Running with a Purpose

Dear Babyjama,

It's been quite a while since I tried writing one of these letters to you. Lately you've been doing so many cute things that I can't resist documenting a few of them. In the past couple of days you have started requesting that I help you put on certain items of clothing, as if you are playing dress up. You point and shriek at whatever item it is. Yesterday it was your baby-sized college hoodie with your eyelet sweater over the top...have I mentioned that you have style?

I'm amazed every day with how much language you are picking up. Your words are still few, but when I say cheese you run to the fridge, and if we talk about changing your diaper you run to get a rag (even though you can't reach them yet), and talking about brushing your teeth gets a huge grin and a purposeful walk into the kitchen (even if you clamp your jaws shut when I actually try and brush).

Oh yes, and then there are your big girl activities. Today while daddy and I worked on dinner you sat yourself in your rocker and read from Rolling Stone...It must have been very funny because you couldn't stop giggling. Tonight I was talking to your daddy about your sling, and you brought it over to me so that you could put your baby in it and wear her around. After a couple of tries, we switched to your bear in the sling since baby is still just a little to big for you to carry around. I couldn't help myself and took tons of pictures of you carrying the bear around and will have to post them here when I'm not so tired. Your conversational skills improve every day, and although I only understand a fraction of what you say, your intonation and facial expressions let me know that all conversations with you are matters of great importance.

Speaking of talking, you have begun to use your first two word combination. "No Leo" is your new anthem. You say it to Leo at appropriate times, and not so appropriate times, and sometimes I'm positive that it's a demonstration that you're not the lowest (wo)man on the totum pole.

Finally, I'd just like to say that although you are a woman on a mission most of the day, fists clenched by your side as you tilt forward and run headlong into each activity, or as you almost skip along with your arms curled in like little bouncing wings, you take so much time out of your busy schedule to cuddle with your mama. I appreciate every sweet little pat, every sideways smile given with a half shrug, and all the sweet kisses complete with a "mwah" from you.

I love you baby girl,
Mama