Who needs sleep?

Dear Catalina,

This is a picture of you and your bestest bud, our kitty Bisu.  You two pretty much enjoy all the same things--balls, shoe laces, the whisk.  It is adorable.  That cat just follows you around all day long.  Unfortunately, he also tries to climb into your crib with you at night--and usually wakes you up in the process.  Very frustrating for us.

Speaking of sleeping--you're not very good at that lately.  It seems like we're in your room comforting you about every 20 minutes after we put you to bed.  Daddy's had to hold you in order to get you to nap during the day.  Worst thing for me is that sometimes when I come in to "comfort" you, all you do is look past me for Daddy!  Awwww.  I so want to be the one that comforts you, but that's just not meant to be I guess.  It used to be that you would end up cuddling with me at night, but now you really just want Dad.  It makes me sad, but at the same time I have been getting a lot more sleep.

Your walking is improving, however.  These days you would rather walk holding just one of our hands rather than two.  You also crawled for about a foot today!  Whoopee!  Maybe you'll crawl after all.  

The last post from your daddy talked about how different you are now.  Its so true.  You have a mind of your own for sure--and that's a good thing.  Even though sometimes its a little inconvenient for us.  You and I had a great day yesterday--we went out to the pet supply store.  We like to look at the fish, birds, rodents, and reptiles.  Its kind of like a mini zoo.  Then you had to play with every dog toy--just to check it out.  You were sitting there with one in your mouth when this woman walked by and gave us a strange look.  I said, "he he--it so happens that dog toys and baby toys are remarkably similar."  She laughed uncomfortably.  I hope you don't mind that I let you chew on dog toys.  They were new--I promise!  Although you and Rizo and Bisu all share toys at home.  You don't seem to mind at all. :-)

Today I had you standing in your little Pack n Play while I warmed up lunch.  A good song from my childhood came on (can't remember what it was) and I was singing and dancing to you.  You were bouncing along and had absolutely the most gorgeous smile on your face.  Seriously, kid, sometimes you take my breath away with how beautiful you are.  Like your father says, we get compliments on how cute you are all the time.  Its not just because we're your parents--you really are a very cute baby.  If there is one thing I would like to teach you as you grow up its to be happy with who you are and how you look.  So many young girls end up hating their appearances--I know, I was one.  It is really crippling to be negative about yourself.  I hope you can avoid it.  Even if it gives you a big head, I'm going to keep telling you how beautiful you are.

Love you so so much.

As always,

Mommy