Month Sixteen

Dear Amelia,

Today you are sixteen months old. I know I say this all of the time, but you are at such a fun age. There is so much personality stuffed into your tiny little body, and you are a lot of fun to be around! This past month the fourth of your first molars came in, along with all four of your canine teeth – now you have all but your 2nd year molars. I know we’ll both be glad to get all of this teething over and done with.

These days you are walking and running all over the place. You are getting very independent, but you still reach for my hand a lot – I love it! When we are out running errands we hold hands and ‘race’ into the store – you laugh and yell as if it’s the most fun you’ve ever had. I’m sure a lot of people see us in the parking lot and think we’re crazy, but I don’t care – I love making you laugh!

Amelia, you give great hugs and kisses. When you give a hug, it’s more of a cuddle – you put your arms around me and rest your head on my shoulder or chest – I love it! You give Daddy hugs before he leaves for work every morning, and sometimes you pat him on the back while you’re hugging him goodbye – just like he does to you! You are so observant and it is so fun watching you grow and learn about the world around you. Lately you’ve started showing some anger and frustration when we tell you not to do something. You definitely understand the word “no”, and you enjoy testing your limits – you’re not afraid of showing your temper. You scrunch up your nose and lips and stomp around – it is so hard not to laugh! I love seeing you assert your independence though, and it makes me very proud even though you can be quite frustrating at times.

When we get home from errands and I get you out of the car, I tell you that we’re going inside to see Shelby – you start yelling “Bee! Bee!”, calling out for your puppy. You have gotten a lot better about playing independently. Often I’ll go into your room and you’re quietly reading one of your books or playing with your toys. You have recently started saying “baby” – all of your stuffed animals are “baby” and you will hold them and sway (or just shake them back and forth) when we ask if you’re rocking the baby to sleep.

A few months ago you commandeered a snowman spatula that Grandpa B gave me for Christmas. You carry it around as if it is your scepter, and you love using it to mix things. Any open container will get mixed and stirred – I think you’re pretending to cook & bake like your Mama! You’ve got a big pink bowl that you carry around the house and you love mixing up pretend soups for me and Daddy to taste. You get the biggest smile on your face when we ask if we can have a bite! We had a little photo shoot yesterday so that I could get a picture to post with this letter, and you wouldn’t take that pink bowl off of your head!

You love Daddy and say “dat” ALL THE TIME – that’s your special name for him! Whenever you hear my phone make noise you run over and say “Dat!”, thinking it’s Daddy calling for you. His name is the first thing out of your mouth in the mornings, and you always get the biggest smile on your face when he walks in the door after work. When the two of you play together he makes up the most grandiose stories and songs I have ever heard! He is such a great Daddy, and my heart overflows when I look at the two of you and realize how incredibly blessed we are by your presence in our lives.

Love, Mama