Mommy Kahdib

Dear Chase (23 months),

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Hi Big Man,

I can't believe you are going to be two next month. Crazy how fast time flies. I was so so excited to see what an amazing big brother you were going to be...you're so kind and gentle to all the tiny babies you know...someday, someday. You've been the sweetest little boy this week when mommy has been sad. If you see me cry you pucker your lips and give me a kiss...and you also gave me your cold...but the kisses are worth it. You give me nice long hugs and pat my back for me. You snuggle in bed and whisper to me that you are going nigh-nigh and then you'll close your eyes for a very long time and pretend that you are asleep. This is one of your favorite ever games...sometimes your eyelids flicker because you're struggling to keep them closed...but for the most part you would win and eyes closed contest hands down.

You're talking more and more and putting funny funny phrases together. It's so interesting to hear you talk because while it is not full sentences you get your point across so well. Something like this is very very frequent...."Mama, Dadda, Chase want oatmeal, yea, mmmhhhmmm!" Or, "Lala, NO, BOP (stop), No, LALA!" You can definitely say Emmie but still prefer to call her Lala. She doesn't mind :) She even talks about herself in the third person to you as Lala...if you have something she wants she'll say to you, "Ok, Chasey, give it to Lala." If she has something you want you go over and very politely say, "Done?" Which really means, "Can I have a turn when you're done?" If she continues to play you'll patiently sit and ask, "Done? Done?" every few seconds until you get your turn. Oh, and back to the oatmeal...you want it for every.single.meal. Sometimes we'll put actual dinner down in front of you and you can see your face crumple...it's like you were expecting oatmeal and how dare we put lasagna in front of you. You're very dramatic and this will sometimes lead to you groaning and softly weeping while you put your head down on the table and says, "No, no, no dat...no."

You still love love love motocycles (lolos) , cars, trucks, airplanes, bicycles...really anything with wheels is awesome in your book. You also love to have Emmie put makeup on your and have her paint your toes with sparkles. You'll take your shoes and socks off for anyone who wants to see your sparkles. You're also a monkey. You can climb like no other and I'll often find you places I never could have imagined...and you're very good at pulling a chair over to hoist yourself up in case something is too high. Nothing is going to stop you in this big big world.

You have discovered books (finally) and ask for them all the time. You love flap books, books with buttons, books with trucks...and it is helpful for times like now when we need to sit with the nebulizer (darn cold) for 10-20 minutes and you'll just sit in the rocking chair with the neb in your mouth and we'll read and read and read. You're not a big fan of having your teeth brush but always appreciate the high five at the end...you have the top four teeth, the bottom two, and two back molars in the top...so it's not like it takes a long time to brush them. You're also not a fan of having your hair rinsed...but again...you like the high five at the end and smile at me like you were never protesting to begin with. It's funny because you are a very big fan of the bath. You love to "swim" and splash and get your face wet...I think the hair thing must just be about the control. You like being in control and you are definitely a boy who knows what he wants and will let us know when we are getting in the way of your plans with a big big grunt or a very firm, "No, NOT!" You're in a funny stage of attachment where you're sad when we leave you with anyone other than mommy or daddy...but I know for a fact you're only sad for a little bit and then you do great when we're gone. I'll tell you beforehand that mommy and daddy have someplace to go and you'll very sweetly say, "No, not." Like you can determine that we do not in face need to leave you and go shoot a wedding. Funny guy :)

You really are so much fun to be around and to play with and laugh with...the other day we were dancing to "Stevie S. - Hold Your Head" which is a Carribean song daddy and I fell in love with on our honeymoon (music has been cheering us up this week) and you were wiggling your shoulders up and down with this huge grin on your face and making me laugh and laugh. Then that was making you laugh and laugh. If I shook my head you shook yours...if I touched my shoulders you touched yours. You'll often just walk to the middle of the room and do a little wiggle and a spin dancing to the music in your head. You like to just go off on your own and explore and find things to play with. You really are a light in our lives and a joy to be around and your smile is infectious!! You're napping now but maybe when you wake up you'll do a video for me with your more than adorable animal sounds :)

I love you Chasey-racey-roo!

Momma