To Lydia at 14 months

Dear Sweet Lydia,

Originally I wasn't going to write you letters monthly during your second year of life, but with so many new developments I have decided to continue every other month. You are still my little baby girl, but you sure are growing fast! You are quickly becoming a toddler, and your attitude is proving it! You have quite the personality all packaged into a little body. We have done several fun things these past couple of months, including your first rodeo, Mardi Gras parade, a couple of visits to Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's and your first time on a horse! You loved all of them, well, except the parade. But you love playing with all the beads you acquired! Some of your developments include (but are not limited to):
*Climbing onto whatever furniture you can get your chubby leg on. Luckily you are also fairly good at going back down!
*Opening all the drawers within your reach. This has caused the next step of baby proofing in your bedroom (taping the drawers closed on all of our storage bins kept in your bedroom).
*You love playing with stickers! You love putting them on you and taking them off and sticking them wherever you can. Unfortunately this also means stickers always stuck to the bottom of our feet as we walk around the apartment!
*You respond to simple commands, such as getting your shoes, picking up a toy we point at, and coming to us when we ask.
*You have learned the sign for "more" (in your own way). You point to your other hand rather than touching all of your fingers together.
*We have caught you saying several words, but you aren't quite repeating them yet. I am pretty sure you said "horse" the other day. And your other common ones are "mom", "daddy", "shoes", "bye bye", and "hello".
*(My favorite one) You give us kisses! It's really more like a lick, but it's sweet all the same!

I know I haven't named everything new you do now, but these are a few that stand out to me. I love watching you learn and grow! You are teaching me so much! Most of all, to put aside the work once in a while and just play. I love you so much and am so excited to share this time with you! Thank you for choosing to come to our family!

love,
Momma

Riding the carousel at Morgan's Wonderland

Playing dress up with Daddy

The petting zoo at the Rodeo

Sorting your finds at the rodeo

It's Bluebonnet season again!

Horseback riding!