17 Months

January has flown by, like we knew it would. It's been kind of a rough month for you. I think you get frustrated about not being able to communicate, and the only way to tell us you want something is whining. It makes it hard for all of us sometimes.

Your dad went to the USCC composting conference this month, and was gone for just under a week. Of course, it was the one week of the winter when we had a huge snow and ice storm, trees were falling all over town, power was out, and (of course) I had an important web event for work. We muddled through--Kym came over at 6:30 in the morning through feet and feet of snow to be here when you woke up so that I could do the event. The internet held out just long enough that no one on the line even knew we were single parenting in two feet of snow.

We went over to Kyla and Copeland's house a couple of times, since Pierce was out of town, too. You and Copeland are pretty cute together, and I hope that you'll grow up to be good buddies. He's a sweet boy, with lots of boy tendencies (like running fast into things, throwing things without warning, etc). One night you two took a bath together and he accidentally bit you. I say accidentally because I really don't think he meant to. In fact, it was probably my fault. He was sort of squiggling around in the tub, drinking the tub water, and ended up with his mouth on your arm. Right when I said, "careful, Copes, don't bite" it was like his brain thought, "oh, biting, that would be fun!" and chomped. It wasn't really much of a bit, just left a tiny mark, but you criiiiied and pointed at Copeland and pointed at your own teeth and pointed at your arm and made a big sad deal of it and Kyla felt horrible.

You usually get to play with Jenny on Tuesdays. She comes over in the morning after she drops off Simon and Alivea to get you. You usually squeal and run over to meet her when she comes in. I put your carseat in her car, while you wait patiently to get in, and then you happily give me a kiss and wave goodbye to me. It is so cute. I think you both enjoy your time together. Jenny loves you so much, and thinks you are amazing, just like we do.

Noni and Grandpa Rick gave us a zoo pass for Christmas, and the first time we went with you was so so fun. I took you once last summer, but you were still totally a baby, and this was completely different. My best memory was when we stopped off at the bathrooms, came out, and across the way we could see the tiger exhibit. I said, "Look, Ry! A tiger!" and you squealed so loud and went running off across the path to look at them. I was surprised by so many things: First, the fact that you even understood what I was telling you, since I'm fairly sure I've never said those words to you before. Second, by the fact that got it that there were tigers over there for you to look at, and third, by the fact that you were running!!

The polar bears were another big hit. When we went in, one of the bears was pouncing on this big plastic jug, making a lot of noise. You watched so intently, and waved your arms and got really excited. The funniest part, though, was a few days later I brought up the zoo and starting talking about the polar bears and you become obsessed! You started banging your hands on the table, and showing me what the bear was doing, and you'd bring it up randomly for days and days to come. It was the first time that I understood you telling me about something that had happened in the past, and it was very cool.

For some reason I've had in my head that 17 months was a really challenging age, that we were constantly struggling to keep up with you, stay positive, and take advantage of all the moments we get to teach you to be your happiest self. Looking back at these videos and photos, though, I'm not sure what I was thinking. You are absolutely wonderful. So thoughtful and interesting and funny and fun. We sure do love you.