I am decidedly not princessy now. So you've watched Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story, Alice in Wonderland, and Finding Nemo.  Your favorite characters are Pooh, Tigger and Buzz Lightyear. It's adorable. You ask for tidder (tigger), and Buts (Buzz), when you want to watch them...

You are turning into a little kid more and more every day. It's so much fun, but a little alarming that you're not a baby anymore. Seriously. You're not a baby by any standard... It's nuts. But I truly am enjoying each new stage. Even the ones that include your epic meltdowns. 

Can't wait to see what the next month brings!

Love,
Momma