Dear Sweetie,
You turned thirteen months old last Friday. You are getting so big, so fast, that I can hardly believe my eyes. Now, you like to walk almost all the time, usual crawling only when you're tired. As the weather is improving, it's time for sandals for your busy little feet.
We had a shoe fashion show in our kitchen last night, with Daddy and I trying little sandals on your feet. You'd take a step or two, and then sit down and reach out to your foot, to see what the new thing at the end of your leg was. Baby Tevas, Mini Crocs, tiny Keens...each are so cute and you inspected them in turn. In the end, you were getting tired and decided to go barefoot.
I'm looking forward to having shoes for your feet that I can hose off, literally. We've been spending lots of time outside, now that the weather has improved. And one of your favorite things to do is play in the grass, inspect the mulch, touch the plants...and taste the soil. More than once I've turned around to see you with a little dirty mouth, tiny teeth shining through as you laughed from the belly.
Every night this week, you've had a tough time settling down at night. I think it's the excitement of the warm weather and later sunsets. It's harder to go to bed when you might be missing something. We've taken bedtime yard walks once you're in your sleeper, clean from the bath. It's one of the few times during the day you like to be held, now that you are an official toddler. But each night, you've snuggled in as we quietly walk around the backyard in the twilight, touching the birdhouse, the lilac blooms, the leaves. You seem to relax a little better afterwards...and are ready to sleep once you're back in your crib.
It's been a good thirteenth month. I saw a newborn today and was amazed at his tiny size. For a moment, I missed that smallness. You're so big now, so active, that I have a hard time remembering that you were ever that small. But I love the bigger, larger than life, busier, happier, louder you.
Love, Momma
