My sweet Mabel June,
You are now 21 months old. You are one amazing baby. You are sweet and loving, and so full of life. You are a FUNNY kid, and interested in other people, and so social! You rarely get scared of people that we introduce you to, and sometimes you do things that are a little frightening... like just walking off at the Montavilla Street Fair. For 45 long seconds I was terrified that you had been completely lost, but oh no, you were just trying to climb into someone else's stroller. OMG MABEL NO.
You love climbing on things, hanging on things and generally acting like a menace. You are STRONG, and SMART, and WILD. One day, you decided to just leave the back yard and start wandering down the sidewalk in your diaper with your shoes in your hand. Thankfully some kind (and scared!) stranger pulled over and knocked on our door, asking if you belonged to us. UM, YES THANK YOU. *Mother of the year award*<<<<<< not me.
We have been to many fountains and splash pads this summer. And every wednesday you went swimming with Deb and Allurah. You love the water! you hate the sand, but love the water!
We went to a concert in the park with friends, you tried to learn how to throw a frisbee, and you danced your funny little chicken dance and ate BLUE shave ice.
Your auntie Keli came to visit and you had fun making her laugh and dragging her around the park.
Your sisters aren't much for wearing dresses, but one day I put a dress on you and since they love to match, I had three kids in dresses for the first time since Kelcie's wedding!
You and your sisters love to have picnics. Inside, outside, anywhere! You'll do anything to be one of the big kids.
We went to our family reunion at Belknap Springs. You were the life of the party! You made everyone laugh and got to ride the green machine with your Auntie Bug. (whom you now refer to as "A Butt")
We went for hikes in the secret garden, and you loved paling around with your big sisters, as usual.
You also found a stick you really liked and walked around with it a lot.
When your sisters were little they were frightened of Grandpa. You on the other hand, ADORE him. He's pretty fond of you too.
You LOVE books right now. Every nap and bed time you shout "BOOOOOOK!" and choose at least 2 books to read (at least twice). It's pretty sweet.
This is your favorite costume, the knight. Your sisters will wear wings and be fairies and mermaids, and you, YOU are the knight that has come to slay the dragon.
You've learned how to make "I" statements: I do it! I got it! I won! it's pretty cute.
As a matter of fact, I really think you have more words than Lucy did at this age, and she is incredibly verbose. Some of your other phrases are "Mama! Take shoes off!" (to me when i get off work, or for you in the car" also "HELP ME!" and "I did it!"
You seem like an incredibly independent child, yet in so many ways you are still just a baby. ANYTIME I sit down, you think it's time for Milk. You come running shouting "MULK!!!MULK!!!" like the world is going to come to an end and the only answer is to nurse. Because I've started to set limits on it, you'll often say "Odder side?" "one minnit?" and if I say no, you CRRRRRRRY and say "peeees! one Minnit!!!!" I usually give in and one minute turns into ten.
You and your sisters ADORE each other. If one of them is sad, you go right to them and hug and kiss them, or just pat them on the back. Sometimes Ruby calls you "Mister Mabel" and it's the sweetest thing. you make her giggle and she loves kissing you. Lucy wakes up every morning and comes to find you in the bed and says in the sweetest voice "Oh good morning Mabel, can I hold your hand?" and then she snuggles you up.
My adorable Mabel June, You are such a ray sunshine in my life. Your presence in our family is so very important. You have given me the gift of knowing that even when shit goes sideways, I still have the skills to bring it around to center. It doesn't always look pretty, but I can do it. YOU taught me that. You, with your tiny hands and your impossibly small mouth and your head that it was so tiny it fit in the palm of my hand. You are so so mighty, I can't wait to see what comes next.
All of my deepest, fiercest love, Mama
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