Mama's milk

Dear Catalina,
Well we have passed the two-year mark, and you have successfully (sort of) shed your diapers in favor of undies, learned to run, climb, and even ride your strider bike (just this week!) by yourself; but one thing we can't seem to dampen is your desire for "mommy milk".  Over the past year, I've set some deadlines in my head for when I will wean you, but most of those dates have come and gone.  I think deep down I really thought you would just lose interest.  But even after tasting chocolate, sweets, and even ice cream, it seems that still your favorite thing in the world is mommy milk.  Hard to believe that something you've eaten every day of your life could still cause you to get so excited -- you giggle and vibrate uncontrollably at night when i get ready to nurse you before bed.  How can I justify taking that away from you?  It was one of the first experiences you had in the outside world--one of the only things that has remained constant in your ever-changing world-I guess I can understand your desire to continue. 

But sweetie, I don't think I'm cut out to be one of those moms that nurses her 6-year old.  I think the time has come to start moving away from mommy milk.  Right now you only nurse right before bed and then some time early in the morning.  I can't decide if we should just go cold turkey or if I should start with one or the other.  Either way, its not going to be easy.  I just wanted to apologize now.  Know that I love you...always.
Mommy

Holy smokes you're two!

Dear Catalina,
Today is your second birthday.  I can't believe it!  It is so hard to remember what you were like when you were first born or even at your first birthday!  You are such a joy right now.  You crack me up on a daily basis.  I apologize that today wasn't exactly a great birthday.  We marked it with a visit to the doctor.  You weren't too happy with the prospect of going to the doctor.  I'm always so amazed that you even understand what the doctor is, but you certainly knew it wasn't somewhere you wanted to be.  You're always pretty shy, but you were absolutely terrified.  I won't win any best mother contests for putting you through that on your birthday.  I'm sorry.

So what are you all about these days?  Let's see...  you like to watch our facial expressions change so you say things like, "I don't love mommy" at which point I tell you I'm sad and make a pouty face.  Then you say, "I DO love mommy" and then I smile.  You then say, "Mommy's happy".  It is a game repeated almost daily.  You also sometimes tell me you don't love me when you are angry with me.  I have to tell you, its really heart breaking!

You've also been into giving things names (none of which stick).  Well I should say you've been into making me give things names.  You'll say, "what's the cow's name?"  I'll say"Cora" or something and you'll agree.  Two minutes later you'll ask me again and when I reply,"Cora" you'll say no and we'll have to go through a list of named until you find one you like.

For some reason you also lover to play with the,"mousie" which is just my hand (or daddy's) with our fingers pinched together.  You have a very active imagination!  Oh yes, lately you've also been pretending that you are a dog.  You had me throwing sticks for you at the park today which made some folks stare!

We just got back from a last minute trip to Hawaii.  You loved playing in the sand (like most kids do).  You weren't so big on the ocean, but you sure did love the sand.  It was a nice trip.  I think you're favorite part was just getting to hang out with both mommy and Daddy at the same time.  That and seafood, which you seem to love.  Strange because I can't stand it!  Speaking of eating, we had an unfortunate incident at a sushi restaurant in Hawaii.  Daddy and i were distracted by something and you decided to help yourself to the wasabi that was on the table.  You started screaming and i looked over and you must have stuck both hands in it and stuffed them in your mouth.  We frantically wiped it off your hands and out of your mouth.  The owner delivered some plain white rice to help.  You cried for a good while.  When things finally settled in your sinuses, you said, "Wasabi is spicy, not avocado."  We got a good laugh at that.  Now anytime you see something green and smashed, you ask if its wasabi.  Poor little thing!

Well baby, you're asleep on my stomach right now so i should probably stop waking you up by typing on the phone.  I love you darling.
Always and forever,
Your mommy