Your daughter is so cute!

Dear Catalina,
We had our first major sick experience with you this week. We picked up a back pack carrier for you this weekend down in Phoenix and we were trying it out on Tuesday. We walked down to a local grocers with you riding on my back. Everything was fine until we reached the store. We were standing among the produce when I heard this unmistakable sound. I looked at your daddy and said, "is she throwing up?". He had this dumbfounded look on his face as he shook his head, yes. I said, "a lot?" and he said, "oh yeah". Poor little thing! You had vomit all over you! When we got home, you repeated your feat. It was so sad. We were very worried about you. Fortunately, a day of liquids and simple food seemed to fix you right up. It was still frightening for your poor parents--you seemed to handle it just fine!

The other thing I thought I'd write about is how often we get stopped by people who want to tell us how beautiful you are. We had a woman in Phoenix hold up a line of cars in order to smile and wave at you and tell us how cute you were! Today at the pool, one of the lifeguards said, "she is the most beautiful baby that comes in here". It's not just your parents, the whole world thinks you are adorable! Honestly, it's kind of freaking your dad out how many people make comments! You are quite the gorgeous one!

Love you sweetie,
Mommy

Sleep training

Dear Catalina,
We are entering a new phase in our parent-child relationship -- sleep training. You have always slept in our bed with us, but unfortunately this has meant endless feeding and harassing of your poor mommy. We've decided that this system isn't helping anyone so no more milk at night. Actually, you've handled it quite well. I expected endless howling and wailing, but that only seems to happen for an hour or so. After that you seem to be sleeping ok. I'm not sure why we didn't do this sooner!

In other areas, you're doing great. You are walking independently much more frequently. Twice now you've just taken off on me at the park. Its so cute. You even crawled some the other day. You're little personality is forming and you are starting to "tease" us a little. We'll tell you not to put something in your mouth and you will go ahead and act like you're going to do it anyway -- and then you flash us your cute little smile. It is aggravating and adorable all at the same time.

We went swimming on Easter down in Oak Creek Canyon. The water was so cold, but you just went charging in over and over! Then you wanted us to let you walk on a fallen log without help! You are clingy and independent all at the same time.

Well I'd better go get some stuff done before my long night of comforting you. Sleep tight my angel.
Mommy