Alexis - 5 Months Old

Dear Alexis,

It's hard to believe that you are already five months old. You are such a character, it's so much fun to watch you develop into your own little personality, entirely separate (and different!) from your big sister. You are MUCH louder - screeching, yelling, growling, fake coughing - and also very, very easy-going. Happy and content and vocal, you are a delight to be around. We all love you so much, probably Mercedes most of all. She loves to sit with you, and bring you toys, and help change your diaper and entertain you. She'll dance and sing for you and you will giggle hysterically, which brings me to tears it's so darn cute. You are rolling and squirming up a storm, and just yesterday, you decided you wanted to try sitting on your own! You end up leaning forward a lot, and you most definitely aren't steady, but you are getting there! It's 'almost' completely unassisted, and that's pretty darn amazing.

Love,

Momma

Mercedes - 32 Months Old

Dear Ceecee,

Sometimes, you say the most hilarious things to us, and we can't even attempt to control our laughter. Sometimes it's not a nice thing you say, and I have NO idea where you'd EVER learn language like that (oops), sometimes it's something innocently funny, sometimes it's something so sweet and complex that it just blows my mind and makes me laugh. Having you fully verbal is truly amazing. Here are some of your recent gems:

Mommy: yawning really loudly
Mercedes: Mommy don't 'rawr'! There is no dinosaur here!

Duke: (rolling around on his back)
Mercedes: Duke! Go back to puppy school! I don't want to see your penis!

You also love to tell Duke to "kick rocks!" and you frequently say "oh my GODDDDDD" or "Jeeeeee-sus" when you are exasperated (I'll blame those on your father).

We have a broken kitchen chair that yes, I broke one day while I was pregnant with your sister. The other day you asked Daddy about the broken chair and he said "Why is it broken?" and you said "Because of Mommy's fat bum" (not nice, but hilariously true unfortunately!)

I never want to forget how sweet and funny and hilarious you are at this age. It's something new and awesome each and every day.

Mercedes - 32 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

Every day you make me proud. You amaze me in so many ways - watching you navigate through the world and seeing the little personality you are rapidly developing is truly astonishing. This weekend we finally took the plunge and converted your crib into a toddler bed! This means you are FREE, although so far you haven't attempted to actually get out of bed when you are supposed to be sleeping (thankfully!). You are having some sleep issues currently (wanting us to sit on the floor until you are asleep, waking in the middle of the night to sleep with Daddy, etc), so we had hoped that a change and some encouragement on being a 'big girl' might help, but so far, no dice. It hasn't gotten any better, but at least it hasn't gotten any worse!


Today, you brought literal tears to my eyes at the park. There was a group of about four 5-6 year old kids (3 girls, 1 boy) all playing in the sand at the playground. You, ever cautious and shy, but curious, clearly wanted to play with them. You approached them, ever so slowly, and stood there, quietly waiting for some sort of invitation to play. One of the little girls asked if you wanted to play with them, and you kinda just stood there, not saying anything. I felt a bit mama-bear-ish when one of the little girls said "why is she just standing there like that?!" but the 'leader' said "she looks like she's only 2" and then asked you again if you wanted to help them build in the sand and tried to give you sand. It truly warmed my heart to see you playing with other kids (much older kids!) at the park... it gave me visions of my future - standing back, resisting the temptation to referee your interactions with other kids, despite the fact that some of them may be slightly negative. I can't believe I already have a child old enough to play independently, of her own volition, with neighbourhood children! It's really amazing that just a few short years ago, you were nothing but a fetus, and now, you are this tiny bundle of personality.

Love always,

Momma