Summer-Your Second Year

Park swings and tall summer grass
Starting to recognize the shadows you cast
The water's cold, yet you loved to swim
As you frolicked about in your summer skin

I can't recall a single care
Just greenery, your curls, the result of humid air
Then Labor day came and went
Memories of your second summer spent




You are 16 months old now, a whole year and a third! You are a walking/dancing machine. You aren't saying much, but who's complaining?

You amaze me every day. You understand so much now. When I ask you if you want to eat, you get more excited than Zoie. You love bright colored fruits, blueberries, mango, strawberries and bananas. Actually, you love just about everything and have since you were able to try something other than milk. You've enjoyed goat cheese, sheep cheese, raw parmesan cheese that was older than you! You like to drink from grown up bottles like mommy and daddy. We've been spiking your food and formula with fish oil since you were born so you'll grow up nice and healthy. You wave hello to everyone and are the official greeting committee. You wave goodbye, reluctantly as you hate to see the party end. You have developed your own little language as a form of communication. Aside from obvious pointing and grunting, you tell us "more" with a hand gesture, you want to go swimming and you see birds. You recognize airplanes and have begun to mimic your mom and dad. You love Zoie and get her treats from the cupboard. You want to give her all of them, more, more! You laugh hysterically as you cup them in your hand and she chases you around drooling uncontrollably. It's your new game of cat and mouse.

You do not crawl anymore, you walk everywhere and it still feels surreal. When you tire, you are a little wobbly on your feet, I admire how you fall down and get straight back up again, you don't even acknowledge the fall. You are so cute, yet so durable! You really enjoy being tossed about. You have always been a little angel at bedtime and you sleep through the night since day one in your own room! No one would believe me unless they lived with us, but even the few times you've been up at night, you go right back down. One time I even had to pull your legs in from outside the crib and you didn't even wake. You are super flexible, stay up late, sleep in late, get up early, go down early! You are a well traveled toddler, and started the summer with a trip to Disney on your birthday. You are sometimes shy, but instantly warm to your surroundings.
We love having you with us everywhere we go and seeing your face when you experience new things. There really is no greater joy and there is so much more to come.

I love your zest for life, your hunger for knowledge and your eager little mind that always seems to be processing! I hope I am nurturing all these things and giving you everything you need. I will always try my best to ensure you understand the value you bring to our family whatever path you choose in life.

I guess, what I really want to thank you for, is coming into this world as my little girl, and for brightening my life with your energy. I hope to repay you someday through a wealth of knowledge and cultural experiences that can never be counted in dollars and cents.