Dear Scarlett,
Two nights ago, your father informed me that you were sleeping with your toothbrush. "She wanted to," he explained. I asked why he didn't just take it from you, but he said you grabbed it, rolled over on top of it and fell asleep. "The good news," Dad said, "is that she brushed her teeth first."
You definitely know what you want, that's for sure. Lately, you follow me, Dad and Aunt Lizzie around, chanting "up, up, up, up, up" until we lift you up to hold you. Sometimes you stay that way, playing with our hair and sometimes you start wiggling immediately, wanting to be put down so you can demand to be picked up again.
You are walking all over the place on your own now, which never fails to make us laugh. It's still just so fun to see you toddle into a room. You are 15 months old and you weigh 23 pounds and are 31 inches tall. At your last doctor's appointment, you were not very nice to Dr. Becker and swatted his hands away whenever he came near you. You got two shots and cried like crazy until I pulled out Ask Me, a book for older kids, and showed you your favorite page, a picture of a little curly haired child we call The Sweet Baby.
Lately you have been gathering up your books and taking them to your bean bag chair where you will sit for extended periods of time, just flipping pages and talking to yourself and Aunt Lizzie. You have become slightly obsessed with sheep noises. Today I heard the following conversation in your room.
Aunt Lizzie: What does the duck say? Quack quack.
You: Baaa, baaaa
Aunt Lizzie: Quack quack
You: Baaa, baaa, baaaaaaaaa
This went on for some time, but I don't really know how long, because I had to go back to work. But there will come a day very soon when I don't have to leave you to go down the hall to my office. In fact, my office is about to become just a good old dining room, because I have officially given notice to my company and my last day is approaching. I am so excited that I will be staying home with you!
Here is what happened: Aunt Lizzie got a new, big job and she is starting in August. Dad and I discussed it and we didn't want anyone else to watch you if Lizzie couldn't do it. She has been amazing--a topic for another letter. I am very very happy for her, but sad for you both since I know you'll miss seeing each other every day. It will be quite a change for all of us. I know I'm ready, though. I can't wait to be there with you every day as you continue to learn and grow.
Love,
Mom
