December 19, 2008

Dear Sarah,

This month you have utterly and completely dropped your second nap. We're down to one hopefully big mid-day nap. Thus why I am even able to get some words on the screen for you this month. And while I look forward to your nap time, while I plan things for you nap time, while I sometimes count the hours until your nap time, I have to confess that I miss you when you're napping. I miss you when you're asleep at night. Don't get me wrong - DON'T STOP SLEEPING! - but I do miss your screeching, 200MPH cruising, portering little self when you're not in the mix. I miss chewing on your tasty cheeks and I miss squishing your perfect little feet in my hands. And while I love when you take a nice long nap, there is a little part of me that lifts up when I hear the MA! MA! MA! MA! MA! from up in your room that signals that you have woken from your slumber and you're ready to get things going again.

You saw snow for the first time this month. While you were really fired up when you saw a wintery wonderland out of the kitchen window, you were resolutely unimpressed when I took you out in it. This could have had something to do with the ridiculous get-up I had you in: snow pants, Nanuk of the North coat, boots that were improperly put on. You could hardly even waddle. You won't wear mittens because it precludes access to your thumb so your little paws are perpetually frozen and your boots had a tendency to fall off. All in all, a rough start. But as we live in New England I am sure that there will be many another opportunity to introduce you to the white stuff. Mama will try and get your boots on properly next time!

We finally took you to get your hair cut properly this month. I had been meaning to do it for quite some time but we just didn't get around to it. I guess having hair in your eyes doesn't rank as high as keeping you and your brothers clean and fed. You were extremely suspicious about the whole undertaking from having your hair sprayed wet, to the scissors, to the creepy animated hair cutting creatures that were on the TV screen designed to keep you entertained. You were trying to make the best of it though and only wimpered at the end when the scissors were right in your face. Couldn't blame you really! You now look very much like the little girl that you are.

Your favorite food at present is bananas. You eat upwards of three a day. We are going out several times a week to get you bananas. Eventually, we'll get smart and buy a whole bunch of them. I am expecting that any day your over consumption of bananas will cause you to begin dancing around the house with an excessive head piece made entirely of fruit on your head singing the Chiquita banana song.

You seem to be getting used to the existence of your brothers. You pilfer their pacifiers, poke their eyes and noses and pat them perfunctorily when prompted. Sometimes though you'll lean over to them while they're in the swing or on their mat and give them a little kiss. Even more rarely, you'll do it when you think that no one is looking.

Small changes seem to cause you great agitation. We put cover on the knobs to the stove to keep you from asphyxiating us all by turning on the gas. This isn't just another random fear of mine, you have been known to turn the knobs so it was time to cover them up. I did it during your nap and when you woke up and saw them you were FURIOUS. You shouted NO NO NO!!! and started bashing them. However, all was well when you just heaved the whole thing off, knob, safety cover and all. Once the offending cover was removed - never mind the knob - you were satisfied. I was too because you still couldn't turn on the gas stove. We couldn't either but whatever. Clearly those "Safety First" people have never seen the likes of you.

We have been slowing weaning you off of your bottle. Yes, you're 19 months old and you still have bottles. It has been a busy year! At the beginning of the month you were down to three. One in the morning when you wake up, one before nap and one before bed. I was hemming and hawing about how to drop the nap bottle when you just did it for me by refusing to take any milk from it. So easy. Foolishly, I thought the rejection applied to all bottles and provided you milk (warm even!) in a sippy cup in the morning. I guess that one is going to take a little bit more time to drop, the massive welt on my forehead shaped like a sippy cup kind of says it all.

This whole toddler thing is a whole new ball game. You are sharper, more fun, more demanding and more destructive than ever! Every day you learn how to do new things and I try to enjoy every minute. However, things are tiring right now, there's a lot to do, not all of it particularly enjoyable. I feel guilty for not delighting in every minute of your toddlerness. But, I know that you're okay with that. Even if I fall down on the job, if I can't read you the book that you want right. this. minute. you come back again and again, with hugs, requests, and more opportunities to delight in the one and only you. Thank you.

Love,
Mama