17 months

My sweet Fiona: You are 16....no, wait...17 months!



You are quite the little firecracker, darling girl. Daring, bold, opinionated, and with a wicked sense of humor. I noticed a few weeks ago that you were lying down on the stairs, making this snorting noise. Were you pretending to snore? Patrick and I have a game (copied from The Wiggles) where we pretend to be alseep, the other yells Wake Up! and a large dramatic wake up is the punch line.

Wake up, Fiona!

You popped up your head and did this funny little thing with your tongue where you wag it about. You made a joke! Then you flopped down and we played the game another million times. In a row.

The climbing skills continue to amaze. Daddy says you can climb up our (quite steep) backyard slide by yourself. You like to crawl up on the back of the couch and fall down on purpose. You like to stand up and stomp in the water table. Thank goodness we have folding chairs or else you'd be on top of the table. We've caught you pushing chairs towards higher surfaces with a look of intent. Daddy does not like it when you try to stand next to his TV. You and your brother keep our lives free of tedium. God must think we'd cause too much trouble with free time, because He's made sure we don't get any. You are a morning kid like your brother, and 6am is sleeping in at our house.

I love watching you catch onto new things. You copy movements when we sing songs. You ask (in your own way) for Gramma to play some new game with you. You can answer questions! For the most part, you are getting it. Do you want milk? Yeah! Do you want a carrot? NO! (No is always very emphatic). Do you want to eat a bug? Yeah! Fiona, let's go change your diaper. NO! Accompanied by running away. We do lots of running away. From diaper changes, new clothes, getting in the car.

But in the end, you want to do what your brother is doing. Does he have a puzzle? You want it. A popsicle? You'll take us to the freezer and point. Yogurt? You grab a bowl. Where ever he is, you also want to be. Then you will hug your brother with the sweetest smile on your face. You are the only one who can wake him from a nap and he's happy to see you. I know you'll have your own struggles as siblings, but Daddy and I are hopeful your relationship will continue to grow and deepen. We love watching you love each other on your own terms.


I realized that you were totally playing me at bedtime a few weeks ago. The routine slowly got longer and longer. Toys, books, nursing, and repeat. Fiona, it's bedtime. NO! Nah-Nah (nursing)! NO! I needed some conviction, for I could see where this might lead. Mommy has now regained control of bedtime. For you (also) wear me out! And I need some rest myself. So good night, sweet Fiona. I'll see you between midnight and three for a snack and a cuddle.

Love you always!
Mommy