Letter Month 21

Dear Sena,

This past month has been a whirlwind of activity from making, buying and wrapping gifts to eating and unwrapping them. I am looking forward to the day when you want to unwrap your own gifts; it just somehow feels a little strange to unwrap the very gifts I wrapped for you myself.

Your favorite holiday gifts this year (not in any order): your table from Grandma & Grandpa Williams, your kitchen from Santa, and your purse from Grandma & Grandpa Montana. (I told you it would stick.) When you first opened the purse I figured you'd know what to do with the phone and keys, but you grabbed the lipstick and immediately started putting it on your lips. (Thank goodness there wasn't really anything in there.) I don't wear lipstick, and really no other women you know do. So, how did you know how to put it on so well???

You love sorting your groceries and making mama and papa coffee and tea. You also like to load our plates up with fruits and vegetables, serving us, until you find some other toy that takes your attention away.

But your biggest accomplishments this month are not your affinity for cleaning your kitchen or you natural talent at lipstick application; again, like the last few months, it is your vocabulary. You quickly remind me of the fact that you're much closer to two than you are two one with the amount of words—and the comprehension—you have. And, you're spelling to boot. You can spell your name as well as papa, mama, Elmo, and babu (your pink bear). And you're trying to spell grandma everyday. Sentences are common place, and you can easily repeat nearly everything we say, so our guards are officially up on our language usage as well. You've also started using the filler of "um," which means either your papa or me uses it on a frequent enough basis that you've not only learned the word but also the usage.

Me: Sena, what would you like for snack?

You: "Ummm." Pause. "Cheese! Bunny Crackers! No eggs."

Me: Okay. So, cheese and crackers?

You: Eggs and milk. Please.

Me: ???

Sena, your papa and I are so amazed at everything that you do and how you comprehend the world around you. We love seeing what you gravitate toward, and what you're not so interested in learning... and are so excited to see what the New Year has to offer. Aside from our fear of the terrible twos.. but you'll skip that stage, right?

You: Umm..

Love,

mama

Letter Month 20

Dear Sena,

As I'm writing this, you're moving all of your toys, animals, puzzle pieces, a fishing pole, and more to the stairs and having everything "sit". I'm waiting for you to start moving furniture. And, while I'm totally amazed at your focus and desire to rearrange things, I'm also not all that surprised. I am your mother afterall.

This month I am constantly surprised at your developments. You can now string five words together in relatively coherent sentences, often repeating whatever it is we just said. (I.E. yesterday, you said, "thank you mama". I followed with "your welcome Sena." To which you replied:

"Thank you mama, welcome Sena"

When we were in Phoenix a few weeks ago, you were playing with some toys and lost your attention. Papa said to you, "did you lose your attention?" And, you started looking under the tables and couch, saying "tension? tension?" I wish I had been there to see it, but ahh, I was getting a massage that left me with hot oil in my eye...

This picture is in Arizona.

You started art classes this month and seem to really enjoy the painting. I have to laugh at the classes, however, because I feel like most of it is Mommy Craft hour, and I almost should come home and say to Steven, "look what I made today!"

Grandma & Grandpa came to visit, and prior to their visit Grandma Sheree told you they were coming from Montana.. somehow that really stuck, and now they are referred to as Grandma Montana & Grandpa Montana. My mother, loving Montana as much as she loves us I'm pretty sure, is thrilled with her new name and is probably hoping it will stick. I guess you'll get to decide.

Ahh, and your second Thanksgiving. Last year we had 11 adults and four kiddos under the age of 1. This year, you were the only child- and we had 8 adults- and somehow it was more stressful for me. Maybe it was because I forgot that I only had one oven to bake 2 pies, rolls, and a casserole in?? And, then on top of it- you didn't like anything on the menu. I think you had Mexican for dinner that night, which has become your new go-to staple.

We've had a pretty warm winter thus far, and although you're not a fan of standing in the white stuff, you do enjoy the Snowmen that result from a good snow. You loved peeking through grandpa & grandma's window, staring at the neighbor's snowman. But, I also think you like to peek through because you have a crush on the two boys across the street. On the days where you get to see them you spend the rest of the afternoon pretending you're saying hi to them-- waving your arms, smiling all coy-like, and saying "Hi, Josh.. Hi Oah" (Oah is for Noah. Not sure why you don't say Noah since we're very certain you know how to say NO.)

Last note... for my little actress.. you were giving out your thank-you's the other morning. Thank you mama, thank you papa, thank you Elmo, thank you Baboo, thank you blankie... Papa finally asked, "Are you an actress?" And you smiled and said, "uh-huh. Actress."

So, congrats on your Oscar Sena.. I love you so much.

love,

mama

I love this photo!