Letter Month Nineteen

Dear Sena,
You're officially closer to two than you are to one, and you're making it abundantly clear to everyone, too.

This month you've continued to learn new words each day, although "no" is still quite a favorite. And, you're stringing together more words as well. Today is October 28th and we officially are having a snow day. As in, it has been snowing since 7 p.m. last night and we have over 7 inches outside already. At first you seemed like you liked the snow. "Snow, outside?" And, then I bundled you up and took you to swimming and after swimming, when we stepped back outside into the snow- and it blew into your face- you said, "All done, snow. All done, snow." Sorry, honey, but this is one that I just don't have any control over.

This was just before she decided she didn't like the snow.

This month we went and visited mama's family in California. You got to see great grandpa Sam, Great Aunt Bonnie & Uncle Allan (and cousins Rachel, Todd, and Ilana), and Great Aunt Linda. I think you were overwhelmed, but you seemed to really take to Ilana who had the job of reading you Elmo on the way back from the airport. (Afterward, Ilana said to me, "I'm pretty sure I read that book like 11 times" to which I responded, "welcome to my world."

After our visit with the family, we drove up the coast to Ventura to see Mackenzie, Erin & Brent. You met them in January in New York, when Mac was a hundred paces ahead of you-- but now you're on the same level.. and apparently love each other. I nearly fell to pieces many times watching you two interact. You'd be best friends, holding hands and kissing, and then you'd be taking toys while Brent & papa tried to figure out how to teach you the big life lesson of sharing. Good luck daddies! We had so much fun with them though. I really wish we lived closer so we could share in a lot more of these moments, including watching papa, Brent, you and Mac sing "Ring Around the Rosey" dozens of time to your utter amusement, or when you and Mac created a chorus of singing to the moon one evening as Erin and I drove home from dinner. I thought Erin and I were going to die of laughter listening to you two in the backseat... "moon".. "moon"... "moon". Mac's "moon" was a bit more high pitched and soft, whereas yours was a bit more emphatic. Like "moon," where the ^*& is it?? It was hard leaving after watching you and Mackenzie bond so quickly, but we're hoping to lure the Kraus's out to Colorado this winter.

Don't they just look like they're going to be trouble someday?

Just resting. Really.

You also got to meet Mike & Brooks and their son Jack- who really is a spitting image of his papa. And, Brooks has another one on the way. (We think they might be crazy, but who's telling?)

Mike & Jack

The three proud papas.

You saw Sesame Street for the first time while we were visiting the Kraus's as well. I say "saw" because you didn't really watch. You saw Elmo on the screen and got really excited, but your face quickly fell when Elmo "left". You kept demanding that he come back, but when he didn't, you lost your interest.

You LOVE reading. Most of the day you spend handing me books, saying "reap" and "lap", and we read, and read, and read. We read for about 10 minutes each time you go on the potty, before all of your naps, before you eat.. you name it. You're my little bookworm (and I'm not so secretly quite proud!)

And, this month we bought you a membership to the Children's Museum. I'm not sure what part you love the most- the ball that floats, the play kitchen, or the "ticket" counter..

Tickets please.

Honey everyday you amaze me. I really can't believe how quickly you're learning everything, how much you take in each day, and how much your personality is developing. I love what makes you light up. I love making you laugh. You honestly bring so much joy to your papa and me.

love you,
mama