I know I keep wondering how you could bring any more joy to our lives but then your 17th month rolled around (which included Christmas) and that question was quickly answered. Last month was So.Much.Fun. Seeing Christmas through your perspective (which, by the way, is probably the perspective of "I have no idea what the heck is going on"), made things even more magical, if that is even possible.
We decided to go ahead and set up our Christmas tree as we always do, except for the fact that our tree had no ornaments on the bottom two feet. You did amazingly well, only touching ornaments a few times before our constant "Look but don't touch" was completely comprehended.
Our Christmas featured quite the traveling adventure that included visits to two states in totally opposite climates, so we opened many of your Christmas presents before we flew out. Many of your relatives sent gifts directly to the house, which made for a fun evening of presents. We brought you out after your bath and you weren't quite sure what to think. You kept going from one thing to the next and then back again, as if you were worried we were going to take something away.
That next morning bright and early we flew to Chicago. During all of our flights on this trip you were really good...I think you're pretty used to it by now, as these Christmas flights were your 12th round trip flights in your first 17 months. That, and mommy comes prepared with books, DVDs, my phone, toys and, of course, food. My carry on bag has grown dramatically in size as you've become more active. (This should serve as a warning for anyone who may be sitting next to us on a future flight.)
The day after we arrived in Chicago we took a train from the suburbs into the city. You were mesmerized by the scenes passing you by outside your window.
However, once we got off of the train, your good mood ended. Immediately. Apparently you don't like cold weather. Or at least not 30 degrees with the wind blowing cold weather. And you didn't like your coat either. Or mittens. Or pretty much anything else the entire day. This next picture of me trying to find Baby Einstein on my phone for you pretty much sums up the trip. You couldn't have been more excited to get home that night and I couldn't have been more excited for a big glass of red wine (or two).
This was the first time that you've seen your cousins that you have actually wanted to interact with them. You adored Emelie and Christopher and would follow them around all day. This is probably because Emelie could often make you laugh with her silly faces and noises.
Santa brought you the Rock N' Roll Elmo this Christmas, which you loved. For about 5 minutes.
After celebrating Christmas in Chicago you and I said good-bye to daddy who had to return to work and flew to Florida, where there was none of that cold weather you didn't like. You played and played and visited with lots of family and friends. Our trip included a visit to the playground where you tried to go head first down the highest slide. Sometimes I worry about this lack of understanding of cause and effect. You, of course, giggled the whole way down.
Your 17th month brought the onset of a larger vocabulary for you and there's something awe-inspiring about language development. Nearly every day brought a new word for you, including wagon, cow, banana, apple, up, kitty cat, banana, grandma, grandpa, outside, water, and airplane, which you quite seriously said 500 times between our three flights. You are so proud of yourself as you utter each new word, but it probably doesn't begin to match the overwhelming pride we feel as your parents.
Love,
Mommy
