Dear Shenzie and Heaten,

Do you know what One Year Six Months means?!?!?! That means you are a year and a half old! Oh my goodness, let the gray hair shine through. It is so crazy how quickly the time goes by and now you are half way to two. I am very excited and scared and saddened by this. Sometimes when I look at you I don’t see my babies anymore, but little children. Some days I miss those little babies, but most days I am having so much fun with my little children that I don’t have time for missing babies. You both are so much fun, so full of life, so full of joy, laughter and everything good. I know I tell you this all the time, but I am so thankful that I am able to stay at home with you and never miss a minute of the fun. This also means I never miss a minute of the fighting, tantrums, meltdowns, food throwing, hitting, scratching, crying, and fussing…but as crazy as you sometimes get I’m glad I never miss a minute of the bad times either.

The best part about One Year Six Months was that you both started showing each other affection. Most days you now will hug, kiss, or play nicely with each other and let me tell you, my heart melts with love each and every time you love on each other. I am so glad that you have one another. You really notice when the other is not around. Upon waking from your naps you both usually look around for the other and get so excited when you find them.

Dear Shenzie,

You have started “talking”. I use that word very loosely since most of what you say is indecipherable, but you do copy many words that I say and know many of your own. You “talk” to Heaten as well. You get right up in his face and babble away. I wonder what you’re thinking and saying to him.

You still love to wear hats, and now have added sunglasses to the mix. You look quite hilarious with your hat and glasses on and now bring them to me everyday before we go for a walk to the park. Sometimes when you’re doing things such as cleaning the table with a cloth or dressing your bear in doll clothes I totally see the girly part of you. Other times when you’re beating up on your brother or throwing dirt and rocks and getting completely covered in dirt I see the tomboy Shenzie. I love these two sides of you, they mesh to make my perfect little daughter.

You still love Elmo. It is your favorite book to read and the minute you hear him on TV you go running over and point yelling what I assume is Elmo. You love to sit on the daybed or couch and watch TV. You lie back with your bear and relax with me. It is pure heaven. You are a very affectionate little girl. You give me kisses, you cuddle with me, wrestle with me, love to sit on my lap or stand between my legs, anything as long as you’re touching me.

I can’t express how wonderful you are and how much I love you. You are so beautiful and bubbly and perfect in every way.

I love you Shenzie Weather,
Love,
Mama

Dear Heaten,

Oh my little cuddle bug. What would I do without all of your love and cuddles and sweetness. You are such a sweet, loving, fun little boy. And as always you are still very emotional. When you are happy your entire face lights up and your smile is so big. When you are sad you cry big alligator tears and come running to me for love. When you are frustrated, angry, or upset you flop to the ground on your butt and then very gently lay onto your back and then start your tantrum. Speaking of tantrums, seriously? How many a day do you really think is necessary. They kinda lose their effectiveness if you are having them every hour. Just an FYI for the future.

You are so good at asking for my help. When you can’t do something you come over and grab my hand pulling me to where you need help. This makes me so happy that you ask for what you want instead of having a fit. You are getting your first molar this week and oh my goodness, it is not pleasant. Teething is not an easy thing for you and I so hate to see you in pain and hurting.

Two new developments this month that I can’t quite say I like. Sleep. You have always been my really good sleeper, content to lie in your crib and play quietly upon waking. Not anymore. The transition to one nap was very hard on you and you are still getting it worked out. You had a full month of crappy naps and crabby moods. Instead of waking and playing quietly you now wake, throw your doggies out, and then cry to high heavens for them back. You are very addicted to your doggies (note the plural…it was one dog, now you always have to have two dogs with you). Lucky for me I have 4 of the same dog for rotating. The second new behavior is hitting. You hit Shenzie on her head a lot and you hit me and Dada. They are not mean spirited hits or even hits out of anger, more like hits to see what the reaction will be. Don’t get me wrong, you do hit out of anger or frustration and you totally don’t get the whole idea of time out. I guess it is payback to Shenzie for all of the times she’s scratched, pushed, or hit you (which is A LOT).

You love to play with the other kids at the park. You run after them and yell at the top of your lungs. It is so wonderfully cute and funny. You’re still a little unsteady on your feet so you usually end up going to fast and your feet get away from you and crash to the ground you go. We’ve had a few bruises and bumps from the park, but you’re getting much better.

You’ve finally started using some signs. After 8 months or so of signing you will do more and dog. Between the tantrums, pulling me where you want me to go, shaking your head no, and doing the sign for more when you want to eat, when you want more, and when you want a drink you make your needs known.

I love you little, sweet man. You are my perfect son who brightens up my day.
Love,
Mama