Eighteen Months

My Dearest Joslyn,

Today you are 18 months old and now more than ever we have really seen a lot of changes in you over a short period of time. In the past few months you have developed in so many ways and it is really nice for us to see. Your vocabulary, your attention span, and your understanding of the goings on around you are amazing. One and a half years seems like a good age to give you an update, so here we go!


You have always been drawn to your books. While you sure have your fair share of running and playing, you have also always loved to sit on your own or with us and go through your books. From even as young as 6 months of age. Well the latest thing you've taken a great interest in is puzzles. You will keep your attention focused on a puzzle until it is complete. You know how to twist and turn the pieces, moving them ever so slowly across the board in order to get them to fit. That just amazes me!


We also can't help but notice how lately you've been trying your best to outsmart us. lol. We see you go after something that you know you're not supposed to have (like the remote control) all the while keeping one eye on us and one eye on the prize. Wondering if we're watching you so that you can essentially go in for the kill. You've also pulled out the fake cry when you want our attention and have taken a few stabs at whining too. Those things don't go over too well with us, but it's pretty funny to watch you try anyway. The other night we were eating dinner and you started banging on the table with your hand. We told you to stop and that 'we don't hit . . .', but you continued to do it to a lesser degree all the while watching us sheepishly for a reaction. I'm telling you Joslyn, it is so hard not to laugh in situations like these where you're testing the limits.


Another time you tried to outsmart us was when we recently gave you a time out. A bit of background on how your time outs work is that we always put you on your bum in your time out place, and if you try to get up we will tell you to remain 'on your bum'. Then we go about our business while keeping one corner of our eye on you during this time. Well wouldn't you know it, on this particular occurrence you started scooting yourself (on your bum) into the living room where we were sitting. We could see what you were doing the entire time and found it extremely difficult to control our laughter. It. was. hilarious. You very obviously knew that you were in trouble for something which was why you were placed in a time out. You also knew that you had to stay 'on your bum', but this time you figured if there were a way to move throughout the house while remaining on your bum and not getting caught . . . you might just be up for the next lotto 649! The best part of this was when we'd turn our heads to look at you, you'd stop dead in your tracks. As if to say you had been doing nothing wrong. To think we wouldn't have noticed you until you'd magically appeared in the middle of our living room. That is hilarious little one. I'd just like to know how a parent is to keep a straight face?! lol. Ugh, smart girl!


You have been talking non-stop the past few months sweetheart. You now reiterate pretty much anything and everything we say and you are able to complete short sentences. From things like "blueberries" (which sounds more like "boobies" - you should see the looks you get when you shout it as loud as you can at the grocery store) and the name of your little boyfriend "Isaiah" at daycare (which you pronounce per-fect-ly), to "one, two, three, seven, ten" (we'll work on that) and "ready, set, go!". You're like a little sponge, repeating darn near every word you hear. It's a good thing mommy has kept her trucker mouth at bay because we have yet to hear you say anything undesirable. Your dad is convinced that you're just waiting with baited breath to whip one out on us at the most opportune time. Lord help us, lol.


There are a few children at daycare who aren't quite as verbal and so Marjorie has shown all you kids how to use sign language for certain key words. Since you are able to say the words too you will not only say it but also sign it at the same time. (If that isn't one way to drive home your requests, lol). If you want milk you say "milk" and will do the sign for it. Same with "more" and "please" and "thank you".


You know the sounds that all the animals make; dog, cat, cow, duck, sheep, bird, rooster, horse, lion, and crow. I painted your little toes for the first time this month to which you couldn't stop admiring. Thanks to Marjorie you have mastered the art of drinking from a cup so there have been no more sippy cups or bottles for quite some time now - (insert tears of outgrown baby status here). You love to water the flowers outside with your watering can. You know how to clean up all your toys and put things back where they belong - dirty clothes in the hamper, blankie stays in your crib, turn off the light when leaving your room, shoes go on one shelf, and books on another. We've had so much fun together this summer. We've gone to a few different beaches, lots of parks & playgrounds, Tinkertown, the splash park, Harbour View, and many many "siiiiiiims" (swims) at Grammy & Papa's.


You spent your very first night away from home last month, and it really couldn't have come soon enough for us. While we love to spend all the time with you we can, it's also important for you to have time at your grandparents' place just like mommy and daddy did when we were little. This is how bonds are formed and special memories created. Your great-grandparents hold a very special place in our hearts because of the time we spent with them and we only want the same great things for you sweetie. You spent your evening at Grammy and Papa's and from what we hear you all had a fabulous time together! (As did we at dinner and a movie). As I write this, we are also in the process of moving to a new home. We have found something that we think is perfect for our little family and we anticipate many happy times will be shared in this home in the future. So strap on those cute pink jelly shoes of yours sweetheart because we're a Moisey-ing on! :-) (lol. I know, I know).

 
Some adorable new things you've been doing as of late are walking on your tippy toes, climbing yourself up into your highchair, saying "thank you" for just about everything, and "bless you" for sneezes, thinking the 'scratch and sniff' stickers on one of your board books really means 'sniff and lick', saying your name like "Josh-inn!", riding on the canister of the vacuum, exploring your potty and having many successes under your belt, giving and blowing kisses, pointing out every "baby" within a 3 mile radius, saying "yes" you want a time out as soon as we try to threaten you with one - can you say "backfire" too my dear?, and blowing bubbles while trying to lick the wand at the same time.

 
It is just crazy to think of how much we love you peanut. Happy 18 months!

Love,
Your Mama Bear

Twelve Months

My Dearest Joslyn,

Today you are one. One whole glorious year old. Since the day you entered the world you have given us so much to be thankful for. As humbling as it is, this past year with you has been one incredible gift after another. We love you Joslyn more than words could ever express. Always.


This past month has been a bitter sweet one. Spending time with you is my most favorite thing in the world, and we've had a lot of it this month. But it has also come with some sadness. The countdown of my return to work has been a constant run on my mind. Knowing that I am one month, one week, and now days away from going back has me completely terrified. To think of living my days away from my sweetheart is a very unsettling feeling to say the least. But one thing I know in my heart is that you will be okay and you will flourish in your new environment. You will kick some major daycare tookus my dear. Because that's the kind of thing us Moisey's like to do!


Over the past month we have strategically worked you into Marjories home. You and I have had play dates there together, lunch there together, a few hours there by yourself, slept there through nap times, and up to full days a few times per week. You are happy, healthy, well engaged, safe, and most importantly loved at Marjories. Abby has become your new little friend at daycare. She is one month older than you and she adores you! From the moment you enter the room she showers you with hugs and smiles. We're delighted to see how well you've adapted to these new surroundings and circumstances. We couldn't be happier with the new friendships you've made.


You have a new obsession this month. It's a problem really. It's the phone. You are constantly after the phone in our bedroom which to your convenience is situated within arms reach. If we've left the door to our bedroom open, we always know where to find you. Sitting happier than a pig in poop, playing with your new favorite "toy". We've even been witness to Nikki being bowled over in order to get to it. You pick up the phone, fling it onto your shooulder (not up to your ear) and say "HELLO!" Over. and over. and over again. You seem to want to hear someone's voice on the other end, but on the few instances where I've put you on a call with your father from work, you become as quiet as a mouse. It's so cute to see you're reaction. 'Someone's talking to me!' 'Someone's really talking to me!' You love to press the buttons on the phone, which leaves me with some fear that a future phone bill will soon show outbound charges to China! Oh heavens, I hope not.


Another saying you've picked up this month is "Hi Nikki!". Your dad has always had a habit of calling out "Hi Nikki" as soon as we return home from somewhere. To announce our arrival to Nikki who has been left waiting for us. And now you do it too! It never fails. Every time we come in the house, you should "Hi Nikki!" and go off looking for her. You've also really started playing with Nikki this month. You chase her around the house, laughing hysterically all the while. It leaves us in stitches, and we know Nikki loves the attention you give her sweetheart. (Most of the time). ;-)


We took you with us on a little 4 day vacation to a cabin we rented. It was a beautiful timber framed cabin out on the lake near Grand Beach. We had a lot of fun reading, relaxing, sun setting, dancing, hot tubbing, snuggling, sleigh riding, fire building, and you especially loved running all over the cabin. With all the space it had, we found it difficult to keep you confined to one area. It was a long weekend we really enjoyed as a family. Just the 3 of us, without any outside influences like computers or phones to keep our attention away from each other. It was fabulous!


A few new things this month include your ear piercing on January 25th. You did extremely well sweetie, not even feeling one of the piercings (thanks to a little Emla cream), and we've been twisting and turning the days away since then. One of the reasons we felt it important to have your ears done now is so that I would be home to properly look after them for you, cleaning and turning them a few times per day and without much notice from you at all. Mission Accomplished!


You have also learned how to walk backwards this month, how to jump up and down, how to play catch with a ball, and you love to throw yourself into your toy box to reach the toys at the very back of the box. You insist on eating any and all food from our dinner plates, you love to tackle your dad when he's lying on the floor, and thanks to Marjorie you've discovered a new love of Kraft dinner. You also love to play tea party and know how to make pretend sipping noises with your cup. You will also share your cup with me and wait for my sipping sounds. I mentioned to your dad that in a very short time, I see him sitting at your tiny childrens table and chair set, sipping tea with your dollies, as he sits dressed in fine jewels, white gloves, and tiaras. His response? He's looking forward to it. Almost as much as I am.


The theme for your first birthday is Care Bears. We had a birthday party for you on Saturday with daddy's side of the family, and we'll be having another party for you this Saturday with mommy's side. Two parties sure is a lot for such a little girl! But you only turn 1 once, and we thought it might be difficult to fit everyone into our home comfortably in one party. Lucky for you! I picked Care Bears this year for a few reasons. One, they are just so darn cute (especially the older style 80's care bears), and secondly because we just generally love bears around here.


Today is a beautiful day. The sun is shining and it is very warm for February. A perfect day to celebrate your very first birthday. With it being a Wednesday, your dad has taken the day off and we have set our sights on skating on the river at The Forks. (We'll handle the skating part, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride from your sleigh. I mean, what are birthdays for anyway?!) We will also spend some time with Auntie Rihana today, and enjoy a nice chicken dinner which is slowly cooking away in the crock pot at this very moment. Then maybe a little cake and a few presents.


Today is your day. Thank you for the single most amazing 12 months of my life. We are so proud of everything you are and everything you do. One sure looks good on ya baby!

Love,
Your Mama Bear

Eleven Months

My Dearest Joslyn,

The past month with you has been an extra special one for a few reasons. The first one being the celebration of your very first Christmas with us. In case you're reading this and haven't already figured it out, your mama LOVES Christmas. It is the be all and end all of special holidays for me, and it just got about a thousand times better having celebrated it with you this year. As if there isn't already enough to be thankful for, we are eternally grateful to have you with us.


Christmas day was perfect. You gave your daddy and I the best gift of all. You slept in until 10:30. That's right . . . ten-thirty! It gave your dad and I the opportunity to wake up, pour ourselves a coffee, start breakfast, open some gifts that we'd picked out for each other, and enjoy a few hours of quiet time. It was the perfect start to our day, and so we can't thank you enough. The best part about this however was the fact that as soon as you got up, we were prepared to make the rest of our morning all about you!


We weren't too sure exactly how much you'd be into Christmas this year, being as young as you are and all. But you completely surprised us. Presents were a lot of fun. More so for the wrapping and boxes than anything else, as your favorite part was ripping the paper off piece by piece. With each rip of the paper, you'd let out a big "WOW!" as if what you'd just done was the most thrilling thing in the world. It gave us as first-time parents the opportunity to see Christmas through a new set of eyes. We really took notice of the little things that perhaps we wouldn't normally see, and only because you'd brought them to our attention. You took to Christmas like a real trooper. There were a lot of late nights, a lot of family in mega-stuffed rooms, and some not-too-familiar faces popping up to see you. But guess what? That's what makes Christmas so special. The bringing of loved ones together to give thanks, and honey we are truly blessed by all that we get to experience with our loved ones during the holidays.


A few of your favorite gifts were 2 baby dolls you'd received. The first of many I am sure. We honestly didn't think you'd know what to do with dolls just yet, figuring you were a little too young for them, but your reaction was just amazing. Right from the first moment you laid your hands on them, you put them over your shoulder. Rocking them. Cuddling them. Kissing them. Swaying back and forth while saying "AWE ...". I'm not sure where you've learned this, other than seeing how we are towards you, but it is quite amazing that you knew just what to do with them! A little mommy at heart we see.


You have found a great love this month of imitating everything and anything we say or do. You follow us around the house watching our every move. If we stomp the floor, you stomp the floor. If we make a kissing noise, you make a kissing noise. If we cluck our tongues, you cluck your tongue too. If we say something, you repeat it to the best of your ability with the same number of syllables. Interesting! As a result of this, you and I have developed our own little way of carrying on a conversation. One where I think you really believe we are communicating with each other. It starts by either you or I saying a word that only has one syllable. It then continues going back and forth between us, saying another word that sounds just like the last. It goes something like this:

Mommy - "Up"
Joslyn - "Dup"
Mommy - "Hop"
Joslyn - "Dop"
Mommy - "Hip"
Joslyn - "Kip"

. . . and so on. These little one syllable conversations could go on forever. You just love trying to repeat something you've heard. It's really very cute.


A few other things we've discovered this month is that you love to be sung to in the car. By that I don't mean throwing on one of the several Sesame Street CD's we have for you to listen to. No. I mean you want US to sing to you! Can you imagine?! All I can say Joslyn is this. It is reeeally bad. Especially your father. (sorry honey) It would be one thing if we either A) didn't know all of the words, B) sang completely out of tune, or C) had zero timing & rhythm, but unfortunately for you my dear, we are clearly D) all of the above. My guess is that the reason our singing keeps you quiet is because you're trying to figure out how we've just run over a pack of squirrels for the thousandth time in our car. It's just us sweetheart, and I'm sorry. :-(


On January 9th we had you Baptized. We hadn't intended to wait as long as we did to have it done, but we were just having way too much fun with you that time slipped away from us in a heartbeat. It was important to your father and I for you to be Baptized, so we are very glad it's now been done. This month you have really started clapping your hands. If someone says anything remotely close to "Yay!", you start to clap. Your favorite word is "WOW!" but you also said "All done" a bunch of times this month. You have a new obsession with rearranging the kitchen furniture. You love to push the chairs around the kitchen, and to also push your highchair back to its spot against the wall once you're done eating.


I can't believe that the next letter I'll be writing to you will be for your first birthday. Sometimes I look at you in awe, turn to your father and say "I grew her". "I. GREW. her". I just can't believe how far you've come and how much you've grown, and in such a short about of time. No longer the little baby, now with your own "babies", you're turning into a little girl. One that I just couldn't be more proud of.

Love,
Your Mama Bear