I'm so sorry it's been so long since my last post. You haven't been a great sleeper lately, so I haven't had a lot of time in the evening. Earlier this month (er make that last month!) we took you for your first international trip. You were fabulous. We went to visit family in Scotland. You met lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles. Everyone was charmed by you. Hopefully I'll summarize our trip for you somewhere, but for now we have more serious matters. I am very concerned about 1) your fear of people and 2) your temper. You are so insecure around new people. If someone is standing between you and your father or I, you wail. It is quite disturbing. Your poor grandparents tried to babysit you one night while we were in Scotland. You did ok, for a while, but once you got tired and realized mommy and daddy were no where to be found--the fireworks started! You would only let your Poppa hold you--and the poor guy was hurt from a fall he'd taken earlier in the week! They actually had to break down and call me to come home--which I know killed them because they have always been telling me that you'd be fine if I just left you with them. I know we're to blame for not exposing you to more people, but you're not making it any easier to do so! Today, you hit me constantly--once so hard that i might have a bruise! I know you are changing by the day--maybe by the hour--and its hard for your little brain to keep up--but jeez!
Ok so I started that post quite a while ago (maybe a month). You still don't like strangers, but its gotten a tad bit better. The hitting has subsided. You also seem to have decided that mommy is ok after all. You used to only ask for daddy at night--and now, much to mommy's joy, you seem to prefer me sometimes (although Daddy still gets his fair share of attention). You still hit some, but only when I make you really mad by doing unbelievable things like changing your diaper or not giving you milk!
A few weeks ago, you actually pee-peed in the potty for daddy--well almost. You missed the potty and pee-peed on the bathroom floor--but it was close. You seem to be more mindful of the fact that the potty exists and that we would like you to use it. You've decided that you really hate diapers and put up quite a fuss whenever we try to put you in one. You become more of a little person every day. It is crazy to watch.
Last week we took our first long road trip with you. We went to San Diego so I could attend a conference. The drive was 8 hours long. On the way there, we spent the night at grandma's in Parker--breaking up the drive in two 5 hour stints or thereabouts. On the way back, we drove the entire way in one day (stopping briefly at grandma's to check out her kittens!). You did remarkably well. We only had to stop for you twice. You're growing up little munchkin! Soon maybe mommy and daddy can both ride in the front of the car!
Aww sweetheart, I need to try to post more often. Its hard to remember everything. Some cute things you do right now: we have a neighbor named Dave who has ALS. This means he is losing the ability to move his extremities and can no longer talk. He looks like a walking skeleton--and is really quite frightening. You agree because every time he tries to speak to you, you say, "no no no" and hug tightly to daddy or I. However, when you are in the house, you constantly say "Hi... (long pause), Dave" and point to his house. It is really funny. You say it all the time. Its kind of like your default way to say Hi or "I want to go outside". You also say "hi nana and poppa" a lot. You make some hilarious faces these days. You give great kisses--and try to give fishy kisses, but you end up showing your front teeth. I'll have to try to get a picture. One of my favorite things is you winking. Here is a video--its awesome!
Have I told you how gorgeous you are lately? The answer is yes, I tell you several times a day. It's so true though, darling, so true!
I'll try to post more often,
Loving you as always,
Mommy
