The Readiness Is All

Dislikes: 

• Naps (again, always) unless Mama caves and lets you sleep with her (which is going to have to stop since we're in the process of weaning, especially during the day)
• Having things taken out of your mouth when you eat things you shouldn't
• Being strapped into anything when we aren't moving
• Pinching her fingers, which happens constantly because she is always sticking her fingers in pinchy things. 

• Successfully had her first plane ride! She slept for the entire length of a couple of the flights, and she was really good on the others. She also was very strategic about her diaper changing needs, reserving her smelly times for between flights. Smart girl. 
• Had a joint birthday party and a fun week of beaches and aquariums and ice cream factories and sparklers on our Houston trip. 
• Says "duck" and "Dad," in addition to her "Yay!" "Hi!" "Yep!" and "Yeah!" plus the occasional other word that we can't get her to repeat for the life of us. Of course she's decided she's too cool to say "Mom" right now. 
•  Has learned the sign language for "all done" and "more" (which might be the only things I remember to do consistently, but I'm excited that she's picked them up, as well as my invented sign of sticking her arms above her head to get out of her high chair when she's done)
• Has taken a few independent steps and is really good at walking while I hold her hand, but isn't quite ready to take off across the room quite yet. She's been so good at standing for so long that I fully expected her to be walking by now, but I must admit that I love her little crawl so much that I'm not too sad that she's not quite toddling yet. 
• Tried cow's milk. Seemed to like it the first day, but wasn't going for it the second day. Trying to decide if she just wasn't feeling well and wanted to snuggle. Hopefully she'll try it again soon, or weaning will be super fun. 
• Touched a snake at the zoo and a sting ray at the Houston aquarium
• Saw the ocean and LOVED the beach. She sat with her legs buried in sand for at least 20 minutes while she took mud out of a cup and put it back in. 
• Spilled red punch on the rug
• Got three more teeth (FINALLY), bringing the grand total up to 5
• Pretty much always feeds herself and does it very well. The only thing I feed her now is yogurt and milk. 

I wrote a better letter on the lovely blog today, so today this one will just be some updates about what you're like, which is so hard to boil down to a few paragraphs. You make the greatest faces and noises. You make us laugh every single day and I love it. 

CB, you are a sweetie. You love to hug - me, your dad, your stuffed animals, your aunts. Your Aunt Kristi was thrilled when you came over to her, handed her a ball, then climbed into her lap just to snuggle. It's delightful and I'm enjoying it. 

I really think that as soon as you care, you'll be all about walking, but right now you seem like you aren't sure you need it. You're so funny and careful about it, especially for someone who is not at all afraid of ocean waves splashing her face. 

I love watching you learn to communicate. You look for your dad when we walk past his office because you want to say hello. You even say hi before we enter rooms just in case someone might be there. You are not at all afraid of strangers, although sometimes you are a little shy (but delighted) when I take you to introduce you to someone. 

I'm starting the process of weaning (sort of) and I can't decide if I'll be more sad or you. My guess is that it will be me. 

I don't know how to tell you how much I have loved this first year of being your mommy. I hope someday you'll understand when you have your own kids. 

Love, 

Mama