This has been an interesting month for you. You've learned to open doors, and we've pretty much done away with sippy cups. You're repeating things we say more and more. And you've become Daddy's best friend. You've been really snuggly for everyone the past while, which is very cute. You snuggle with Papa quite a bit, and Grandma Joan. This month I've had Christmas concerts, which meant I hardly saw you at all for a week. Then the next weekend Mama and I went away for a vacation. This past week you've LOVED your Daddy time. You snuggle with me a lot, and always come find me and pull me to whatever it is you want me to do. And I'm falling in love again with your clear blue eyes, and your cute wrinkled-nose grin. I'm especially excited that you're talking more. Not a lot of it makes sense yet, but you've picked up quite a few more words. Just yesterday I got you to count to ten with me, and today you repeated the alphabet with me. I'm still looking forward to hearing your voice, and what's going on inside your head.
A few weeks ago you learned how to say, "All done!" I put you in the tub one night for a bath, and left you to play in the water while I cleaned up a little. Pretty soon you were yelling, "All done! All done!" I went back in to check on you, and you had let all the water out and were ready to get out. I love that you know what you're saying. I just hope it catches on soon that you can say things that mean something to everyone else in the house. Communication is a good thing.
I've said this before, but I love when you play games with me. One of your recent games is repeating "Daddy" with different inflections. Sometimes you'll copy me, and sometimes you want me to copy you. My favorite is when you say "DaddeeEEeeEEeeEEeeEEeeEEee". I'm especially excited that you can change the tone of your voice, because I have this desire for my kids to learn Chinese, and that's an important part of the language. I need to do more about teaching that to you and Jonah.
It has been quite a year for you. You've gone from simple walking straight to climbing on everything, running, jumping, and generally being much more adventurous than when Jonah was your age. You've learned a lot of signs, and lots of words too. I'm excited for you to really start talking this next year.
I think we're going to have a fun year. We have lots of ideas for places to go on vacation, and lots of fun things to do at home and near home. Jonah's still in school, so you get some alone time with Mama, and when he starts Kindergarten you'll get even more.
You've turned into a super cute little girl. I'm excited for all the new things you'll learn, but I'm also sad you're not our little baby anymore. We'd like another little baby, of course, but if that doesn't happen I'm very happy to have my two cute kids. You make me smile all the time.
I hope you know I love you. Your Mama and I are going to do everything we can to make this next year a good one for you and Jonah. Keep learning and growing. And don't forget to keep charming your silly Daddy.
Love,
Daddy