Dear Charlotte,

Happy 18 months!  Daddy and I spent today in disbelief that you are 1 1/2.  For your entire first year I wrote you a letter every month.  I’m kicking myself for not continuing that into your second year.  That’s okay though, I’m doing one now.

The past 6 months have been pure joy.  You have grown so fast and learned so much.  You transitioned into the Waddler (Young Toddler) class at school. You grew lots of teeth with much more grace than I would have, if bone were pushing through my soft tissue.  (ouch!)  You cracked 20 pounds.  You walk faster, steadier and sometimes break out into a little run that makes Daddy and I simultaneously laugh and panic that you will run into something.  You can now climb on to the toddler playground equipment and up on the couch.

Oh my dare devil girl!  Is there anything you fear?

Daddy and I have realized you have no idea that you are little.  Whether at the park or at school, you like to run with the big kids.  You watch them and do what they do.  I’ve seen you at the local kids’ museum bolt head-first into a crowd of ball-throwing 6 to 10 year-olds like it’s nothing.  You giggle and squeal when you see your classmates.  You wave hello and bye-bye to them everyday.  You can point to each one of them when I say “Where is so-and-so?”

Around the family you are the center of attention, the belle of the ball.  Everyone wants to play with you.  You charm your grandparents with your coos and coy looks.

Your favorite toys are books.  You love to flip pages and chatter away, “reading” to yourself.  The best part of the day for Daddy and I is when you bring a book to us and curl up in our laps.  You like to throw balls and play with your baby dolls too.  We are quite confident you are playing out some pretend scenario in your mind when you line up your dolls and talk to them.

Your speech as come so far!  You say things like, “‘Dada”, “Mama”, “JingJing” (Ginger), “baby”, “ball”, “wa-wa” (water), “Elmo”, “Abby”, “hi”, “bye”, “book” and the newest, “mine.”  You love to tell us what the dog, sheep, lion, cow, pig, dog, cat, and monkey “say”.  You tell us how the car goes “vroom” and the train goes “choo choo!”

It’s not even close.  Tomatoes top your list of favorite foods.  You love cheese, yogurt, and pasta too.  Tomatoes still reign supreme in your high chair.  You are hit and miss with veggies.  Sometimes we have to hide them.  You sort of use your spoon or fork, but mostly your hands.  Eating is a messy affair for you, Missy.

Naturally, Daddy is the number 1 man in your life.  But, another little guy has made his way into your heart and all over our house.  Elmo is king.  You light up when we let you watch a little Sesame Street.  He’s on your new potty and in your books.  You carry your Elmo and Abby Cadabby dolls all around the house.

You are so headstrong and average a tantrum a day.  As frustrated as I get sometimes, I love it.  You are strong and independent.  You rarely cry when we drop you off at school.  You say, “Bye”.  You may be Miss Independent, but you still give hugs and kisses freely and rock every night before bed with me.

You are the joy of our world.  You have made our lives better everyday for the past 18 months.

I love you, my darling, darling girl.

Love,

Mama.