19 months and Holding!

Dear Katie -

I am finally all caught up on my delinquent posts and can get around to posting about 19 months! I missed the 18 month official post, perhaps subconsciously because that was a hard milestone for me. I can't believe how fast time has gone by and how much you've changed, even just over the last few months. Our relationship seems to be changing some too. At present, Mommy is not your favorite person. I am sure this has to do with the increase in discipline around the house, but it still hurts! It hurts to have you cling to Grandma SueSue in the afternoons when I am coming home from work and want nothing more than to hold you for a few brief moments. But I know this is just a phase. I remember one of the pediatricians I used to work for telling me that "if you give a child everything they want, then you're not giving them everything they need." I have to remember this when I want to get back in your good graces by letting you get away something that wouldn't normally be allowed.

I constantly tell myself to be intentional about the few hours I get to spend with you daily, but something else always seems to get my attention and I find myself watching you from a distance while I do laundry or make dinner or do dishes. I need to remember that those things will be there after you go to sleep and just soak you up and actually PLAY WITH YOU. But enough about me, and on to you, my precious Katherine!

You have the most infectious laugh. When I hear it, I can't help but laugh back. You're a tough crowd and it takes a really good tickle or something super funny to get a true cackle from you, but when it happens - hold on because it's fantastic. You also have such fun hair. It's curly and we assume you got that from Daddy because mine is super straight. It gets even curlier in the Columbia humidity and I see myself having to buy you a Chi straightener as middle school rolls around!

You love to see how things work. You're so inquisitive and as my mom says, "you don't miss a lick." Every morning when I get you from your crib, you point at everything I have on from bracelet to earrings to shoes. You always notice when something in the house has changed (usually while you slept). You know when we've hung a new picture or put something in a different place. This morning, their was a huge pile of toys in the middle of the living room and somewhere in that pile was a new sand toy. You spotted the toy all the way from your high chair and couldn't eat breakfast until you got down and inspected the new contraption! You are a joy to watch as you explore new things. You get the biggest kick out of spraying water or spraying air. You love the sprinklers and getting right up to the stream of water. You love the standing fan in your room and you run up to it and the squeal with laughter as it blows your hair!

You genuinely seem to like sports. We're not trying to push anything on you (although I'd like get you a pink soccer ball). You love to pick up any kind of ball and have us explain what to do with it. You used to love getting daddy's football out of the garage and just walk around with it. Here's a picture of you playing some basketball which I am sure warms your father's heart. You seem to know that a soccer ball or beach ball wouldn't go in this hoop and only put a basketball in it.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times - You love the outdoors. Give you a stick and some room to run and you're content. You could care less if you fall and scrape your knee or get dirty. I've never seen you want to go back inside after being outside. We always go in once we've reached our limit with the heat or bugs. We bring you in and your face is beat red and you're exhausted and filthy, but you love it!

You have become very aware of the camera lately. You will hold still and pose and even smile for me a lot when the camera is out. You love to run over to me after the picture and see what it looked like...you point at yourself and are so tickled at being able to see it!

You certainly have a sweet tooth. I know you don't get that from me at all. Your father is to blame/thank for that. Once you've seen sweets, put the rest of the food away because you're not having any of it! If one of us is eating something sweet, we are all of a sudden best friends and you want to be right next to us to get some bites for yourself.

You're still not talking very much but your brain seems to understand and do so much other stuff. I have tried to let go of the talking and just enjoy the quiet a little longer. You have at least started babbling more and it is so precious - I can't wait to hear your voice as you start talking to me.

You're doing great on growth - your weight and height are in the 35th and 53rd percentiles. Most of your clothes are 12-18 months but we have tons of 9-12 month dresses we are still making good use of!

You have 12 teeth: 4 top, 4 bottom, 4 molars...And all 4 of your incisors have officially broken through.

My absolute favorite time of day with you is right when you wake up. You lay down on our bed and we watch some cartoons before I have to finish getting ready. You're so snuggly and you laugh a little easier and a little more often then. As much as it makes it easier for me to get ready in the morning if you sleep in, it kills me if I have to leave for work before you get up and I miss that morning time with you.

I love everything about you Katie. You are the most precious child and you were created as the perfect fit for your daddy and me. I love seeing what each day brings our way as a family and getting to do new things with you all the time. You are my sunshine, for sure!