22 Months

I made this one.
Originally uploaded by torturedmommy

Oh Val, you are almost 2. You're really not 1 at all, even though on paper that might be true. But no, you are a Little Girl. Walking, running, talking, using the potty most of the time, running on tiptoes a fair bit and going down gigantic slides all by yourself.

I'm pretty sure if I blink, you'll be pulling out of our driveway to go to college. So I'm trying very hard not to blink because I don't want to miss a thing.

Your favorite two questions these days are "Why?" and "Doing, Mommy?" Even if I've just told you what I'm doing, and why, you still need more information. Or, I think, the same information again just to re-confirm that you've got my attention.

Please don't worry about that. You most certainly have our attention.

Other parents we know talk about how hard it is having a little one. I won't pretend that it's the easiest thing in the world when you're being stubborn, when you're totally underfoot and we're trying to get something done around the house, when you pretend like you don't hear me. But that's all part of what we signed up for, we knew this going in, that there would be times like these (they don't call them the terrible 2's for nothing). All of that frustration is forgotten when you come to us and say 'cuddle you, Mommy' or we catch you sleeping with your butt in the air.

We've already made plans for your 2nd birthday party. I've given up being astonished at how fast the time is going and am just doing my best to cherish every moment with you.