Law Students

Almost 14 months

Over the baby monitor, I can hear the telltale thumping noises that mean you're jumping in your crib.

You threw so much food over your tray at dinner. We've been trying to teach you not to do that, and you know now that you're not supposed to. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that sometimes you forget. But more often you hold your arm out, food suspended over the floor, and stare at me. If I don't steer your hand back to your tray in time, you deliberately release those fingers, still watching me. Today you attempted something new: since you're not supposed to throw food over the side, you leaned as far forward as you could and pitched it off the front. Nice try.

I've also been trying to get you to stop drinking your bathwater. Every once in a while, before I can stop you, you dip your face in for a quick sip. You like to shove your own toes in your mouth, too. I guess you just like the taste of yourself. Also shoes. No matter how many times I explain that shoes are not for eating, you just can't resist. I need to either put them right on your feet or make sure they're out of reach.

You love the Baby Einstein books that, to my dismay, Dadu bought for you. Your favorite is the Shapes book. You'll find it under your crib and come get me, holding it out and saying, "Sha." You also like the Art A-Z books. You are bizarrely fascinated by the portrait of Queen Elizabeth and will keep turning back to the Q is for Queen page.

Boogaboogabgubgubgub. You like to walk around saying that, preferably while waving something that fits nicely in your hand like the remote control.

You've been waking up earlier than usual. I think we need darker curtains in your room. You usually cry until I come get you. (Is that really necessary? I always come within two minutes, three tops.) Then as soon as I pick you up, you want to sing the alphabet song. We sing it twice and point to all the letters on your walls.

Today we returned our books to the library and walked over to the park, where we chased each other on the green grass. You watched the boys playing baseball and laughed when I tossed you up in the air. I held out my arms and you ran into them, and I gave you a big hug and you gave my watch a big bite. (It worries me a little when I see you open your mouth wide and move toward my wrist, but you almost always manage to just get the watch.) I love it when it gets warm. I hope we spend lots of days together playing in the park this summer.

Love,
Mommy

Full post as published by Magic Cookie on April 24, 2008 (boomark / email).