2009!

Kaia-boo,

I can't believe a whole year has come and gone - you've been hanging out with me and your Papa for 17 whole months (not counting the 9 before that). The past couple of months have really been remarkable, and sometimes I swear there's a single day where you grow an inch (they say that can really happen) or make some huge leap developmentally. Just today you helped me stack the top bock on the tower at least 4 or 5 times before you had to knock it over, and put the bee together in the bug puzzle (well, OK, you replaced one piece that got knocked out of whack, but still) all by yourself.

The language capability is really leaping ahead too. You're putting two words together a lot (bye bye eeegg, when you finish the last bite, or mama, poo poo when you need a new diaper), and naming loads of things. My favorite is the "what does the garbage truck say?" - "Beep." But you know and can say duck, neigh, quack, moo, baa, oink, apple, banana, noodle, ham, water, ice cube, tea, nose, ear, eye, toes, knee, mama, dada, gigi, mimi and pop, daisy, mugsy, muppets, bottle, book, beads, ball, baby, and probably a bunch more I can't remember right at the moment. You also understand practically everything we say to you, and we're now trying to be extra careful not to swear around you (there are several words that I do NOT want you adding to the list above).

We're also trying (operative word) to move you from a bottle to a sippy cup. Although you have no trouble at all drinking from a sippy cup, when you are tired you REALLY want the bottle, and make your displeasure at not getting what you want very clear. We're trying to be consistent though, although it does break my heart to think that you just don't have any idea why we won't just give you the bottle when it's RIGHT THERE on the counter, mama! Truth is, I am really nervous about trying to get you to give up the bottle at naptime and bedtime, since I think those are going to be really rough. But I also don't want you having tooth problems early in your life, so we need to make the switch!

You had a great christmas, and you seem to really like the diner your dad and I got you. You also love the shopping cart from Georgann! It's been a really nice couple of months, Boo. I love you a ton,

Mama