21 Months Old

My dearest Luke,

How is it that you are 21 months old?? Closer to 2 than 1. I can hardly believe it. Sometimes I look at you and think how big you are, compared with the little newborn we would swaddle, who couldn't hold up his head and who would spit up multiple times a day. Other times, I think how little you are, a miniature version of a man, in your Calvin Klein jeans, brown leather shoes, and button down checkered shirts. You somehow just keep getting cuter. I am feeling the passage of time as we anticipate the arrival of another little one in about 6 months. I know things are going to change for all of us in a big way, in a wonderful way. We will have so many special times as a family of 4 and I will find it hard to remember life without your little brother or sister. Yet, I cherish these days I have with you alone because they are precious. You are my first little love and my heart just gets bigger for you. I think you know that, even in your own way. With me is your favorite place to be, and I love that.

So, at 21 months...

You throw things when you are mad. I will tell you not to do something, you will calmly look around, walk over to pick something up, and throw it on the floor in protest. Then, after you've thrown the object, you will add some noise to your tantrum.

You are practicing eating with a fork and a plate. You need help getting the food on the fork, but then you know what to do with it from there. You LOVE it when we give you the plate of food instead of just pushing some food from the plate onto your tray.

You like to clean up and even sing the clean up song. "Een-uh, een-uh (clean up clean up... everybody everywhere). SO cute!

You now know how to sign for "more, please" although sometimes you just do "please," so it's still work to get you to consistently remember both parts of the phrase. Sometimes, when prompted, you also sign "thank you."

You still adore your bear and love to watch Praise Baby.

You understand so many things. I'll say we're going to go on a walk, and you run to your stroller. I'll say we're going to get in the car, and you run to the back door. Upstairs, you run to me to pick you up and take you upstairs. Laundry, you run to the laundry room, etc.

You have found your belly button. :)

You are giddy when you get to roll around on the bed. When the comforter is on the floor and I'm changing the sheets, you will run and dive on to the comforter in hysterics and roll around laughing.

You get to facetime with Nana and Papa or Honey and Grandpa most nights after your bath, while Daddy waits for you to have a stinky. Too bad you prefer to do this after your bath most nights...

You reach for me every night to put you in bed. You sit in my lap while I read you a story and Daddy brushes your teeth. Now that you're getting so heavy and I'm pregnant, Daddy picks you up out of my lap, then hands you back to me. If I'm in the room, you don't want anyone laying you in that crib, but me.

We love you so much, little Luke, and thank God for the wonderful gift you are to us.

Love,
Mommy