22 Months (a little belated)

Note: Written November 5, 2013.

To My Sweet Genevieve,

Genevieve and Cousin Simone  after a breakfast taco date at Rudy's.

You have become quite the talker in the last few weeks, and Daddy and I (and even a few other people) know what you are saying most of the time.  You have added dozens of words and repeat much of what we tell you (which is exciting and a little scary).  One of the best things is that you are starting to say some of your friends' names and you even started calling your cousins by their names on the same day.  When we're going somewhere you often ask, "Mone? Beck?" wondering if Simone and Beckett will be there.  We've been lucky enough to meet up with them several times recently which has resulted in a lot of fun play-time and pictures and the three of you are becoming quite the trio.  It will be so fun to see how you grow together in the coming years.

Grammy visited last week and the two of you had a great time riding your bike, going on walks and playing at the park while I was working.  You had two full days to spend together, just the two of you!  It became much clearer when she was visiting that she is "Ma" and I'm now "Mommee" which I love.

Pumpkin Patch October 2012

And this year, what a difference!

 We just celebrated Daddy's birthday and you loved helping blow out the candle and singing happy birthday.  With many of your friends celebrating birthdays and a slew of birthdays in our family this time of year you are starting to really enjoy the "Happy Birthday" song.

...because I just couldn't resist.

You were Dorothy for Halloween...

After dancing, singing and catching the rain.

The alphabet song, "If You're Happy and You Know It," and "Old McDonald" are also favorite tunes, but Joe Scruggs' "I Got a Button" that was a favorite of mine as a kid is by far your FAVORITE song right now and we listen to it three times EVERY time it comes on when we're in the car.  Bruno Mars Radio on Pandora is one of our favorites to listen to in the house and often results in a full on dance party.

You are becoming a puzzle wizard and can practically do your jungle floor puzzle by yourself and figured out how to fit several pieces of your new dinosaur floor puzzle (thanks Grammy!) together the moment we opened the box.

We have really enjoyed spending time outside now that it's a little bit cooler and with several rounds of rain you've also found a love for dancing and "catching" the rain.  One day we got home just as it was starting to sprinkle and you ran from the car to the driveway enjoying the rain drops or "bubbles" as we call them--within minutes it was pouring and you loved getting drenched--I had to run out from my dry spot in the garage to bring you inside!

We attended "Touch a Truck" with your buddy, Hudson and got to ride in a fire engine, got a custom-made turtle balloon bracelet and attempted to ride a pony but neither or you were very excited about that idea.

I love your spirit and energy, even when your temper flares, or you manage to make another escape -- you are always keeping me on my toes.

Love,

"Mommee"