17 Months

Dear Ryan,

I know I say this EVERY time, but honestly, where did the time go? How is it that you are already SO BIG? I was sorting through your baby clothes last weekend, and I find it hard to believe you ever fit into those tiny sleepers and onesies.

Your language skills have just exploded in the last couple of weeks. On Sunday morning, I wrote down everything you said:

eat
yo-yo (yogurt)
kitty
die-die (diaper)
no
nana (banana)
wa-wa (water and watermelon)
down (this is by far your favorite word)
ball
spoon
snack
bye-bye (said to your crayons when you covered them with the paper)

You also learned the word "steam" when you had a head cold and we ran the ultrasonic humidifier every night (you say “teem!”). Sometimes I have to pay close attention to differentiate between words you use – “May-May” is Maisie, Grandma and Grandpa Fleming’s cairn terrier, but “may-me” is music, which you say while swaying back and forth and bopping around. You say "Hi!" and "Bye-by" almost without being prompted, and when I hand you something and say "Say 'thank-you'", you usually say something like "Ta-doo".

I didn’t realize Daddy had taught you a new word until you brought me your big stuffed turtle, proudly proclaiming “Nu-nu!”. Honu is the Hawaiian word for green sea turtle.

You're showing signs of being ready to start potty-training, though I'm not sure I am (but I will be glad to be done with diapers... for a brief moment, of course!). When I ask you if you have a poop or need a clean diaper, you run into the nursery and grab a diaper. You love sitting on (and in) your potty seat (fully dressed), and you're staying drier longer.

Now that the weather is getting warm, you love playing out in the yard and the garden, "helping" me and Daddy get ready to plant our vegetable patch. Bubbles are a favorite (pronounced "buh-buh"), as is pea gravel. You love the slides at the playground (you say “wheeee” every time), but aren't a big fan of the swings. The one we have at home is okay for a few minutes, and only if Daddy is pushing you.

You have no concept of the impending arrival of the new baby, though you will oblige when I point to my belly and say "Ryan, what's in there?" "Baby!" you say with a grin, and then poke your finger into my belly button, saying "bay-ee buh".

You love books, and will page through them carefully, jabbering away the whole time. Reading together is a big part of nap- and bedtime routines - your favorites are Dr. Suess' There's A Wocket in My Pocket and Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? as well as Goodnight Hawaiian Moon and all of Sandra Boynton's cute little board books.

I could go on an on about how fearless you are, how friendly and charming, and how you are on the move from the moment your eyes pop open until it’s time for “nigh-nigh” again, but I think I’ll close here.

I love you and love you

And love you and love you.

Mama