Mercedes - 20 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

Some exciting news! You are going to be a big sister in June! It's still very early, but we had an ultrasound today and saw a heartbeat so we are hopeful everything is on track. It's an exciting time to be sure, but also a little bittersweet. Your father and I love you SO much, beyond what words could even describe, so it's kind of hard to imagine loving another little person the same way. But everyone says your love multiplies, not divides, so I am sure everything will be just fine. Besides, if this little bean is half as smart and funny and sweet and beautiful as you, then we are blessed beyond belief. I think you are going to make a wonderful big sister - you are already such a good helper (vacuuming, sorting laundry, tidying toys, feeding Peanut) that I am sure you will be wonderful! Even though right now everything is 'no' and 'mine' - I am sure that won't last forever!

I'm sorry our time alone together is coming to an end, but I am thankful to be able to give you the wonderful gift of a little brother or sister!

Love,

Mommy

Alexis - 7 Weeks Pregnant

Hello Bean!

Welcome to our family! Today your father and I got to see you on screen for the very first time - along with the teeny flicker of your heartbeat! We are so excited to go through this journey all over again. And while your big sister is too young to really understand what is going on, she loves repeating baby and brother or sister. It almost seems like she thinks the baby is in her HER belly. She'll get it as you gro bigger and stronger, and of course, after you are here in person there is no denying it! I can't wait to see my two babies grow up together. I love you already.

Love,

Momma

Mercedes - 19 Months Old

Dear Mercedes (or CeeCee as you like to call yourself!),

You are changing and learning so much every day it seems! You had your 18 month checkup on Wednesday (yes, a bit behind schedule) and you now weigh in at 22.5 lbs and measure 32". Still a shrimp! But an absolutely adorable one. Not to mention smart. The doctor was very impressed when we said you have 75-100 words. It honestly seems like every day you pick up something new - monkey, apple, pizza, cheese, CeeCee (for your name), etc. You love playing the naming game - where you point to a bunch of different things/people/animals and name them, or ask me to name them. You are quite the little adventurer - slides and climbing and walking down the stairs like a big girl. You are still a little shy at first in social situations (just like both your parents!) - but once you are comfortable you are fiercely opinionated and independent (like me) and stubborn and quick-tempered (like your father). It's really a joy to watch your unique little personality develop!

Love,

Mommy

Mercedes - 18 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

Some days (okay, most days) I just look at you in amazement and wonder how we got so lucky. We both feel truly blessed to have this beautiful, smart, funny, stubborn kid - that is all OURS. It's impossible to describe, but it's like I just can't get enough of you (unless of course you are whining or having a tantrum or waking up at 5 am!).

You father and I not only love you, but we are madly and deeply IN love with you. My heart just bursts sometimes when I see you and your little body do something funny like put on my shoes and walk away saying "bye-bye!". You are back to being obsessed with books and want me to read them to you all the time, which of course thrills me! You have well over 50 words now - I can't even keep track of them all anymore. It seems like every day you come up with something new - most recently being please (peas), thank you (dank you), jacket (jacka) and outside (side).

I love it all, and I love you!

Love,

Mommy

Mercedes - 17 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

Your first sleepover at Bubie and Zaidie's went fairly well - for the most part. You napped, you ate, you played and you went to bed without a peep. However, those pesky teeth woke you up in the middle of the night and caused you to spike a fever, making for a restless, sleepless night. Lucky for all of us, Bubie and Zaidie loved the opportunity for all of the cuddles and are willing to try again soon!

In other news, you switched daycares this week (for a number of reasons) and so far you are LOVING it. You are napping and eating well there and really love playing with Sherri and all of your new little friends.

You are so unbelievably smart - it's truly amazing to watch your little mind work. You have over 30 words now (ball, book, mama, dadda, stuck, milk, more, shoes, baby, dog, duck, poo poo, etc). And speaking of poo-poo - you seem to know a lot about bodily functions! You refer to both pee and poop as poo-poo, but you definitely have the right idea! The other night during diaper free-time, you peed on the floor when I had my back turned for a second. You immediately said "uh oh! poo poo!" and pointed to the wet spot. I thought it was VERY smart that you both recognized what you did, AND that it was an uh-oh! Amazing.

Love,

Mommy

Mercedes - 16.5 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

Tomorrow night is a big occasion for your father and I. It marks our very first night away from you, together. We've each been away for overnights before, but never together! So tomorrow, for the very first time, you will be sleeping at Bubie and Zaidie's. You love going there and spending time with them, you always laugh and play and eat well and nap well! Let's hope that they can put you to bed successfully and that you don't mind going to sleep without breastfeeding! We'll miss you, but I hope that this first sleepover begins a wonderful, long-standing tradition!

Love,

Mommy

Mercedes - 15 Months Old

Dear Mercedes,

Every day it seems you learn something new. You are at such a wonderful age - discovering and learning new things so quickly I can hardly keep up. You have a lot of words now: mama, dada, pat, hat, more, milk, ball, shoes... every day you pick up something new! You know how to wipe your face and where your 'soos' go, and where your belly/foot/mouth is. You love cleaning things and throwing the ball for Peanut, and trying to do up zippers and making funny faces in the mirror. You love, love, LOVE to dance, which provides endless amusement for Daddy and I. (And out of nowhere, you even figured out how to put on lip gloss and sunscreen! Pat must have taught you those!) You brush your teeth and your hair, you help to put your clothes on - you even know where your diaper is and touch your bum if I asked you if you've pooped.

It is such a joy to watch you figure out the world around you. My heart just grows and grows, each and every day.

Love,

Mommy