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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Letter to Anna: 17 months.

Anna, My little Anna Banana.  I can't believe you're already 17 months.  17 months have passed since you came into my life.  17 months of worry and tears and hugs and kisses and absolute joy.  17 months of diaper changes and baby baths and bruised knees.  17 months that I wouldn't trade for all the riches in the world. 

I just stare at you in absolute awe of everything you've already accomplished.  The milestones you've hit, the cute little things you do, the sweet way you give every stuffed animal a hug and kiss.  The little curls in your hair.  Your long eyelashes and huge, blue eyes.  Sometimes I can't believe that God chose us to be your parents - how blessed we are that you were picked for us. 

My little banana head, look at how cute you are...
  • You've learned to jump, but you're only comfortable jumping while you're in the bath tub.  This is a tad bit scary for me since you've picked the most slippery place in the house, but as long as I hold your hands, you feel safe enough to jump up and down to your heart's content. 
  • You love taking baths.  As soon as I say, "bath" you jump up from whatever you're doing and run into the bathroom shouting, "Baaaaa, Baaaaa?"  You would play in the tub for hours if I'd let you - even if the water turned cold.  You enjoy splashing enough water on the walls to cause mold problems later, and you like to give kisses through the clear shower curtain. 
  • You have eleventy billion teeth now.  I'm really not sure how many teeth you have since you freak out and cause a scene anytime I try to go near your mouth.  I know you have two top teeth (gapped like a woodchuck) and two bottom. Your molars and incisors are still coming through.  This would explain the buckets of drool and unusual fussiness.  You also hate brushing your teeth.  We try our best, but some nights your teeth only get a short brush.  I promise you that if you DO have cavities one day,  I will not cap your teeth in silver. 
  • You are a very picky eater.  You used to down everything we put in front of you, but now you pick and choose what you want and discard the rest.  You've decided that your high chair is just too darn restrictive, so now you eat on the run.  I've resorted to putting your food in a bowl since this seems to be the only way you'll eat lately, but even now you're getting tired of that.  I'm not sure if it's the teething or what, but I hope this phase ends quickly.  I don't want a malnourished child!
  • You're quickly approaching the terrible two phase of development, so we're not as "free" as we once were to go out to eat and spend long amounts of time away from home.  You are very strong-willed, so if you don't feel like sitting in a booster seat or high chair at a restaurant, you won't.  When we try to force the issue, you have a melt-down.  I was expecting this phase, so I'll roll with it.  Mommy still loves you.  However, I hope my sweet lil' Anna comes back soon!
  • You love animals - cats and dogs.  You're getting more comfortable around Cosmo the dog and Harley and Chloe the cats.  They're getting more comfortable around you, too.  Cosmo is a gentle giant - he loves when you're around him.  He sits there and takes a lot of abuse.  The cats do, too.  They know you're going to grow up to be an animal lover just like me.
  • You love being around a lot of people, but it takes you a while to warm up.  If we go somewhere for a get together or holiday function, you cling to me initially, but after a few minutes, you are running around all over the place.  I enjoy those first few moments of quiet and relaxation - not something that I'm used to these days now that you're more mobile and vocal.
  • You love to spin in circles while waving your arms in the air.  I assume you learned this from Yo Gabba Gabba since it looks like a move you'd see at Woodstock.  You also like to walk backwards and to the side.  You're very cautious when you walk backwards - you go very slowly until you bump into something that makes you stop.  Then you laugh. 
  • You are no longer afraid of grass.  You like going outside and walking through the yard as close to the street as I will allow.  If I say, "Outside" or "Bye Bye" you immediately walk to the door and try to open it yourself.  Then when we come back inside, you're not a happy camper.  You will whine until I turn on Yo Gabba Gabba.  Then you're fine.  You're very easy to please.
  • You can clearly say the following words: Hey, Mama, Dada, Ball, Dot, Dog.  You're still trying to say the following words: bath, eat, cat, hello and thousands of other words that only a mama would know what you meant when you babble them.  I know you're right on the edge of a huge word explosion, and it's going to be so much fun talking to you and listening to what you have to say.  I have a feeling you're going to be a witty little thing.  You got it honest.
  • You are an excellent sleeper.  You have been sleeping through the night for a very long time.  Your bedtime is around 8:30 - 9 p.m., and you sleep until 9 - 10 a.m.  Most nights you don't wake up or make a single peep.  You still take at least one nap per day (sometimes two) for two to three hour spans.  I think you got your sleep gene from dad. 
  • You are weaing size 5 (almost 6) shoes.  You are in size 18 months and are quickly creeping up to 24 months (2T).  I picked up a 2T shirt at Target the other day and realized it would fit you.  That made me a little sad knowing that my baby girl is getting so big so quickly. 
  • You still have to carry your best friend Dot with you wherever you go.  Now we have two Dots - Dot 1 and Dot 2.  I decided to order another Dot just incase the first Dot got lost.  Well, you know the difference between the two - you can't be fooled.  You will only use Dot 2 if Dot 1 is unavailable, and even then you're not a big fan.
There's so much more, but it would take years for me to write about all of the cute things that you do and how much joy you've brought to our lives.  We cherish you and love you so much and thank God daily for blessing our little family with someone as special as you.

Love you,
Mom

March 2010 074Showing off your fabulous side-eye!

March 2010 075Little dimple cheeks!  

March 2010 078
March 2010 080
March 2010 082

7 comments:

Jen E. said...

omg, i think i would die of happiness if my child ever slept as much as anna does! that's amazing!

and too cute that she will wear all those adorable bows in her hair that you buy her. my alison had about the same amount of hair at her age (and not a whole LOT more now at 3 yrs! haha) and I couldn't get a bow or headband to stay in her hair for more than 3 seconds before it got yanked out!

happy 17 months!

nbjenni said...

What precious pictures - I wish my girls would keep bows/bands on their heads.

Jenna said...

What a cutie pie! Her hair is really starting to get long!

Kristin said...

She is so stinkin adorable!

Mandy Ford Art & Illustration said...

She is such a doll Nat - you are truly blessed! :)

Lyndsay said...

I can't believe how much Anna sleeps! :) I also can't believe her shoe size; Amelia is barely wearing a siee 4. She doesn't get her tiny feet from me. :)

mWa said...

Perfect - both of you! XO

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