Happy 18 Month Birthday, Liam!

Dear Son,

You are a year and a half young! Wow. I am thrilled at this landmark!

You’ve had a rough time this last month with ear infections and molars breaking in. I was so grateful last Tuesday when you came out of your trials. You were happy, giggly and joking with us again! It was as if I had been reunited with you after a long hiatus. Even though we are together every day, I missed that electricity you normally have. And I had no idea how much I missed YOU until you came back, you darling wonderful child!

This past month you’ve been waving good-bye and saying “hi” a lot. You started waving bye to me when I leave you at the sitter and you’ll also wave good-bye to Daddy as I take you up the stairs at bedtime. Last night I had layed you in your crib and I talked to you for a few seconds, kissed you and then started to walk out. I said, “night, night, I love you” and you waved and smiled at me. It was a sweet picture of you laying there with your pacifier and your feet lifted in the air, knees bent. You looked so snuggly with your soft blanket and loving smile. It’s at bedtime it’s difficult to say good-bye to you. You are so charming.

Your verbal skills are coming along slowly and surely. I know you understand much of what we say, but I do wish, at moments, that you could tell us everything you are thinking. You say “peez” and sign “eat” but that is about it other than animal sounds and signing “ball” when you see one. I look forward to you using more helpful and descriptive words soon. It will certainly save Mommy and Daddy on guessing what you need at any given moment. We are very proud of the animal sounds you are saying, though. I love quizzing you on the cow, cat, dog, chicken and duck. You really are so smart!

You can point to your mouth, eyes, ears, nose, hands and toes when we ask you. You can climb onto the kitchen table, no problem. You can drag chairs to climb other surfaces as well. Your favorite hang out place is the top of the recliner chair. You can take your shirt and pants off by yourself. You can bounce and prance like an acrobat in your very springy crib. You can carry full storage bins for me to open, grunting all the way. You can shoot toy guns with the best sound effects a boy can muster. You say “WEEEEEE” at anything that looks, feels or might be fun. You have a shoe fetish. You “read” books to yourself and you bring books to us to read to you as well.

You are a mighty eater as long as it comes from Daddy’s plate. You especially like to hover over him (worse than the cats) when he is eating cold sugary cereal. You love eating a whole banana all by yourself… cut up banana is beneath you… for babies. Any kind of ravioli is your favorite food… that and Trix cereal.

Every day is a learning experience for you, Liam, and I can see you absorb new ideas all the time. I am surprised at each new stage of your development and how pleased I am to move along with you to the next part of your life. I never look back wishing you were younger. I am grateful for that. Each new day for you is a blessing for me to witness. I appreciate your kisses, hugs, love pats and chuckles.

You are a delightful child that has made my life rich. I strive to be a good mom to you, even though this last month has been a struggle, I am acutely aware of my faults hoping I can overcome them in the months and years to come. Being a mother is a divine calling that I do not take lightly. It means so much to me that you’ve been entrusted to my care. The Lord certainly knows what he is doing, no doubt. Trusting in Him will get us through together.

I love you more than I can express, you brilliant little boy. Thanks for your patience and your unconditional love. There is certainly more learning that we’ll be facing together. I look forward to every moment of it.

Love you always,
Mom