sweet seventeen

Happy seventeen months Lila!

This has been the most fun, ever-changing, laughter filled and silly age. Every day you discover something new. You LOVE to sing and dance, stepping around in a circle then stopping to clap for your twirl. Your favorite songs to sing are Baa Baa Black Sheep, If All the Raindrops (circa 1997 Barney), Party In the USA, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Part of Your World from Little Mermaid, and Here We Go by the ever-so-annoying Fresh Beat Band. Here We Go is your current favorite song of choice and I can stop a full blown toddler fit mid floor roll by starting the music video on my phone. You now go pick up my phone, walk over and hand it to me and start singing the song to ask me to turn on the video. 

You love to sort things, taking items out of drawers and baskets and putting them back together. You love shape sorter toys and the stacking blocks. You think Zaxby the Dog is your personal playmate and last week, spent fifteen minutes trying to put your pink sandles on her paws while she stared at me with sad eyes, begging me to save her from this impromptu game of dress up. 

You love meeting new friends and will ride in the cart at the store or at other tables while out at dinner, desparately trying to catch their eye until you can giggle, smile coyly and say "Hiiiiii." Your toddler walk is more of a waddle, always a few steps ahead of your balance. You are repeating so many words now, telling us "I do that!" when we try to help you or pointing at Zaxby saying "Go away!" and then running after her laughing. You yell for momma and daddy the second we leave your sight, just to make sure we can still hear you. 

Your big kisses on the lips, full arms hugs around the neck and high fives show us you know your family and love being around us. You call for your Grinch when you can't find him, yelling "Ohhh Eeeee, Ohhh Eeeee" and then grabbing him around the neck and hugging him in a death grip. We are not sure what that means but I am sure it somehow expresses your love for this green monster you adore so with so much passion. 

Every day is a new adventure with you and you keep us on our toes with your never-ending energy, quick mood swings when we cannot understand what you want and your constant games of peek-a-boo. We love this stage of life and watching your playful, friendly, silly personality emerge.

If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you.

~Winnie the Pooh