14 months

Dear Rita Marie,
Tomorrow you turn 14 months. You started to walk last week. First taking one or two steps then deciding it was much faster for you to drop and crawl. Now you walk across the living room. You have an expression on your face that is priceless. It says "I can't believe I'm doing this! Did you see me? Did you? Did you?" You are such a joy!! You constantly laugh. I can't wait for you to tell me what is so funny all of the time! Giggle giggle giggle with that toothy grin! You have 8 teeth now, 4 top & 4 bottom and you are cutting molars! When I go to get you in the morning you try to hide from me & play peekaboo. Then you jump like a madwoman holding on to the crib rail. I get you a cup of (soy) milk and you snuggle with me on the couch and we watch Little Einsteins. It is so hard for me to be back to work full time. I miss you so so so much during the day. I'm grateful for the time we had and I'm grateful you get so much time with your Daddy. He loves you and you absolutely love him. This weekend with you was one of the best ever. We played and played and I read to you as much as possible. I couldn't believe how much you changed in just four days of not spending every minute with you. I miss that before nap book I used to read to you everyday.
Bathtime is your favorite time of day. You splash and squeal and we barely wash you because you are washing yourself just with splashes. You don't want to eat your vegetables unless we stab them first with your Big Bird fork, then you grab the fork from us and stick the food in your mouth. You haven't mastered the scooping and stabbing yourself yet. But you try like hell!! When you are done with that bite you slam the fork down on the tray.
I can't imagine what life was like before you came. My world revolves around you and your Daddy. Our family. I'm so happy you chose us Rita. You are absolutely perfect! Your new word for the week was "Gone?" with your little hands in the air out to the sides questioning where did it go? Everything is "gone" it is so damn cute! The water empties out of the tub, you say: "Gone?" Daddy leaves the room, you say: "Gone?" When you are hungry you open the drawer in the kitchen that has all your snacky crackers in it and try to get snacks out yourself. It won't be long until you do.
You are and forever will be my little tator.
All my love,Mommy