Sweet 16

Dearest Bleu,



Today you are 16 months. You are 32 inches and 24 pounds, exactly 75% tile for both height and weight. You look teeny to me, but you have the most solid legs I've ever seen... since Buby. You have a more quiet and serious nature than your big bro, but you make yourself heard. Loud and clear. You don't care that you're the younger, shorter, less able of the two. You are smart and fearless. Make no mistake.


Your mere presence keeps Buby on his toes, and he understands that you are his best-friend-in-the-making. He worries about you, entertains you, teaches you, and races to the door to beat you. He speaks to you in a softer, higher pitch voice than he does everyone else. You get his brand of humor and he gets yours. It's an awesome thing to watch.


You might be described as incorrigible. A doer. You are not easily discouraged. You are a nonstop GO GIRL and even have a bossy swagger {shoulders back, head up high} to match. When you are super stoked about something, you squat into downhill skier stance with your knees bent, chest out, and arms back straight.


Much to my chagrin, you successfully climb queen-size beds, bookshelves, dining chairs, and tall leather couches. Frankly, you scare me. I can't turn my head for a second. Just when I think I've got the place pretty much Bleu-proofed, you mount one side of the baby gate {at the base of the stairs} and like a rock climber propel yourself over. You stand up in shopping carts and restaurant high chairs, even though you're belted as tight as tight can be. You are like McGuyver in that sense. I've twice caught you scaling the side of your crib. I know what's coming, and I'm not ready for it.

You have been a mover + a shaker from day 1. Your Daddy and I are incredibly blessed to have two wildly different children, but it has been 16 months of uncharted waters. We're like first-time parents again, every single morning when you wake up. Ha.


Case in point: Buby and I were playing lacrosse in the driveway yesterday, so I took out some chalk and age-appropriate ride-on toys for you. You went for Buby's tricycle instead. Though your legs aren't long enough to reach the pedals, I pulled it out for you and adjusted Buby's old dino helmet to fit.


After a mere 6 seconds of zooming around you decided that wasn't challenging enough. You were going for the scooter. You confidently hopped on {no hands ~ mind you}, stepped one foot down to give yourself a good push, and then successfully took off. After a mere 6 seconds of zooming you decided that wasn't challenging enough. You were going for the big boy bike. I saw your leg went up and rushed over, but I have no doubt that you would have successfully gotten your tush on that little leather seat. Somehow. Then you would have fallen on your face, picked yourself right up and tried again. Because that's what you do.


After I snapped these scooter pics we moved the party to the backyard. It was time to water the garden. Buby, whose goal in life is to stay clean and dry, started spraying you with the hose. You LOVED IT. I asked him to be aim it away from you, but you absolutely encouraged him to carry on. Right in your face, and you LOVED IT. Time of your life. And as usual, you re-entered the house that night stripped down to nothing. A soaking muddy mess from head to toe. Buby was, of course, clean and dry.


At 16 months you are so full of love and busy deciding how you want to distribute it and to whom. You are getting over your fear of men and even offering a few smooches to the grandpas. For good measure. You have a million ways of saying "I love you," and I must soak them all up. In case they change one day. To watch you grow truly is the greatest gift. I wish your kind of hugs and kisses on everyone else. Because the world would be a better place if you could spread that magic around some.


You have just 4 baby teeth and 16 TO GO. Seriously, I don't know what is the hold up, though the dentist promises the longer the wait, the stronger the teeth. Your eyes are a deep espresso bean brown while your wispy short locks shine lighter each day. You and Buby are almost the same color, though your eye brows hint at a future red tone. You love headbands and hats but won't do barrettes. Yet.


At 16 months you are still nursing. Vigorously. Back when I was pregnant with you I committed myself to nurse for 16 months. That's 4 months more than the recommended minimum of 12. I gave you Bonus Months, my dear, but at some point in the near future I'd like to have my body back. You are insistent and attached and show no signs of letting up. So now begins the gentle weaning process. Wish us both luck.


As of right now you will eat anything. In fact, you are a bit of a foodie. That's one thing you have in common with the boys. You love vegetables, meat, dairy and bread. Pork and cheese top the list this month. You like to use forks and spoons and drink water from an adult straw. You insist on doing it yourself and making a colossal mess. Baths come after meals here.

For all of your action-adventure tendencies, you are a good listener. Please keep that up... I LOVE IT. Your dislikes right now include sitting in a high chair for more than a few minutes, being left alone for even a second, and having something of interest taken from you. Your obsessions include standing on the kitchen stepstool trying to reach my nectarine basket and standing on the bathroom stepstool trying to reach the water and brush your own teeth.


Some days you make it tricky to get anything done, but somehow we do. You are relentless with your personal agenda and insatiable in your need for comfort. You have never been soothed with a bottle, binky, blankie or cuddly anything. That thumb only lasted a few weeks. Oh... I had such high hopes for the thumb. That leaves me as your primary comfort-er. In my most exhaustive state I remind myself that this phase won't last. None of them do. But the incredible bond we have created absolutely will. In the meantime, you look at me and my heart melts to mush. Your goofy grin, silly dance, and mischievous chuckle have altered my universe in the most unexpected, joyous ways. Your Daddy and I thank God for the adventure that is you. Happy 16 months Bleu girl.

~ Mama