22 Months

Dear Patrick: You are 22 months!

You continue to keep your Daddy and I on our toes. We took you to a wedding in town recently. You did very well, no screaming during the service, and you had so much fun at the reception. But keeping you quiet took lots of planning and attention on our part. And it was constant vigilance at the reception to keep you out of imminent danger. One of us would have fun with grown up conversation and dancing, while the other played on the stairs with you. We took turns. But you really wanted Daddy the most. Hee Hee.


I fuss about your talking, but I should brag about everything you seem to be learning. I'm always surprised to realize Yes! You do know the difference between the forklift and the dump truck! And I'm pretty sure you've got your colors down. Shapes are getting there, perhaps about 50% of the time. You can identify lots of different people, even when you haven't seen them for a bit. You know lots of body parts (guess which one remains your favorite?) and you are very good at your walrus impersonation.

I'm having to be more creative in toddler entertainment. You are quite imaginative; left alone to your own device it's pretty hysterical what you'll come up with. For example, today you took a squirt bottle with water. At first, Daddy squirting you in the face was fun. Then you squirted yourself in the face. Then you squirted you toys and wiped them off with a blanket.

However, I can't just hand you something and expect you to play with it for 45 minutes. Unless it's a really bad idea, then you'll mess around for hours. But I usually pay the price in the end. So offer guidance I must. We've started cooking together. I give you some dry ingredients, bowels, cups, and spoons. And you make stuff. Mostly a mess. But it's quite a time and you are very focused.

I also think I need to be stricter with you. I think I let you walk all over me out of convenience. OK, it's not that bad. But I say no without thought, then I give in because it's really not a big thing in the end. Then I'm surprised at your protest later on. I've got to buck up a bit, but deliberately. Picking my battles. Today I did not pick the lunch battle. You had three bowls of Wheatabix for lunch. Hey, it wasn't Fruit Loops!

Easter was a big hit. As evidenced by earlier video, you loved finding Easter Eggs. You also loved Peeps. We got you blue ones, can't you tell?


Raising you continues to be the adventure, the challenge, the meaning of my life. And as I love watching you grow and change, I also want to wrap my arms around your sweet toddler body and keep you like this forever. Ornery, obstinate, and all.

I love you sweet boy!
Mommy