Solstice

Dear Pea,
It is your second summer solstice. Yang energy is over abundant and uncontainable. You and all of your buddies are sick with fever and runny noses. Everyone is erupting teeth, growing taller, voicing their desires and generally running amok. It is deliciously energy draining and I am exhausted. I have my own yang overload and am struggling to find the balance (always) between yours and mine, independence and attachment, do and rest, yang and yin. You have been napping heavily, three hours at a time, after climbing, running, twirling, coloring, stomping, swinging and singing; at 17 months, you are the very definition of "verb." Action.

You know the hand movements to The Itsy Bitsy Spider and request other songs by title. You can basically teach an entire baby boot camp class, squatting, jumping, pulling bands and stretching. First thing in the morning, you run to the door and say "bye bye," requesting to go out, grabbing your shoes.

You walk down the street holding our hands.

You say "purple" and "that's mine!" and "I want some more." You can me "mommy" which I am hoping will be short lived as I was hoping to be "mama."

We started a babysitter this week and she is wonderful. I have more work than I can do with you and relying on favors; it's bittersweet. You cry when I leave but stop before I have stepped down one stair. Last night you fell asleep on her chest. It's also awesome. I am so happy to be working more.

busy busy!

all tucked out after a bike ride to the water park. 

Don't worry, you were wearing your helmet the entire ride

Climb

Dear Pea,
I forgot to mention a big new word and concept lately: CLIMBING. You love to climb on your high chair, into bed, up the stairs...

This is not our stroller

17 months old!

Dear Pea,
You completed your 17th month earlier this week. Lately everything you do astounds me. Yesterday you pulled out The Very Busy Spider, said "Book!" and sat down, opened the book and started saying "Ba!" and "Moo!" That's right, Sweet Pea, you are now reading books on your own. (Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration, but it's still so freaking amazing to me). Also on the communication front, you have a slough of new words (car, truck, thank you, pasta ((pasta is a toy, not food))...) and have started stringing words together: "More chocolate, Mama." You have also invented your own sign!  You *love* the song 5 Little Monkeys and request it by shaking your finger at me, mimicking the scolding gesture we do when we say "no more monkeys jumping on the bed!"  Then you reach out both of your hands to hold a grown-up's hands and start jumping. It's beyond cute, I can't take it.

 jumping with Aunt Rachel & Uncle AJ

 4 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!

You have also started walking backwards for fun. You like to see what you're going to run into. While I wouldn't describe you as a daredevil, you definitely enjoy physicality and adventure. And climbing on things.

The weather has flirted with summer and there have been a few really hot days. We ventured to the water park with some buddies of yours, which you loved. Beyond loved.

"More"  

You have also started having an opinion about what you wear. You almost always want a hat ("hat-tah") and shoes on. Even if only a hat and shoes.

The funniest development to me is how you've been treating Daddy. You have invented games with him that you don't play with me. Most recently is the TV negotiation game. This morning, as we were getting ready to leave the house:

Daddy (turning on the TV to delete things off of the DVR)

Pea: Mup mups!

Daddy: No Muppets, we're getting ready to leave

Pea: Okay, hocko!

Daddy: No, not hockey either, we're getting ready to leave

Pea (pointing at the remote control and nodding vigorously): Daddy, hocko! Yeah, hocko! (smiles very cutely)

Another game is "Hi, baby!" Daddy comes home from work and immediately gives you a snuggle and says "Hi, baby!" To which you reply "Hi, baby!" and this then goes on and on. You never call me baby. It's pretty hilarious to watch.