Friday, May 15, 2009

Dear Elise, you're 18 months old...

Dear Elise,

WOW, a lot has changed in your life since I last wrote. You became a big sister – and what a big sister you are. I was so concerned about how you were going to handle a sibling, but I shouldn’t have been concerned at all. I think out of all of us, you’ve adapted the best! You are such a wonderful big sister – rocking Beckett in his swing, giving him a pacifier, putting blankets on him, sharing your dolls with him, and even putting your favorite pink shoes on him. I’m sure he appreciates it all. When he beats you up some day, just remember the pink shoes.

Beckett likes pink shoes (3)

It’s amazing to watch you grow and learn at this age. I love watching your little mind work; I almost feel like I can see your brain figuring things out. You love to carry lots of things at once, and as you can imagine, your little hands don’t hold quite as much as you’d like them to. When this happens, you either throw a temper tantrum (love those!) or figure out how to adjust the items so you can carry them all. You really are going to be an engineer like your Uncle Ben.

Your absolute favorite toys right now, however, are your dolls. You have two of them, and while they look nothing alike, you carry them around and treat them like twins. You even have to sleep with them, one under each arm. It’s very sweet to see how nurturing you are already. Grandma Jo gave you an antique doll cradle and bunk beds, and you love to put your babies in one and then the other. Then back in the original and then back in the other. Over and over again (doesn’t that ever get boring?). However, while you are becoming a little mother, you really aren’t so gentle with them. We hear you banging their heads into your crib rails at night in typical Elise fashion – you still are not the gentlest of children!

New baby carrier (7)

You’ve finally cut two molars on the top, and your language seems to be on the cusp of exploding. You try so hard to imitate what we are saying, but it doesn’t always come out quite as you want it to. You do know that “two” comes after “one”, and you are an expert at saying “yep” and “k” (as in okay), even when you don’t mean it. I have to tell you – that one is frustrating; if you say “yep” and I give you what you asked for, it’s annoying when you subsequently chuck it on the floor. Keep it up, and I’m going to teach you how to mop the floor, Cinderella.

Cutie

Despite the temper tantrums and near-constant whining, your cheesy grin, chubby thighs, and infectious giggle are three of the most wonderful things I’ve ever known. Every time I think I couldn’t possibly love you more, you get just a little bit cuter and make me fall in love with you a little bit more. Every time I think I couldn’t possibly be any more annoyed with you, you lean over and give me the sloppiest, but best kiss ever and erase any annoyance. Every time I think I couldn’t be any luckier, I just look at you and know that I am right. I love you, Mommy

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