You are 17 months old right now and I've been inspired to write a blog of letters for you so you can read them when you're a bit older. And when you're able, you can write back to me.
This first letter will be different than the ones to follow. It's always best to start at the beginning-at least that's what I've been told.
Your dad and I met when we both worked at Fred Meyer, it was summer 2008. I was 22 and had just graduated from Gonzaga University; your dad was 20 years old and worked loss prevention, making our relationship a big no-no. It didn't matter to me though, by the time I knew we weren't supposed to date, I was in love...
After two years together, we found out you were coming. It was April 16, 2010 when we found out and I was thrilled but also scared out of my mind (Don't worry, I've checked, this is a normal reaction).And after 37 weeks of a stuffy nose, leg cramps, the worst heartburn ever, and just being all around uncomfortable, it was discovered that you needed to be born. And so, on December 3, we began the process of inducement. We started at 11:30 that morning and you were born December 4, 2010 at 3:08 am. 6 pounds exactly, 19 inches long.
When I first laid eyes on you, I was overcome with incredible love and adoration. You were this tiny little person as perfect as could be. Even the doctor who delivered you remarked how perfectly pink you were. Who knew you could instantly fall in love with someone you never met before. I carried you for just about 9 months, felt your first movements like popcorn in my belly, felt you get more confident in your kicks and tumbles (I lived for those private kicks), felt you get the hiccups, knew your schedule before you even made your debut, and then I held you in my arms. Nothing could prepare me for that moment. That moment changed everything, and I would never go back to my life before you existed.
The first 18 months of your life is like a whirlwind in my mind. You have changed so much, it's nearly impossible to remember when you were so small. Here is just some of the milestones you hit:
- You rolled over consistently at 3.5 months
- Sat up without support at 5 months
- Scooted backwards/rolled yourself where you wanted to be at 6 months
- Crawled at 7 months
- Pulled yourself up the stairs at 7 months
- Pulled yourself to standing position at 8 months
- Stood independently at 8.5 months
- First word (Llata, grandma Karen's dog) at 9 months
- Took your first steps at 10.5 months
- First tooth at 11 months
- Started walking over crawling at 12.5 months
- Used words consistently at 14 months
- Ran at 14 months
- Put two words together at 17 months (Up please, sounds like Uppy)
- Started potty training seriously at 17.5 months
There are so many other milestones that I'm forgetting. But trust me, having this list will help you on a school project in the future.
Here's some of the most recent pictures I have of you. You love water, but there was no water in the pool. But that didn't stop you!
Well, we're more or less caught up to today-and here's where it gets a tad embarrassing for you. Hey, this is my job! The past 3 days, you have taken off your own diaper in order to go to the bathroom on the grass, the carpet, or your crib mattress. I bought you your first two pairs of training pants, you are going to be potty trained very soon if I have anything to do with it. I understand your desire to not have to go to the bathroom in a diaper and then sit and wait for it to be changed, I wouldn't like it either. But at the same time, I don't like to clean it up, so it's time to go in the toilet!
I love you more than you will ever know,
Momma
P.S. This is your favorite thing to do in the car right now, except you blow raspberries at me:
