16 Months

Dear Noah,

Son, you are really testing us these days.  I knew this whole parenting gig was going to get harder and I knew you were going to test our limits and I knew you were going to do all this while displaying a major independent streak but good lord boy.  Mama's tired.  One second you are trying to throw yourself out of the highchair at the restaurant because the noodles aren't noodle-y enough and the next you are nuzzling your downy soft head into my neck and kissing me open mouthed on my cheek.  It's those moments that make me forget the ones that come before...and also how the human race keeps reproducing.

I do have to say that I think you're really something.  You constantly amaze me with what you pick up and know.  The other day I was watching you on your video monitor wake up from your nap and rather than waking up crying or babbling incoherently you sat up, shot your right arm into the air and said "Wa wa, skkkkyyyyyyyyyy!"  And I looked outside and realized it was raining.  Well hot damn little man.   We've talked about rain and played in the rain but you put all that together by yourself.  Your vocabulary keeps expanding everyday...new and/or improved words are purple "puple", Poppi "PopPop", Auntie Danielle "DeeDee", turtle "tutle", Lily "Yiyi", among others.  You've mastered pretty much every body part except the elbow and I think that's because yours is still covered in baby chub and hard to see.  You adore bellies and find such joy in forcing people to lift their shirts when you demand more "bebe" (belly).  You're an enthusiastic greeter who waves hello and bye bye with such happiness and cheer.  You're also a professional kiss blower and you get both your arms into it.   You don't do things halfway that's for sure.

I appreciate that you know what you want.  Last night Daddy and I spent the night away from you and your Auntie Danielle took care of you.  She told us that when you were ready for bed you trotted over to the stairs and rattled the gate until she came to take you upstairs.  And once in bed you settled in right away and were asleep before she could shut the door.  But you also know that when you're done with meals, YOU'RE DONE WITH MEALS RIGHTTHISVERYSECOND.  And we better remove your plate before you throw it across the room and wipe your hands before you run them through your hair.  It's like you just KNOW what you shouldn't do and you do it with more gusto than I can fathom.  So I suppose this "you know what you want" business is both a blessing and a curse.

We visited that lovely orange labeled home improvement store today to pick up some things Daddy needed and while there you took great notice of the 12 foot blow up Santa at the front of the store.  By the time we left you were chanting "Santa!  Santa!" and baby?  You have no idea what you're in for.  Christmas may be my very favorite time of year and I hope to pass that on to you.  Your father is a scrooge this time of year but I won't let that interfere with sharing my unbridled love of the holiday season.  You will know the magic of twinkling lights and the joy of Christmas carols and the transformative scent of evergreens.  But always remember that Christmas is not all about the presents, ok?  Regardless of what your father says.

We love you, Bubba-loo.  Can we try to sit still next month for some pictures?  Please and thank you.

Love,
Mama