17 Months

Cordy-bear,

You’ve been with us 17 months today. It’s hard to believe how big you are now, compared to just a year ago. You’ve always been on the big side, and you’re continuing to stay that way it seems.

You outgrew most of your 18 month clothing a few months ago, and now are inching your way into 2T. Of course, your head still requires a 4T hat.

In the past month, you’ve amazed us by your ability to count. No one remembers teaching you how to count to six; you seem to have picked it up on your own. Then I watch Noggin with you, and see your favorite friend, Moose A. Moose, counting forks and sides of shapes and ants.

Ah-ha! Moose taught you to count. You count right along with him, although you seem to have something against the number four. Half the time you neglect to put it between three and five. I guess you’re just very excited to get to fi-siih (all one word). Screw the experts who say TV only rots the brains of our youth – our TV is teaching you to count, and I’m right there to reinforce what you’re learning on Noggin.

Not to say that your favorite boy band is being ignored. Nothing can make you snap your head around faster than to have the Wiggles on TV. Your devotion to them is strong and unwavering.

In your top 5 most important things in life, they rank slightly beneath mommy and daddy, and just above food and your pink bunny lovey, although some days they seem to even rank above mommy and daddy.

This month has not been kind to you when it comes to head injuries. You are a skilled walker now, and what you lack in grace and coordination you make up for in speed. We wish you would slow down, but you have a need for speed. Chasing you three laps around the downstairs to wipe your nose helps build that endurance you seek. But speed has led to carelessness and injury, and we are sometimes embarrassed to take you out in public for fear that people will think we abuse you. You’re also interested in jumping now, and while you can’t get your feet off the ground, watching you try is adorable.

The sippy cup is still a battle. You carry it around and shove it in our faces to make us hold it so you can have a drink. While we’re glad you’ve taken to the sippy so well, we really wish you’d hold your own cup. This is getting old, fast.

I’ve tried holding your hands on the cup, which results in you throwing yourself to the ground in a tantrum of protest. I’ve tried not giving in, only to have you follow me around the house, sippy in hand, whining and thrusting it at me anytime I turn around. I keep hoping that one day you’ll pick the thing up and take a drink on your own. I don’t want to still be holding that cup for you when you’re in junior high.

Your newest obsession is dish towels. Once you learned to open the lowest kitchen drawer, and found stacks of towels in there, you’ve insisted on placing them where you think they need to be. This includes the steps, the kitchen floor, in front of the TV, on the cats, on your head, and in your mouth.

Occasionally you will place some of them back into the drawer, giving me hope that you will learn to clean-up soon, but then you quickly fling them back out onto the kitchen floor again. Ah well.

Seeing your personality develop this month has been amazing. You’re starting to really make the connection with communication, and will use any form of communication necessary to get your point across. Thankfully, you’ve resorted to screaming and whining less than you used to. You’re especially good during your alone time with daddy, and choose to hold in your true feelings until mommy is home.

You still aren’t fond of sleeping. Afraid you’ll miss the pony rides, I guess. While it frustrates me, your grandma laughs at your inability to nap. The words “just like your mom” are often heard between hearty chuckles. I guess I’m getting some kind of mommy retribution for how I was as a child. Don’t worry, I’ll try not to laugh (as much) when you have children who won’t sleep.

In all, I’m so enjoying see you grow and develop. You are strong-willed, but I wouldn’t want to change you for anything.

Your persistence and determination will serve you well as you get older and tackle new challenges.

Never lose that fire in your eyes, no matter how much I may beg you to in the future.

Love,
Mommy