You can put on a good grump when you want to.  For the past couple of weeks, and I attribute it to teething (7 teeth at once, I might add…), any time someone does something that you disagree with, you pitch a fit like it’s nobody’s business.  This could also be a lead into the terrible twos which isn’t that far away and really, it does start well before 2 and lasts until you’re … um… 30 I think …

You also have some of the sweetest mannerisms I have ever seen.  You constantly tug at my heart and make me proud in a way that I didn’t think was possible before I had you and your sister. 

Sweet thing #1:  You enjoy engaging me in your discoveries.  Sometimes you sit on my lap and if you’re holding something that you want to share, you take one of my hands (usually my right hand) and try to turn it over so that my hand is palm up and you put the item in my hand and look at me and smile.  I say thank you and give it back to you and then we repeat. And repeat.  And repeat.

Sweet thing #2:  This one really makes me melt.  I always tell you that I love you.  My theory is (sad as it is) you never know when it will be the last time you get to say it.  Whenever we go for a car ride, after I buckle you in your seat, I tell you ‘love you’.  Now you repeat back what I imagine is ‘Caity-speak’ for ‘love you’.  It goes like this:

Me: “Love you”

You:  “mah-mah”

Me: “Love you”

You:  “mah-mah”

It’s pretty wild.  You will say it back to me as many times as I say it to you. *sigh*.

Sweet thing #3:  You’re walking much better now.  Not only can you go farther than you had earlier, but you’ve learned that you can keep your legs straight and bend your knees when you walk.  Less Penguin-like, but sweet, nonetheless …

Sweet thing #4:  You know how to hug.  There is nothing like it after having a hard day, getting a baby hug.  You hug like you mean it.  You are my suck.  You depend on me for so much and I’m grateful to be your number one person.  I’m very lucky to have you.

Sweet thing #5:  ‘Awwww George…’.  This is one of the sweetest things you do.  George is the stuffed monkey toy your Uncle Jeff gave you when he came to visit you in the hospital when you were born.  He looks like Curious George, so we call him … well … George …

You adore George. We ask you ‘where’s George’ and no matter where he is, you find that monkey.  You pick him up, cuddle into him and go ‘awwww’.  Then I say ‘awww Momma’ and you give me a hug and say awww.  It’s impossibly cute.

Sweet thing #6: Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, Bye-Bye:  You say Hiiiiiiiii and raise your hand to say hello.  You say bye-bye and move your hand in the one-hand-clapping motion.  You also blow kisses ‘mwaaa!’

Sweet thing #7: No. Nie. No.  Poppy would be pleased.  When you’re angry, you speak perfect Danish.  “Nie! Nie! Nie!”.  Sometimes you answer “no” to anything.  “Caity, want to go for a car ride?” “No”.  “Caity want to go see Terri?” “No”.  “Caity want a bubby?” “No”.  Sure, now it’s cute, when you’re older, not so much …

There’s much, much more, but I’ll have to get back to you on that one …

I brought you to my work last Friday and you were a big hit.  Even though you acted as though every person was mean and was about to poke you with sticks and eat you (I’m pretty sure they weren’t going to…).  You clung to my shoulder and wouldn’t let me put you down, presumably for fear of being eaten.   Everyone agreed you were very cute.  Once you got used to this place, you settled down and started to play, babbling away telling everyone stories in your language.  Love you babes.