Dear Everleigh (20 Months!!!)

Ev,

This week you hit 20 months old, which means you're between one and a half and two. It also means I will have to stop using months soon to describe your age because it just gets weird at some point. Like for instance, I am currently 352 months old. But it's weird to say it that way. Okay, back to you.

You're one and a half right now, so I have the sneaking suspicion you will change a great deal in the years to come ;) Which I understand and totally condone. However, there are some little things I just don't want to forget like:

Dinosaur teeth. while you have almost all your teeth now, when you smile or laugh we can see all but your two front top teeth for some reason. It's actually really endearing, and makes your other teeth look all big and round and especially cute.

Fergus. We found this book for you at the library (David Shannon's "Good Boy, Fergus"), and you are pretty obsessed with it. You just love having us read it to you over and over and over and over. You'll look at us and say "Fergus!", and we know we're going to have to read it at least 3 times before you feel like you've got your Fergus fix. Other favorite books this month? "Just Me and My Dad" by Mercer Mayer and "Goose on the Loose".

"Daddy help you." Whenever your dad or I saw you struggling with something, we would ask, "do you want Daddy/Mommy to help you?" and you would nod. Now, you've taken to getting in a bind and saying "Daddy help you" or "Mommy help you". Sometimes you say both to me :) silly girl.

Puppy song. Lately you've gotten into me singing you the "puppy song" from your "If you were my bunny" book. One night you had me sing it like 12 times in a row, which was exhaustingly fun. You are a puppy lover if I ever saw one.

Babe song. You fell in love with Johnny Cash's "It ain't me babe" song and now request it often by saying "babe song". You even sing your version of it sometimes "no,no,no ehhhhhh me BABE". You're on your way.

Tiny Girl: you are still hovering between 18 mo and 24 mo clothes. You've been right on the 25th percentile mark for your age pretty much since birth, and as your pediatrician says, you're perfectly proportionate, you're just small. This does not phase you. In your mind, you are the biggest toughest kid around.

Preferences. This month you really kicked in with your preferences. It's fun to ask you if you want to watch something on TV or hear a song on the radio. Sometimes you say no to things I would have sworn you liked. Other times your yes's surprise me. Sometimes you say yes, then laugh because the thing you said yes to is SO silly, it's laughable. In general, you hate grown up TV, although you'll tolerate westerns for dad's sake. You love Dora and Gabba Gabbba and Boo. You like pop music or indie/rock jams with a good beat. You also love blues and guitar solos. Go figure. You're very picky about which shoes you like to wear and what PJ's you like and so on. Your favorite shoes are your purple and pink snow boots, and although we haven't had any real snow this winter, you've worn your snow boots with several outfits around the house.

Sleep talker. You continued to talk in your sleep this month...often you'll say words like "more please", "puppy dog", or "play". Last night you said "doughnuts". I am not claiming that one.

Sicky. This month I caught a terrible cold, which I then passed to you. When you are sick, you want Mommy, Mommy, Mommy and only Mommy. All the time. Day and night. You can't breathe through your little nose, and this makes you mad. On average when you're sick, you sleep about 45 minutes at a time. Mommy is tired, but mostly I feel bad for you and your poor little nose.

Scuff Nose, Part II. Also, right before getting sick this month, you took a little tumble up the stairs and scuffed your nose on the carpet. It looked pretty awful, but you were very brave. I just about called 911 before realizing you were totally fine.

Share bear. This week, I saw you being SOOO sweet and kind to a little boy at the library (or as you call it, "libaby"). It melted my heart to see you saying thank you, please, and even bless you when the little boy sneezed. You didn't freak out, even when the boy took the Dora book you wanted to look at, and I couldn't have been more proud.

I did it. You've taken to saying "I did it" or "We did it" after you accomplish something, however small. You'll get your sock on and say "I DID it!" and sometimes even add "lo hicimos". It's pretty adorable.

Everleigh, you are just such a sweet, smart, and special girl. I love you so much and I'm so happy to be you Mom.

All my love,

Mama

Dear Everleigh (19 Months!)

Dear Everleigh,

This post is a few days late (sorry!), and you are now 19 months old! Like---a year and a half plus one month ;) Right now, you are getting into everything all the time. You couldn't be more curious, and it's kind of exhausting but also really neat to behold. You are constantly putting the pieces together and figuring out what's what, who's who, and how to get what you want done (you are becoming an expert at this). This was a big month for our family, and you've been a real trooper. Here's what you've been up to:

New House: We moved a few weeks ago, and you gained a giant fun-filled playroom in the move. You love your playroom, and still call our house "new house". Sometimes when we're all downstairs, you'll say "playroom" and then "Mommy come too" or "Daddy come too".  You're super good at recruiting playmates! You have adjusted to the move really well, and tell us all the time that you love the new house. You are now sleeping in your new room about as crappily as you did in your old room, so you're settling in :)

"Yeah Man, Yeah Dude": I don't think these are things we say very often unless we're joking. But somehow, you've glommed on to them and you now say these two phrases frequently. I have to admit, it's super cute. You're our little hippy baby.

Waking Up: you've started doing this funny thing where literally the second you wake up, you start talking. Lately, you've said some really funny things right off the bat. Yesterday, you woke up and said "Oh man". And the other day you woke up from a nap and said "meow". It seems like you have so many words in your head that need to get out, you can barely take a break at nighttime and nap time.

Little Words: You are now saying lots and lots and lots of words. You will repeat almost anything, so we have to be extra super careful what we say. You tend to repeat bad words 10 times as much as good words if you catch wind of them. Some of your favorite things to say? "Mommy's home now", "I love you", "Daddy does it" (as in "bagel with cheese please. Daddy does it"), "tall baby" (we really started something with that one :) you request tall baby at least once a day...often saying "tall baby, Mommy/Daddy/Tory/"whoever you think you can convince to put you on their shoulders and walk you around).

Okay: One of your favorite tricks to pull is to say a word, like "grapes". Then when someone says "oh, you want grapes?" you say "okay", as it they just thought of it and you guess you'll go along. Even the way you say "okay" is all drawn out with the emphasis on the first syllable, almost like "I guess I'll let you do this for me, if you insist". It's brilliant and I'm thinking about incorporating it into my daily life:
ME: "raise"
MY BOSS: "what's that? You want a raise?"
ME: "o--kay".
Thanks, Everleigh for coming up with such an awesome strategy for getting your way and making people feel like it was their idea.

Growing: At your 18 month check up, you weighed 23 pounds and were 30 inches tall. This makes you kind of small for your age (like 25th percentile), but the doctor says you're perfectly proportionate and healthy so you're on the right track. Plus Daddy's a shorty, so you're probably not going to be super tall. And that's ok ;) Lately, you've been going through a growth spurt and you're hungry all the time. We feel like we feed you all day (and all night), and it's still not enough. You are a good eater, girly....something you may have inherited from me ;) Your favorite things to eat right now are bagels with cream cheese, corn, chicken nuggets, goldfish, anything noodle-based, cheese, yogurt, grapes, blueberries, and green beans.

Dance Party: At the new house, we have an unfinished basement that Daddy has turned into an art studio. At first, you thought the basement was scary and weird, but after Daddy put up his art and got some color going on and some speakers and whatnot, you decided it is party central. We've had a few dance parties down there, and you love to groove. So now you want to go to the basement all the time, and will say "basement" and then dance this little dance where you tuck your elbows in and bounce up and down while turning side to side. Last night we paused a movie to have a spontaneously requested dance party in the basement. You're that good ;)

Reading: you have always loved books, but lately you are so eager for new information, you can't wait to read. Your favorites? "When I get Bigger", "Ten Little Babies", "Snuggle Puppy", "Go Dogs Go".

Bike Ride: you spotted Mommy's awesome bike she rarely rides in storage in the basement, and insisted we put you on it for a ride. We just let you sit on the seat, but then you leaned in to grab the handle bars like an old pro. You soooo want a bike, but I think you forget like, all the time that you are ONE. So...we're thinking of the best kind of kiddo bike/trike to let you try out this summer. I can already see you wanting to ride a motorcycle or something in the future. Your daredevil nature has not faded one bit.

Genius: So this one may be a stretch (or not?), but we are convinced you're the smartest baby in town. Last night when I was reading you Ten Little Babies, you looked at the number 8 on the page and said "eight". You know some of your colors (blue, red, purple, yellow, green), and you have a really good sense of comedic timing. Genius or not, you're definitely destined for great things!

Vintage: This month Grandma and Pappa went through their storage and attic spaces and found three large tubs full of baby and big girl clothes that used to belong to my sisters and me when we were little. I was born all the way back in the 1980's, and my parents were still pretty big into the 70's still, so a lot of the clothes are 70's ish handmade pieces that Grandma sewed way back in the day. I had so much fun digging through the tubs and reveling at all the amazing little vintage finds. You definitely have the start of a killer vintage collection at one and a half, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous. You could really take it or leave it, but it's been fun for me to put some of my old clothes on you and take your picture!

You surprise me every day with how smart, loving, and brave you are. I write so much in these posts, because I don't want to forget any of it--your little words, your quirkiness, your little crooked toe, the way you laugh when other people laugh even if you don't know what's funny....these are the things that fill my head as I fall asleep at night and that bring a smile to my face when I first wake up. You are the joy in my life, and I will be forever thankful to you for that.

Love always,

Mommy

Dear Everleigh (18 Months!)

Dear Everleigh,

Today marks the day that you turn one-and-a-half years old. And you woke up feeling onry as all get out :) Every day I see you becoming less of a baby and more of a person. It's both exciting and a little sad for me to see, because you'll always be my little baby. But I'm so proud of you and all the things you're learning and doing--the "big girl" you're becoming. Today I watched you sleep as the warm light crept into your bedroom, and I just felt my heart swell in my chest. I couldn't love you more.

Here's what you're up to now:

Mommie's little tomboy: you're still outright refusing to let me put piggies in your hair, and headbands or bows are just a joke. I'm cool with it, although if you only knew how adorable you look in pigtails, you might change your mind. The other day we had brunch at a diner in town, and our waitress saw your peacoat and tennies and short no-frills hairdo and said, "she's a tomboy huh?". And while I hadn't given that too much thought, I guess she's kind of right. I just think of you as YOU, but you are one of toughest chics I know. And good for you. Keep on rocking your personality.

Nakey: lately you've taken to stripping off your diaper after you pee in it, then running around all nakey til we catch you. This is probably a good sign that you'll be easier to potty train, since you apparently don't want to sit in a wet diaper, even for a minute. the bad news? Sometimes when you're running around all naked butted, you also pee on the floor or the bed. No beuno. You did this just this morning and Daddy was not pleased. You are a wild on, Ev.

Teeth McGeeth: I know I've said it a bunch on the blog, but this was a crazy month for you teeth-wise. You've been sort of a late bloomer with your teeth (first 2 at 10 months, second 2 at 12 months, next 2 around 14-15 months...then nothing til now). You must have decided now was the time, because this month you've been banging out like all remaining teeth on the top and bottom, including molars. It's been intense, but you've handled it well. And just think how awesome your teeth will look when it's all said and done?

Little Words: My goodness, lady you have been talking up a storm! You are getting really good at repeating everything people say (which means I have to watch what I say a little more), and wowing me with your abilities. Common things you say: "night night", "baby teeth", "I do!", "I love you", "up high". You like pointing out Mommy and Daddy's facial features "Mommy's nose", "Daddy's teeth". It's pretty cute. you also like to point to your books and say things like "Dora's house", "Boots' house". and the way you say house is super cute too by the way.

Getting ready to move: we are prepping for a move to our new house, and we're trying to make it fun so you can get excited about it too. We've told you all about your new playroom, and driven past the house several times and telling you "it's our new house!". You're excited, and I can't wait to see you explore the new house with us. You've been a good helper too--packing boxes with Mommy and throwing your things in while I try to organize ;) The last box I packed, you kept putting in your Scout doll, your 2 fake eggs, and your shoes and socks. Every time I took them back out, you'd put them in again. You are going to have a blast packing and unpacking with us :)

Getting your groove on: you've always been a music lover, but lately you've been especially into certain beats. I'll look back at you in the car, and you'll be swaying your head side to side like the best of them. You seem to know how to move to the music, which I think is great. I can't wait for more dance parties in the future. You've also started singing with me sometimes, which I love. Foulk family band--what what?

Get You! Right now we like playing the game where when Daddy or I come home from work or school, or even enter the room you're in, we'll say "I'm gonna get you!" and chase you down and hug you. You love this, and you usually run right for us, like "bring it on" and squeal and laugh and it's very cute.

Ev, you are such a sweet and fun and curious little thing. Every day your Dad and I step back and say to each other, "can you believe we made that?" You are so strong and determined, yet soft and sensative. It's so fun being your mom, and I'm excited to see what awaits us next.

Love always,

Mommy

Dear Everleigh (17 Months!)

Dear Everleigh,

You just turned 17 months old (wow! a year and five months old!), and I'm sorry this post is a few days late, but I've been so busy enjoying you lately, I haven't dedicated much time to writing. This was a big month for you! Even though there weren't any huge visible changes-- like busting out some new teeth or growing several inches--you are really becoming a Big Girl, and I couldn't be more proud. Here are some of the highlights from the month:

"Tattoo"--you were curious about Daddy's two large tattoos, and after he explained them to you and told you what they were called, you glommed right on. Now every time you see Daddy's arms, you say "Tattoo", except you put the emphasis on the first part of the word--"TATToo". It's very cute. Last night you got into a sticker book and started putting stickers on your arms and saying "TATToo". Sigh. We love you. No tattoos (or TATToos) for awhile though, k?

Daredevil--honey, you may be trying to worry me to death :) You LOVE being daring, and taking everything as far as you can. Right now, you're way into trying to climb over the back of the couch head first, and even though we catch you every time and stop you, you're determined to experience this rush. I don't think what you think is going to happen will happen. You also started standing on your rocking giraffe, which I understand. But lately you've been taking it a step further and standing on the back rail while holding on to the handles. Maybe you'll join the circus? Be a stuntwoman? Whoever you are, you are brave.

No. No. No (shaking head). No. --ok, it's still pretty cute. But lately when you decide your response to a question is "no", you make sure you get the point across by saying no in a way that leaves no wiggle room. Furiously shaking your head and saying "no" in several different pitches.

"I do"--I'm pretty sure you've never uttered the word "yes", but sometimes if we say "do you want more peaches?" or whatever, you'll say "I DO!", which we love.

"Happy"--Sometimes in mid-play, you will look over at me or Daddy and just say "happy". It literally makes my heart swell. It's amazing how that simple word confirms to us that we're raising a happy girl.

Family time--we've been setting aside lots of time lately for family time, and it's been sooooo good for all of us. The more time we all 3 spend together, the more I feel complete joy in my life. You are so special, Ev. It's impossible to have a bad day with you.

Dreams--you're doing so much better sleeping on your own like a big girl most of the time! Sometimes though, I'll slip in and watch you sleep, or lay with you in the early morning. Lately, you've been talking in your sleep a little. Last week while in a deep sleep, you said "puppy" and just this morning you whispered "Daddy". I hope you're having lovely dreams of puppies and your Daddy while Mommy snuggles you close.

I wish I could tell you how much having you has changed me, but I really couldn't begin to put it into words. Your Daddy and I are so proud of your intelligence, your strength, your bravery, your sense of humor, your sweet nature. And hey, it never hurts to be really good looking either (wink). Never forget--we love you and we're all in this together.

Love always,

Mama

Dear Everleigh (16 Months!)

Oh Everleigh, Everleigh. I just have to shake my head and laugh as I write this, because your personality just gets bigger and bigger each month, and this month you've continued to establish yourself as a real character.

This month felt a little more settled, as we all adjusted to the shedule shift that took place when Daddy when back to school. What it meant for you? Essentially a little less one-on-one time with Daddy, a LOT more one-on-one time with Mommy, mixed in with some additional hang time with Grandpa ("Pappa") and one day a week at your daycare (which you lovingly call "schoo!"). At first, you were excited about school and playing with all new toys. Then you figured out it meant you wouldn't see Mommy all day (til 3), and cried and cried when I dropped you off, which made me sad.

Now we've got it down pat, and on your school day you get all excited. You even learned to kind-of say your teacher's name (Fkadu), which is further evidence to me that you are a genius. You and I wrote a song to sing in the car on the way to school and it goes like this, "school, school, school--school, school, school. I'm gonna have adventures there. School, school, school--school, school, school. And see my friends and teacher there." It's brilliant ;) and you love it.

Here's what else you've been up to this month:

Gobbity Gobbity--your name for Yo Gabba Gabba, which you love. You mostly love the songs and watching the kids dance, and sometimes you try to dance with them or walk up to the TV and kiss the "babies" (your new name for all kids under the age of 10).

Peeeeaaasse?--You learned to ask "please" when you want something, and you quickly learned that saying "please" really increases your odds of getting what you asked for. You can also say "Thank you", which is equally heart-warming.

Eyeth Eyeth Baby--girlfriend, if you love one thing right now in this world, it is ICE. After stumbling on it in a glass of Mommy's water, you became hooked. Now it seems to be all you think about. You request it by name, and even though your "c" sound is a little lispy, it's adorable. "eyeth? eyeth? Peeeeaas?" you ask. And I typically give in and give you some because it's absolutely precious.

Spinning--you've been really into spinning lately. Sometimes you'll spin around and around, and Daddy will count as you go. Your highest spin count in a row is 10.

New words--this month you really blossomed by regularly using words like "awesome", "alright!", and "let's GO!" I hate to say it, but my high school and college cheerleading days must be coming through in my parenting style based on the words you've selected :)

Big Girl--this month you started going down slides by yourself at the park. And I don't just mean the baby slides. I mean even the big, tall scary tube slides. You are very cautious, which makes me proud. but you like to go down by yourself, and every time you do, I tell you what a big girl you are and give you a high five.

Mommy's Girl--the more we get to know your personality, the more Daddy keeps saying you are so much like me. At first I didn't see it as much, but after he pointed it out, I started to see how you are so determined and goal-driven, and unwilling to give up. I think these are all great qualities, and hope to point you in the right direction so they don't create problems for you later on. Oh, and you're also beautiful and smart and cool as heck, which I have to go ahead and pat myself on the back for too (haha).

Walks and Rides--I try to take you on a walk every day (while the Missouri weather holds up). You think it's so neat to see all the squirrles and birds and leaves. On our walks, you always want to hold something in your hand--a rock you found, a leaf, an acorn. At some point in the walk you typically try to eat this object too, so I have to watch, but it makes you so happy to have a little gem from nature, I just have to smile. Also, we scored this free kid caddy seat thing that attaches to bikes to pull little ones. We need a new hitch for it still, but for now, you love to sit in the seat and have one of us pull you around in the driveway. Now when we get close to home from running errands or whatever, you'll say, "ride? ride? RIDE? Peeeeaaaase?"

Laughing Babies--it's no secret that you're not a big laugher. At first this made me a little sad....like, "why isn't little everleigh happier and more lighthearted?" But then it was pointed out to me that although I tend to have a sunny disposition, I don't really laugh out loud much either (unless I'm watching Conan, Bored to Death, or Larry David in action). I'm trying to fix this and get a little more laugter going on in front of you so you know it's okay to cut loose with a belly laugh whenever you want. Last night, we watched the YouTube clips of the roller skating Evion babies, and a clip of a baby laughing hysterically to his dad ripping up paper. You got way into it and laughed like you've never laughed before. Note to self--think if funnier things to do for Everleigh, like ripping up paper.

So that's your world right now, little lady. And as always, things will change. We have a move coming up in December or January, and between now and then we have all kinds of Fall adventures like pumpkin patches, Halloween, Christmas shopping, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. Since you were just a little thing last year, I'm so excited that this year you'll know what's happening and you can get excited about the holidays!

I feel so lucky to be your Mommy, and I'm humbled daily by your love.

Love always,

Momma

Dear Everleigh (15 Months!)

Dear Everleigh,




Today you are FIFTEEN MONTHS OLD! This is crazy, and just so you know all the stuff they say about time flying is true.

Here's what you've been up to this month:

NO: you've learned your declarative word and you are not afraid to use it when asked just about anything. Do you want some food? No. Do you want to take your bath? No. Can Mommy change your diaper? No.  You even say it in this super cute grown-up way that makes you sound more like a real housewife of New Jersey or something than a fifteen month old baby. It's still sort of adorably frustrating and sassy but cute. It may not be in another couple months---we shall see.

BOOK-IT: we made our first library trip as a way to save me from reading the same 20 books you currently own over and over and over and over and over. We checked out 5 on our first visit (Tubby, Oops, Bye Bye Time, Lady Bug Girl Loves, and Naptime for Kitty), which I soon learned were not nearly enough. We had read those 10 times each by bedtime that first night. So we keep going back, and back and back. You have a fondness for the written word that I appreciate :) Especially books with guest appearances by kitties and doggies. Oh and you also continue to express a burning desire to get Mommy and Daddy's books off the grown-up book shelf. You seem especially drawn to Kerouac and Poe, which reinforces my belief that you are awesome.

STINKY FEET: your feet are sometimes stinky/sometimes not. But either way you think it is the funniest thing ever when we pretend to sniff them and tell you they are stinky and wrinkle our noses up. Good times. Even better when Elmo smells your feet and tells you they are stinky stink.

SWINGING: up until now, you've basically allowed us to place you in a swing at the park and then proceeded to look completely indifferent and stare into space while swinging back and forth. But this month you've really gotten excited about the swing, which is decidedly more fun for all of us. You giggle and say whheeeeee! and it's great. You also insisted this weekend on trying to swing by yourself in the big kid swing. We were skeptical, but you held on tight and loved it and did not fall (which is mostly what I was worried about). What a big girl you are, Ev!

MOON WALK: I have to get this on camera, I swear. You only pull this move out when we're rocking out to some fun tunes on the back deck. You turn around and slooowwwly start walking backwards. Now we request it, "do the moonwalk!". To which you typically reply "no." Regardless, Michael would be proud.

DORA and YO GABBA GABBA: for most of your little baby and toddlerhood, you've been pretty uninterested in television shows. Which I think is cool--I don't want you crying for the TV and obsessing about your favorite characters and so on. But it CAN be a pretty handy tool once awhile to have in the parenting tool belt if you need 15 minutes to clean the kitchen or cook dinner (our main living space is open loft-style so the kitchen kind of is the dining room is the living room, etc.). This month for the first time you actually got into watching the occasional Dora or Yo Gabba Gabba episode and watched it all the way through. And while we're making sure not to overdo it, it's so fun to see you get into the shows and wiggle your little booty to the songs. Love it.

TEETH McGEETH: you have been a bit of a late-bloomer in the teeth department (got your first two bottom teeth at 10 months and your top 2 at 11 1/2 months, then nothing). So your mouth is still a little 4-tooth smile. But not for long....we're starting to see some more uppers breaking through and the bottom gums are looking puffy. You may well get a mouthfull of teeth overnight :) My take is that you've been focusing so much energy on being awesome, you haven't had enough extra to dedicate to growing more teeth and hair. Oh, and while we're on the subject, this explosive teething process has made for some interesting nights! When you get into crying because my teeth hurt mode, it's basically impossible to comfort you without totally waking you up, saying your name over and over, and making you look me in the eye. Oh and then giving you some Oragel. Then you usually drop right back to sleep like I pushed a button. Strange....

ADVENTURES IN SLEEPING: we've been working on this big girl bed transition for a couple months now, and you're doing pretty well. I'm glad we went with a full sized bed for you, because you move SO much in your sleep, you need a whole bed. You flip, you flop, you toss and turn. This week, you actually fell off the bed (it's not on a frame so it was only about 10-12 inches up), and onto your strategically place pillow pet. And through all this you kept on sleeping. You stayed on the floor on your pillow pet for about 2 more hours before waking up and being like, "what the??" only in baby language it was more like "waaaahhhh! Ma...ma". You can get up and down off your bed yourself and while this is mostly good, you have scared me a couple times by waking up in the night, not crying or saying anything (I sleep with an ear basically on the monitor at all times), but walking into our room and standing by my side of the bed and then crying. It's probably funny to watch me jump :) And it's also neat that you know where we are and how to come get us. I'm sure there will come a time when I'll miss our nighttime snuggles.

LOVE YOU: you also started saying "Love you" this month, which basically makes my heart melt where I stand every time I hear it. I mean, I guess I already assumed you loved me, but hearing you say it really just amazes me and makes me feel like the luckiest gal around. Love you, Love you, Love you too!

So there you have it-- some highlights from the month. There are so many more things you're doing and learning and amazing us all with, but I don't think anyone wants to read Dear Everleigh, 15 Months
the novel, so I'll keep it short (ish).

You are so funny, smart, intuitive and cool. Every day I spend with you, I am inspired to be more present, more kind, more patient, more inquisitive. I can't wait to see what the next month brings!

Love you always,

Mama

No Means No.

Unless you're a toddler, in which case it may also mean yes, maybe, or "I think I'm hilarious".

Everleigh is a pretty positive gal, but lately she's taken to saying no (sometimes a double no along with a head shake and/or wagging finger) to just about everything. This makes it confusing when she says no about having a drink or being hungry or needing a diaper change, because oftentimes the true answer is YES, YES, YES.

So I'm trying to read her mind all the time...does she really want milk? Should I go ahead and give her a bath right now? Why won't she give her poor mother a hug? ;)

Just when you think the communication gap is closing, no means no but is also means everything else under the sun. Ahh...the joys of toddlerhood.

Dear Everleigh (14 Months!)

Dear Everleigh,

Today you are 14 months old, or 1 year and 2 months for the mathematically challenged. This was a big month for you, and I have to say--I'm loving your toddler stage :)

this is your classic, "nothing to see here!" face

Here's what you're up to now:

Talking--You are such a good communicator, and we love teaching you new words. Lately, you've been on a roll learning a new word every day or two. Some of the words you're saying are:

• "Mama"
• "Daddy"
• "Pappa" (for Grandpa, which you ALWAYS say in a whisper and I'm not sure why but it's fantastic).
• "Hi!" Your newest addition. The way you say it is really high-pitched and excited. Love it.
• "Hey"I know, I know. It's possible this is also you saying "hi", but you seem to use both in the right context and with different inflection, so I'm counting it as two words :)
• "Owl" You have owls on your wall and lamp, and you love to point them out.
• "More" Although it sounds more like "mar"
• "Turtle" This one caught me by surprise but sure as heck, you can point it out in a book and say it
• "Doggie" One of your old-school favorites
• "Kitty" Even though you usually call these doggies, sometimes you remember
• "Apple" 
• "No No" This one comes with a finger wag. You say it sometimes when we are doing something you don't approve of (trying to kiss you or hug you, putting away the diaper caddy so you can't play with it) and also when you're doing something you know you're not supposed to do. 
• "Edmond" Your 5 year old cousin. It sounds really jumbly and wrong but you always say it directly to him.
• "Ernie" Your new favorite Sesame Street character. you like to feed the Ernie doll nang nangs and hold him like a baby and pat his back. It's very sweet.
• "Out" for outside
• "Up"
• "Thank You"--you fought us hard on this one but Daddy insisted and now you're saying it sometimes.

In addition to these words, you've developed several non-verbal ways of communicating. Every time we say the words "hot dog", you raise one arm above your head :) You are waving hello and goodbye, giving high-fives, blowing kisses. You're a one-woman show.

You continue to be fascinated by nature, and your favorite time of the day is your walk with Dad (for which a song has been written :) "going on a walk with Dad. I'm going on a walk with Dad. Don't know where we're going but I know that we'll be strolling when I'm going on a walk with Dad"). Brilliant. We actually have several equally awesome little tunes we've composed just for you, that make our non-breeder friends sick. We're a walking "Steve's Songs" video :) And you love it.

Sometimes I watch you sleep at night and I can't believe how grown up you are. I study your face, gaze at your pretty eyelashes, watch you breathe slowly. In those moments, I am amazed that we made you. You perfect little thing. You inquisitive, unique person. You. It's like you're 1 day old again and I am tired to the core but choosing not to sleep because I can't take my eyes off you.

I love you, Ev.

Mommy

Dear Everleigh (13 Months!)

Dear Everleigh,

Today you are 13 months old, but you think you are a big kid :) And in many ways, you are right! Just last night your Daddy and I were commenting on how grown up you seem, and how little by little your baby-ness is fading. You're crying less and communicating more. You're growing so tall and strong, getting those little teeth in, growing your little baby hair. Every time we look at you, we are overwhelmed by how our love just seems to grow and grow--almost as quickly as you!

Here's what you're up to now:

Applause, applause, you LOVE a good round of applause (confession: I always did too). You love it when people clap for you, or heck, even when you clap for yourself. Now every time I sing you a little tune, you applaud afterwards, and you think it's pretty funny when I bow and say, "thank you. thank you very much. I love you all".

Eating. A long time ago I taught you the sign for "milk", which you use at will. You also developed a method of telling us you want real food instead, and that's by opening and closing your mouth like you're chewing something. You eat. and eat. and eat. Lately, every time I look at you, you're giving me the milk hand or the chewing face. You love yogurt, cheese, Cheerios, fruit, and your organic green snacks.

Talking. You're now saying lots of fun words, which I sometimes understand and sometimes don't. You've added "up" and "apple" to your repertoire, along with "pappa" (for grandpa), and "augy" for Tory (not the nickname I would have chosen, but ok :). You're also making lots of fun animal sounds, like a whispered "roar" for lions, a "who who" for owls, and your old panting sound for doggies. It's super sweet, and girl--you are an animal lover.

Recognizing pictures. It's amazing to me that you were literally born just over a year ago, and you've already learned so much. One of our favorite games right now is to look at your books with you and say, "Everleigh, where is the pony?", or "show me the umbrella". You point right to it about 85% of the time, and when you do, you always give yourself a round of applause :) Mommy's girl.

Big girl room. We decided to skip right over the crib phase, since it was not working for you, and get you a Big Girl Bed to go in your big girl room. It's been fun reclaiming your bedroom (since you've been sleeping in ours for the past 12 months and yours became a makeshift storage space. sorry!), and you absolutely love the bright yellow curtains Grandma sewed for you and the owl and tree decals on your walls. I love that Target actually makes a bedroom set that matches all the handmade items we worked hard on and also received as gifts from family and friends.

Your hugs and kisses. Lately you've been feeling the love and giving out lots of hugs and kisses, which always warms my heart. You like to do it when you want though, and not when you're asked. I like that your spunk is still there--like, "you can't tell me what to do". That may not be cute forever, but I'm choosing to love it right now :)

It's so fun to watch your personality develop, and to constantly reflect on how you are changing and also how you are changing me. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you laugh or hearing you whisper "mama" as you drift off to sleep. I'm right here. I'm right here.

Love you always,

Mommy

Dear Everleigh (12 Months!)

Dear Everleigh,

Today you are officially ONE YEAR OLD.

A year ago today your dad and I met you in the hospital after 17 hours of labor. You had a cord around your neck and you were mad as all get out. But everyone knew from the moment you arrived that you were special. I was so amazed to be holding your little 6 pound 2 ounce body in my arms and staring at your perfect little face. I could not look away.

The comment everyone made over and over was that you were so aware, so observant. You looked everyone right in the eyes and made them squirm a little. You seemed like such an old soul.

Then the crying started. It didn't stop. Your poor little colicky self would cry for hours, and hours, and hours. Sometimes I would cry too. You cried most of the time your were awake for the first few months of your life. Maybe you missed the comfort of the womb. Maybe you had tummy troubles. We may never know. We just held you, wrapped you up, nursed you, sang you songs, and tried to make sure you felt loved.

You grew out of it. You got happier. You got bigger and stronger and more curious. You crawled at 6 months old. That same week, you started pulling yourself to stand. You took your first steps at 9 months, and perfected walking by 10 months. You have slept through the night ONCE in the past 12 months (hey, you can't win them all right?). You are strong and brave and smart as a whip.

You love people, animals, plants, flowers, the outdoors. You make a friend just about everywhere we go, which is something I love about you.

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What you're doing right now:

You have your bottom front teeth, and finally are getting your top front teeth. You've had a tough time with these, and it bothers you a lot, but I'm convinced you're going to have an awesome smile when you finally get em in. You know what it means if we ask you if you want your teething tablets or your Oragel, and you usually tell us yes or no with an excited point or a shake of the head.

You are constantly moving--running, walking, sometimes even crawling just for kicks. You love to chase mommy and daddy, or to be chased. Sometimes you let us catch you on purpose so you can get tickled. You don't like being held unless you're sleepy.

You love books and have us read the same ones over and over and over and over and over. Your favorites are the Gyo Fugikawa books: Babies, 10 Little Babies, Puppies, Pussycats and Other Friends, and Let's Play. You like to look for all the "doggies" and "kitty cats" in the books and point to them excitedly. Oh yes, you now say (in your sweet little baby voice) "mama", "daddy", "doggie", and "kit cat". You tried to say balloon, but it came out more like "ahh-oooh". I can't wait until you're in full on talking mode. It seems like you have a lot to say!

You really honed your ability to tell us no by shaking your head this month. You will shake your head no if someone tries to hold you or kiss you and you don't want them to. You shake your head no if we ask you "do you want some food?" "your sip cup?" "some milk?". It sometimes takes several tries to guess what you want, but it's cool to know for sure you want or don't want something now.

You flipped when we took you to the pet store. Your love for doggies is huge right now. While we never fancied ourselves as pet people, both daddy and I were a hair away from buying you a puppy on the spot just to make you happy.

You love life. You're difficult, but worth it. You seem really smart--you only have to be told once to get it (whether or not you follow rules is another story). Your curiosity is contagious.

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I could go on and on about how much I love you and how amazing you are, but people have jobs and lives and other things to attend to :) I guess I just want you to know how much you mean to me--how much you've changed my life in so many ways. I'm so lucky to be your mommy. Happy Birthday, Ev.


With all my love,

Mommy

Dear Everleigh (11 Months!)

 Everleigh Harper,

Today you are eleven months old. It's difficult for me to accept that you are almost one (where does the time go?!), but also equally impossible to imagine our lives without you. You are so beautiful, brave, and strong. This month has been challenging, because I've been extra busy with work and school and have been more stressed than usual. And you, little miss, have been busy too!

Here's what you've been up to this month:


Now that you've got walking down pat, you're experimenting with running, climbing, and doing what appear to baby yoga moves. You are really exceptional.

Watching the Quixotic street performers at First Friday with Daddy. You loved the drummer the most.

We've been taking you to the park to get some exercise and fresh air as much as possible lately, and you've been loving it. Whenever you see other kids playing, you get super excited and start kicking your legs and talking. You LOVE the "big kids" and believe that you are cool enough to be a part of their group (PS: you totally are). Something I love about you is that every time you go to the park, you seem to make a new friend. It's so sweet to watch you connect with other kids, even if you can't climb the rock wall like them but think you can.


You love the outdoors, which is something I was thrilled to discover. The Missouri winter was not kind to us, so we're just now discovering spring in all its glory, and I love that you're literally seeing everything for the first time. It's so amazing to watch your face as you see a bird fly by, feel rough tree bark in your hands or delight in splashing in a puddle. Sometimes you just stare and stare at people with your fists clenched and an intense look on your face. I'm pretty sure you're just processing it all, but you also seem kind of intimidating, which is hilarious.

Plotting your next move on the playground.

You are talking more, which is so fun! You now say "Mama" (sometimes), "Dadda" (over and over constantly), "Doggie" (which you specifically have said a few times in the right context and blown us all away), and "Nang- Nangs" which is not a real word, but is the word you have chosen to represent your Gerber cereal snacks. You are also communicating better non-verbally by using some baby signs (primarily the sign for MILK) and responding to the question "are you hungry?" by pretending to chew if you want fed. It's pretty awesome to finally get some feedback and reduce the guess-work about what you may or may not want. Beyond that, there's lots of conversational babbling and some singing thrown in to the mix. I love hearing your voice and playing games with you where you imitate what I'm singing. I'm pretty sure you're going to be a rock star ;)

You love to hold your little Oragel tube, which I think is adorable.

One of my favorite times with you is early in the morning when you first wake up. As long as you got enough sleep, you're so sweet and happy, with your little puffy baby face all sleepy-looking. You smile at me and I say "good morning!", then you cuddle me and kiss me and stretch and yawn like a kitty in the sun. It's such a quiet, sweet time, and I love being right there when you wake up for that very reason. You give me so much joy.

All my love,

Mommy