Dear Ainsley [18 months]

Dear Baby Girl (that I feel like I can't call baby girl anymore because within a few days you'll no longer be a baby):

You are officially 18 months old now! The past year and an half has been absolutely blissful and I continue to be amazed more and more each day with your personality and knowledge.

One of your fav pastimes is to read books. You'll bring one to Papa or me and help us flip through each cardboard page. Of course many of the books have to do with animals, funny faces and body parts which has led to quite the learning on your part. A bit before Christmas, you would confidently and correctly respond to "What does a sheep say?" Since then you've added cow, pig, dog, cat, monkey, lion, snake, chicken, duck, mouse, owl, frog, elephant and we're currently working on penguin. Initially my favorite was the cat--although you know how much Momma loathes cats!--because regardless of how rambunctious you are when we ask you about a cat's sound, you sweetly and gingerly tilt your head with the cutest, softest "meeeeow". I think my favs now though include the elephant since you include your little arm as the trunk and a penguin--waddle, waddle with the booty wiggle!

Which leads to my favorite body part that I like to test you on! "Where's your booty?!" And you hands go to your hindend with a wiggle and big ol' smile! You also know where your eyes, ears, cheeks, chin, forehead, head/hair, mouth, tongue, teeth--although you look like a goat with a bad underbite when you show them off--nose, fingers, feet, toes, knees, working on elbows, and of course your round lil' belly!

I'm not sure what's normal for your age, and I really try to keep it that way, Ainsley. You're only a year and an half old, and I know with face all kinds of "keeping up with the Joneses" issues in the future, but for now, I'm just going to let you control what normal is for whatever age you are at. (And don't worry, you'll always excel compared to the Joneses if we keep this attitude! ;))

Other than books and learning of animal and body parts--which is partially thanks to your obsession use of the iPad as a learning device--the thing that occupies the majority of the rest of your time starts with a "Waaaaaaa" and ends with a "tch!" "The Lion King" has been watched nearly 50 times in the last month or so. Some mornings you'll wake, point towards the bedroom door, and grin with a "Waaaatch?!" Other days you make it a few hours before you ask, but in honesty, I'm not sure you've gone a day without asking recently. (Not that we let you watch it every time, but most.) Every once in awhile you'll choose "The Little Mermaid", "Up!", or "Monsters, Inc." instead of "Lion" but those times are few and far between.

It's just so hard to say no to "Waaaatch, peeas?!" especially when we know it'll be followed up with a "ank ouuu"! Keep milking it now, lil' one because it won't work forever. ;-)

There are just so many things that have happened and ways that you are growing and learning in the past 6 months. I can't even begin to realistically imagine what the next six months will hold, especially since within the next few days--hopefully--you will officially be a big sister! I know that it'll be a period of transition for us all, but the way you hold and cuddle and love on your baby dolls and how you want to hold every real baby you see--even if the baby is in a picture--I know you'll be a great helper for Momma & Papa. And sweet little one, I know there will be days when you may feel more neglected than you'd like or days when you feel like the new one to come has taken your spotlight, but just like I have told you many times, Momma & Papa love you very, very much and we promise to do our best to love you with our best in all the days to come!

Much love lil' Pete!

 -Momma