Happy 21 Months!

Bean,

While you are still our baby (and always will be), this month you really have become a "Big Kid." Perhaps you really do know that a new baby is coming into our lives.  We celebrated the day with a maternity and family photo shoot with Emily Troutman of Emily Troutman Photo. We loved the photos we did for you and are excited to have professionally documented "Us" as a family of three before becoming a family of four. 

You are also our guinea pig child - every day with you is a first for me. Because of this, I really don't know when you are supposed to hit important, yet smaller, milestones so I like to celebrate all of them. <3

Here's what you can do this month. You:

*have started calling your father "Big Daddy." Lord only knows where that one came from, but it's hysterical and Daddy loves it. I find it important to note that I was only called Big Mama once. It didn't stick and perhaps that's for the better! 

*have decided that I'm "Mommy" now instead of Mama. It was a hard change to get used to but hearing your voice say anything that means me and only me is precious. 

*call yourself "Big Kid" and you are getting better at pronouncing your own name. Ls are tricky!

*can recognize your name when written with a few others and know that those combinations of letters make your name every time. As a literacy student, I think that's pretty cool. :)

*could eat an entire pint of blueberries ("boo-berries") in one sitting if we would let you!

*have decided goldfish do indeed make a good snack.

*had your first real sickness - hand, foot, and mouth disease. It was not pleasant but you were a trooper! We are blessed that you have been such a healthy child!

*know how to manipulate bedtime by asking what EVERY SINGLE animal is on the last pages of your ocean book when you know it's time for bed.

*must brush your teeth first before Mommy can help you finish the job.

*can climb! Not out of your crib thankfully, but it was nerve wracking and cool to turn around and see you seated at the kitchen table with your cup and snack by yourself!

*are now in a big kid seat at the table which you enjoy buckling yourself very much!

*have a new best friend - Penguin ("poe-win") and love to have him read, share your snack, jump, swim, and give kisses.

And my favorite:

*created a special good bye routine with Daddy. Mommy showed you once how to keep kisses with you by putting them on your heart so our love is always with you. So now, when he blows you kisses, you catch them (with a grunting sound effect) and pat your chest with it while you say "Heart." It makes me teary eyed every time.