This Boy

Dear Buddy,

I just brought you home from the hospital- you with your big head of dark hair, you with your ready-for-a-steak-at-birth appetite.

You can't possibly be 18 months old already. Yet, here we are. You are now older than your sister was when we brought you home that day.

You, my son, are an imp. Your Great Gram Eldred would agree if she were here with us.

You get into everything and anything you can get your hands on. I've joked that since you started crawling at 9 months, I feel like I save you from imminent death every day.

I still feel that way.

Your latest feat is to climb onto any chair that is available, and then climb onto the table. I have also seen you stand up on the seat of a grocery cart (you have to understand- your sister was so not adventurous- I never buckled the belt on the seat- I know, Bad Mommy).

You are such a little man. You are a ball of energy, love and giggles. You love to be chased, and boy, you run fast these days! I actually have to really hustle now when you start booking it down the driveway. Have I mentioned what a daredevil you are?

As much as you don't like to sit still, you are a cuddler. When you feel like you need snuggles, like after you get up in the morning and after your nap, you rest your head against my chest and suck on your thumb. I cherish those moments more than you can imagine.

See, I know from watching your sister, that 18 months is the turning point. At 12 months, you were still very much a baby. Now, you're half baby, half toddler, with the toddler side gaining ground every day. I know now that your 2 year birthday will be here before I can blink, and my heart actually seizes for a moment.

You are my last baby. Your dad and I have decided to stop at two, and now that it's definite, I'm cherishing your baby moments even more than I was before.

You are so, so special. I love the way you dance to "Call Me Maybe", and your affinity for closing any and all doors you come across. Your giggle is the sound of pure joy, and is even more special because you are such a serious little guy in general.

Happy Year and a Half, Buddy Boy. Dad, Rosie and I love you so much.

Love,
Mom