17 Months

Dear Evie Rae,

Today you are 17 months. Mommy is able to actually write this on the exact day because you are asleep and daddy and his band are out playing a gig. I need to mention how much you love daddy and his music. You bob up and down to all of his songs, even though you've heard them a million times. And believe you me... mama doesn't bob up and down to them anymore. Not after a jillion band practices in our garage.

This month was 30 more days of me shaking my head in disbelief at the little girl you've become. The little girl you've been in many ways since day one. You take on the world marching with your elbows out and yet you are the sweetest, funniest little thing. You've learned this month how to "shake your sillies out" (as the Wiggles would put it). Every once in a while you just get to feeling silly and you'll sing a little song, scream, shake your head, fall down... all because the moment struck you. Because you are so very confident and capable it does add even more humor to the times that you fall, not just the silly falls but the many many times that you are in a full sprint and land with a thud. And you fall a lot. Some of it has to do with your age but most of it has to do with us being your parents. At one point this month you had two large scrapes on your forehead, a bruise under your eye, a scratch on your cheek and the remnants of your first bloody nose. You are much more dramatic about injuries when you are inside though. You love being outside SO much that you play hard, we hold our breaths, and you don't admit that you really, really want to cry. That could mean that we take you inside. And you can't have that.

We went to the Phoenix zoo last weekend. You called all of the animals DAWGS! Somehow you yell that word and have a southern drawl. Aunt Brandy says it may be that you are suffering from Randy Jackson syndrome but I think that you may have a whole lot more sillies that need to be shaken out!
You also growled at all of the animals which is one of your favorite things to do. Once you walked up to a lady whom you'd never met in your life on the playground, stopped in front of her and growled as loud as you could. I was left shrugging and explaining "she's very delicate".

As if daddy has any reason to question that you are in fact 110% is baby girl all he has to do is take you into 90 degree heat in Phoenix. The moment I opened the car door I was met with bright red cheeks. I flashed back to all of the times that I have seen daddy bright red. This means I will always know if you've had too many beers and hot wings.

Your constipation is still a constant struggle. I can't tell you how many blessed text messages I've received at work that say "she pooped". Of course I need to find out the details. When? How much? Consistency? Did she strain? Our world revolves around your bm's and our cupboards are filled with high fiber foods. Every time we seem to have you regular you cut a tooth and don't poop for days. This means mommy has to cry and give you a suppository or an enema. My poor baby girl, of all the things to plague you. Rest assured mommy, daddy and auntie Clara are becoming pooparrazi, nothing goes unnoticed and we are always wanting more.
You are such a little baby sponge and I love being shocked daily by the things that you learn. You run, dance your little butt off, talk up a storm and love being at big brother's school. Daddy brings you in with him when he picks up brother and you walk up to each child and start a jibber conversation, complete with talking with your hands. When I drop Oakley off in the morning you cry the saddest cry because you can't go too. I promise sweetie that the day will come that I drop you off at school too. Until then I just want to snuggle on the couch, hope for a bowel movement, watch the Wiggles and talk about the DAWG.

Love, Mama