18 Months.

Dear Rylie,

Yesterday...you turned 18 months old! Yippee!! This is such a fun stage...not that all the other stages haven't been fun, but you are turning into this "little person" and I'm loving it.

Some of the basics:

You...

*wear size 4 diapers
*wear size 12 month shorts (it's spring...yay), 18 month dresses and tops and size 4 shoes
*probably weigh close to 22-24 pounds (I haven't weighed you in a while)
*have curls...and bright green eyes...and the most perfect little lips
*LOVE to be outside
*like to repeat words after me...momma, daddy, ma-maw, pa-paw, granny (which you pronounce "nanny"), gramps (which you pronounce "PS!" because I over-emphasize the gramPS...just for fun), grandma, grandpa, book, shoes, bath tub...ah heck! You're saying quite a few words these days so this list could go on and on...
*point to your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, belly button...when asked where they are
*are starting to understand the concept of please and thank you a bit more
*pat your chest when you say "please" due to a failed attempt at teaching you proper sign language
*will eat cheese quesadillas, tortillas, lunchables, mac-n-cheese, fettucini alfredo, corn, fish sticks, chicken strips, grilled cheese sandwiches, peaches, pears, bananas...but still won't eat veggies or meat (other than the occasional ham, turkey or chicken)
*sing your ABC's (not completely fluent yet...but we're working on it)
*pat the back of the person you are hugging and sigh, "aahh!"

We celebrated Easter last weekend and you had a blast!! The Easter Bunny was extremely generous this year and left you with six...SIX...Easter baskets. And you hunted for eggs several times. We captured most of this on video camera and I took a ton of pictures. You also discovered the fun of sidewalk chalk and learned that if you smile real pretty...your grandparents will spoil you rotten! You were terrified of Santa Claus last year and to my surprise...you were still terrified of the "puppy" they had at the Easter egg hunt. We were never able to find the Easter Bunny this year...but as you can imagine , I'm sure he was extremely busy. Maybe next year?!

In the next few months, daddy and I plan on taking you to the zoo for the very first time (I know...you should have been by now). But we also have plans on taking you to the park! And over Memorial Day weekend...we are taking you to the Great Wolf Lodge!! Lots of exciting things to come, Rylie Bug! :) Thank you, for helping mommy and daddy turn into children again. It's quite fun!

We are members of a local church and you really enjoy the nursery. They moved you up to the "older" kid's classroom and I love to see what you bring home each week. It's hard to decide what to keep and what to throw away...but honey, you can't expect me to keep everything, can you?! Your daddy would have a fit. But the arts and crafts that you bring home simply tug at my heart...they're all so precious! I love that you enjoy the nursery because you are going to be spending a lot of your Sunday mornings there. Your daddy and I want to teach you the name of Jesus and help you know Him and all of the good that He stands for!

Rylie, my love will NEVER stop growing for you...and sometimes, my heart even feels a bit overwhelmed with all of the pride and joy I find in you. You have changed our lives forever...and I couldn't be more grateful to God for making me your mommy!

Hugs and kisses.

Love,
Mommy