Month Fourteen

Dear Colin,

Happy 14th month birthday little man.

And little man you are. You officially no longer act, talk, or look like a baby but that of a little boy. Daddy and I have been commenting the past few weeks about how much you are growing and developing and changing but last night it was even more shocking. We went last night to go see Lauryn at the hospital and we were flooded with emotions. The last time we were there was when you were born. We remembered vividly the drive to the hospital, the 17 hours of labor with a barely working epidural, and the sweetest reward of our (cough - my) hard work. She was so sweet and tiny and quiet and perfect. It felt like yesterday and a lifetime ago that you were that little. We walked into Grandma and Grandpa's house and there you were (happily)screaming as you crawled up the stairs and then slid down it on your belly - over and over and over. You are far from tiny or quiet but still full of sweetness and perfection. Uncle Jason has a phrase he used to use on Micah alot - "Micah happened." The other day Uncle Jason was dropping off Micah and Micah asked what happened to the TV cabinet that you young man broke and Uncle Jason goes "Colin happened." Micah looked at Mommy and then back at Uncle Jason and goes "yeeeeeeah Colin happened." It was so funny but more than it was funny, it is true. Colin you have happened this month and in a big ole way. You happened when we were at the grocery store and you pushed an entire end cap of food on my head all while laughing. You happened when Daddy found you inside your toy box instead of nicely playing in your toy room. You happened when you learned to throw your food on the floor when you don't want something or are full. You happened when you realized can empty your crib of your pipey and blankets and your stuffed animals, oh yeah and your PANTS! You also happened when I came to pick you up from daycare and while I was talking to your teacher, you walked up to me all by yourself and proudly said "hi." You also happened when we can watch you dancing in your car seat excitedly jamming to the music. You also happened when you give your big bear hugs, you cuddle on our shoulders, and when you can make us laugh even when you are sleeping.
You are getting so big Colin. You can ask, in your own way, for what you what. You can walk to what you want and get it yourself. You are moving up classes at daycare and are getting used to the Toddler Room by sleeping on a cot. Yes my no napping-at-daycare-child is now sleeping 2 hours on a cot! Your list of words are increasing and you've added and some I forgot to mention last month (and some I'm sure I'm forgetting now): diaper, bottle, Grandpa (sorry Grandma, soon. I promise!), pipey, baby, book. You can 'read' your Mirror Me book and know the next page before I even turn it. You point at gecko's big wide eyes, stare in the mirror of the sun, you play with your tongue with the frog, you puff and blow at the coo, make monkey noises to super silly monkey Jane, and play peak-a-boo with Violet. When I ask you to find your choo choo train, you'll walk over and grab it hitting the top until you find your favorite song. You try to put your socks on your feet and know your shoes go on your feet - although you prefer to rip both off. You are learning to play nicely by yourself and somedays even obey the word no :)
You and Daddy stopped into my work tonight. It quickly became busy, so I went back to work while you and Daddy waited out front. While I was away, you talked and talked and talked; you were typical loud talkative Colin. My co-worked commented about how loud you were today and I said it's normal. But Coli, you are anything but normal. You are my sweet boy whose face lit up when you saw me poke my head around the corner at work. You are my dancing partner and music lover. You are the boy who makes me laugh so hard with your silliness. You are the one who melts my heart when you reach for me when I get home from work and lay your head on my shoulder saying 'ahhh.' And although you aren't a tiny newborn baby, you are still my baby and I love you more today than I did 14 months ago.

With all my love,
Mommy