You – at 16 months

You walk fearlessly towards what you want. I love that about you. But it terrifies me!

You love to laugh. Loud and in people’s faces!

You learn words so quickly! You repeat almost anything we say. Sometimes it sticks. Usually it’s an odd word like “garbage.” Go figure.

You have mastered pointing and naming most of your body parts – eyes, ears, nose, head, teeth, feet, toes, belly, belly button (Thank you, Sandra Boynton!)

You love slides. You figured out in about 2 days that you can turn yourself around to go backwards on your belly. Smart boy!

You understand what a boo-boo is. (Makes mommy sad!). Because you’ve officially had two of them now. (Scraped arm, scraped elbow.)

You understand you have cousins. You love them! You try to say their names! One day you’ll succeed!

You kiss mommy and daddy goodbye. Over and over. Little lips pursed out for our kisses in return.

Your legs are sturdy and carry you where you want to go. Which is everywhere.

You study situations. Gravely regarding people and places with interest until you’ve figured out what they mean for you.

You’re getting your 4th molar. But still don’t like to chew your food.

You love to read. “rweed, rweed!” is your favorite refrain. You sit through the majority of a book now.

Your favorite book lately is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. I love this book, too!

You have learned to say, “No!” And you love it.

You give high fives. As if you’ve been doing it your whole life.

You think everything is a car. Except airplanes. You know they are “ah’pane!”

You look for kitty-cats everywhere. Especially at grandma’s. You call him by saying, “Me-ah-ow!”

You snuffle when you see a dog. (Thank you, Sandra Boyton. Again!).

You bring me flowers. Even if they are the fake plastic ones from my living room decor. You proudly present them by saying, “F’ower!”

You bring us great joy. Every day. Every moment. Every baby step, baby breath, baby word.

You.

We. Love. You.