20 months and counting…
Happy 20 month birthday, Sophia!
Yesterday you turned 20 months old. Twenty! My mind is still trying to wrap itself around that number as you become more of a little person, uniquely you, every day.
This weekend I got your hair cut because, let’s face it, it was crazy and flowy and just plain awesome (if you were in a 70s hard rock band). But summer is coming and it’s already really hot here in L.A., so we decided to go SHORT! Seriously, a toddler with a bob? Can’t think of many things cuter.
Also? You’re really into being naked right now. I mean, you really like it. You cry for nakedness every time we cruelly make you wear clothes. We’ll turn around for a second and all of a sudden you have your shirt off or your pants dangling by one leg. If you could live your life in just a diaper (or less), you would. Happily. This has been cause for much laughter by your dad and me, and also much shaking of heads and closing of blinds.
I love that you’re using your words so much these days. I read somewhere recently that at your age, toddlers generally add about 10 words to their vocabulary every day. I’m totally not surprised by that. I would have been, if you weren’t constantly yelling out favorite food items and random body parts and toys you want to bathe with and expensive furniture you want to color on. Every day, new words and new names for things. You’ve started naming all your books, too, which makes picking want you actually want to read each night a lot easier. Before, we’d go through a lot of grunting and pointing and me picking up lots of the wrong books and you frustrated and teary. Now, it’s Panda! or Bunny! or Goose (Mother’s Goose, of course)! Really, thanks for using words. Sometimes you forget your names for things and get frustrated again. But when you remember to tell us what you want, it makes it easier on all of us. Let’s keep doing that, m’kay?
There are only two possible responses to a question in your mind these days. There is no maybe. There is no yes. There is simply no and OK. Thankfully, your no is usually quite sweet and not too demanding. But your OK is what kills me. You say it about everything. “Want to read your bunny book tonight?” “Ah-K.” “Want some chocolate milk?” “Ah-K.” “Do you love mommy?” “Ah-K!”
Tonight while we were lying in your room reading before bed, you noticed my belly button and instantly dove in with your finger, laughing and tickling. You buried your face into my belly and blew raspberries and kisses, drooling all over me and giggling until you couldn’t breathe. Then, as I tucked you in, I kissed you softly on the cheek and whispered good-night. “KISS!” you said to me and turned your lips towards mine. You wanted a real kiss, not one of those fake cheek pecks. Of course I obliged, leaning down so you could plant a big wet one on my lips. These tender and fleeting moments constantly remind me how wonderful it is be your mom — to get to hang out with you and watch you grow. And right now, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else in the entire world.
Sweet dreams, my sweet girl.
