Mommy Kahdib

Emmie Letter (20 months)

Hi M'nM,

20 months seems so...I dunno...old! How did it happen? Where did the time go? We went to a photographer's meeting last night in Boston and there was this tiny little squishy newborn there who must have been a week old or so and it got me thinking to when you were born...20 months ago. That is almost two years! It is crazy, child. You have such a personality now. You know what you like, you know what you don't like, and you know how to tell me what you want to do and when you want to do it. You're only 32 inches tall but you act like a 3 year old in speech and action. Just this morning you said to your baby, "Come here, baby, I'll hold you..." and walked her into your room to pick out a book all while patting her head.

You still love to eat, but often you don't have time for that nonsense and would rather just grab a banana and gobble it down in about 25 seconds....literally. I should get it on video. You ate a carton of blueberries yesterday when I got distracted on the phone...you wanted them, I sat you at your tray, handed you the carton, watched you put a handful in your mouth and the next thing I knew they were gone. Don't get me wrong, you love fruit, but you also love ice cream and can scarf down pepperoni (you call it mac-a-no-knee) like it is going out of style...but for the most part you like pretty healthy foods--like eggs (erghm...with...ketchup) and fruit and veggies galore. For some reason, though, you've decided that you don't like chicken, pork, or any meat really except for mac-a-no-knee...but you get plenty of protein from eggs, yogurt, cheese and milk...you just don't know what you're missing!

You have the most amazing memory. Whenever you are crying I can usually just say, "Hey, what did we do today...?" and you'll calm down and I can see your little wheels spinning...you usually give me a good list of things--"Mothergoose, blow bubbles...through tunnel...saw Zoe..." and then I have to add things to the list...if I go quiet you'll say, "What else, Mommy?" This often happens when I'm putting you to bed at night and you're not too keen on the idea...we read books, turn out the light, listen to your bedtime CD and rock...sometimes you squirm and fuss and we have to talk about the day...other times you're just fine and fall asleep within minutes. I usually close my eyes too so you know that I'm tired...and you reach up and stroke my face and say, "Night-night, Mommy, sweet dreams..." It melts my heart everytime. You have your sweet and tender moments...and then you have your bossy moments...in the morning I usually go and get you when you call me and bring you to bed to snuggle and talk or watch Curious George...sometimes you have better ideas (like going to play with your little people or eat breakfast...) and you'll demand, "GET UP, Mommy!" Those are the days I wish your vocabulary weren't so big...but I guess I would rather that than you grunting at me and crying because I didn't understand...

Funny faces!!

One thing we need to work on this month is sharing...it is not the end of the world when another child looks at your toys and *gasp* touches them...or even HOLDS them! I promise, if it is yours, you can have it back when they are done with it in about 2.2 seconds. Instead you look at me and I can see your heart break, your lip goes out, tears well up in your eyes, and you cry thinking that you'll never have Pat the Bunny again...that Zoe has taken him for good...it is hard not to laugh, but I know in your tiny world this is a big deal. So I reassure you that it will be your turn soon...hopefully when it starts to happen more and more you'll know that I'm telling the truth.

You're getting excited about your little brother...we talk a lot about what will happen when he gets here. He'll cry when he is hungry and he'll drink milk (you think he'll like oranges) and we'll have to rock him and sing to him and change his diaper and give him naps...I know it will be an adjustment after being the only child for 22 months when he gets here, but you're laid back and pretty easy going so even though I'm sure there will be some bumps I'm confident you're going to be a great sister!

Thats all for now, little chicken! I love you!

Mommy