Lucia - 20 months

 Dear Lucia - you are 20 months old now and the terrible twos are defiantly approaching. There have been so many milestones I'm not sure where to start.

I've been back at work for a while now and you are settled right into the daycare. Most days you wander off to play without even looking back. The other morning when we got to the door you shook your fists in excitement and asked for "ninas!". In between work and home it's been a bit of a whirl wind. You have responded beautifully by becoming more independent. Feeding yourself and playing with your brother for up to 20 minutes at a time. Well done little girl! You are also beginning to watch TV and will ask for "doda" (Dora) or "gangasye" (Gangum Style - you can blame your father for this one.)

Your language has begun to turn from words into sentences. You've moved way beyond "Spiderman" and today you told me "Lucia no tiene popo." (Lucia isn't poopy... in case you couldn't figure it out.) You did by the way, you can't fool Mama.

Your cautious steps from 15 months have become a little trot and I have even seen you jump a few times - with both feet off the ground.

You love books which you first called "cuento" along with the sign but you are now asking "I wan book". It's how I get you up to bed.. Lucia, cuento? "Book! Ya!" On that topic you are sleeping better. You've taken to crying yourself to sleep lately (after several months of not) but you are also sleeping through the night so I'm not complaining.

Now that you're near two we've got some pretty spectacular tempers. You show your quiet and reserved side to most of the world but you are also definitely not going to let yourself get pushed around. Good job and keep it up.

I'm proud of you little girl - you are growing up smart and funny and I sure am looking forward to the next couple of years... but more on that later.

Love always,

Mama

Favorite Phrases:

"I wan book."
"I wan jugo."
"I wan Dedo (Diego)."
"I wan..."
"Mas, mo!, mo, mas!" (This is called hedging your bets - one of those languages is bound to work.)
"Ya!"

Lucia 15 months

Dear Lucia - you are 15 months old now. That means we're heading towards two and I wouldn't have believed it except that in the last week or so you have catapulted into 'little girl'.

Somewhere around the beginning of this week you decided that you were ready to walk. I knew you had it in you and were just biding your time. I was like that - not wanting to try new things till I was SURE I could do them well. You are cruising all around the house and back yard and rarely fall. It feels like with your walking your words have also started to flow too.

In signs you are saying: milk, more, again, food, baby, sleep, food, juice (the sign + "juuu" for jugo and ahhh for agua), cracker, work, fan, light

In words you say:  "Spiderman" (this is your most recognizable and reliable word), "wow wow" (dogs), Mama and Papa when you are really upset or need something. You are also using recognizable sounds for Diego, elephant, cow, duck

You are very insistent when you have something to say and are really good at communicating in general. I think Papa will find that, like me, once you have enough words he does not have the 'nice quiet girl' he thinks he does.

You love to play with your brother and your shining eyes and excited screams now that you are able to chase after him are an absolute joy to watch and hear. Diego loves you too and just this morning he told me "Close the door mama and I will play with my sister". The two of you played together in your room for 10 minutes perfectly happily. This is a great sign of things to come. I hope you will always get along this well.

In two weeks I start back to work and you go into daycare full time. I hope you enjoy it as much as you did during our test run in the spring. I have had a wonderful summer watching you turn from baby to toddler.

All my love: Mama

One Year (and a bit)

Dear Lucia - you are one year old now. (OK - a month and a half ago, it's been busy!) Just before your birthday I went back to work, somewhat unexpectedly, and so you have had a busier month that we had originally planned.

You learned to be at the daycare. With very few tears or fussing (one unhappy day and a few sniffly mornings) you settled into your new routine. You have learned the circle time routine is just a few weeks and will now ask for "Itsy Bitsy" and then move right into "Two Hands Up". It's so fun to watch you enjoy music. You have even let me come and visit you at lunch, which was the best part of my day at work. I come in for 10 minutes or so at 11:00 and then go and let you each lunch. Like all things, you take these visits in stride. With only a little bit of whimpering when I go, near the end you would even wave and go off on your own to find Tracy so she would read you a story. You are so chill!

We also found out this month that you have an egg allergy. After throwing up egg twice, our family doctor recommended that we take you to an allergist. The skin test came back positive and so you are now the proud owner of an epi-pen. We have cut egg out of your diet completely and we are hoping that you will outgrow it. We are now exploring baking without eggs or gluten. It hasn't fazed you at all and you continue to eat anything I put in front of you.

You are more relaxed than your brother, but also more cautious. You have been standing and cruising for a while but have not taken the leap of faith to let go. We have caught a few hesitant steps - I think, mostly, when you forget that you can't walk. Yesterday you did take two steps for me to capture on camera. You're like me little one - I also like to be really sure I'll do well before venturing into new projects. I didn't learn to ride a bike till I was 10 and could teach myself. We can be cautious together while the boys run around and jump off of things.

Your communication has also taken a big leap. You are signing for 'milk' and 'more/again' and 'book' very clearly. With some prompting we have also seen: play, sleep, apple, and Cherrios. You are making lots of sounds and pointing to make requests but not too many words yet. Like the walking you are just waiting till you can do it well. I won't be surprised if you don't talk much at all until one day you come out with: "Mama, can you pass my cup please."

You have also learned to kiss (with sound and all) and are using it to win over the boys. Kisses are forthcoming and frequent for both Papa and Diego. You tried it on my one night as well to put off bedtime. It's hard to say "No more kisses Lucia - you have to sleep!" Speaking of bedtime, you are not nursing at night anymore and are mostly sleeping through most nights. This has been a great gift to your father and I. 

I'm off for the summer now (hence the time for this very late letter) and am so looking forward to the extra time with you and your brother. We plan to go to the park in the morning and then have a nap. Happy year and a bit little girl... and here's to lots more together.

Mama.

Dear Lucia: 10 months

Dear Lucia:

You are 10 months now. I looked back to see when my last letter was and it was 4 months ago. We've been busy around here, traveling and renovating the kitchen. But, things are slowing down a little and we are getting ready to enjoy this early spring. We are going to have lots of fun this summer because you are starting to move around. After sitting up and watching the world intently for a while you have decided to start moving around. It's still slow, cautious and studied (I suspect this is going to be a theme in your life) but you are beginning to bum scootch/crawl to things to check them out. You can stand up, supported by something, but tend towards dramatic falls and so we have to keep a close eye out. I do this too, and I'm still here so I think you will survive. The other day at church you were sitting on the floor while your brother ran circles around you. You: content to watch, him: always on the move. Don't worry - he is always going to be faster than you but I suspect you are going to be bigger shortly. This will even things out.

You have started to use some little words. You say "papapapapap" and "di..di..di..di" to call your father and brother. You have also started to try some signs. We think we have seen the sign for 'change' and 'all done' and maybe 'food'. You have definitely figured out that this will work and are just working out the kinks between brain and hand/eye coordination.

Everyday interactions with you become more complex, you are passing toys and looking for 'lost' things. You are calling out to people to get their attention and responding to cues. We are playing 'ojitos' and clapping. You are also sharing a room with our brother now. You are still getting up 2 or 3 times in the night but your father and I are sleeping more soundly and Diego loves the company. Last night he went to sleep before you and complained that he was "lost" because you were not in bed yet... this may have just been a tactic to put off bed time but it is also a sign of how much he loves to share with you. Remember that when you are older and you both start to fight.

You have four teeth now and more on the way. This has been disrupting everyone's sleep even more lately but we're surviving. We'll be glad when they come through. That's why this month's pictures all seem to have drippy noses. You always get a drippy nose when your gums are bothering you.

You are beautiful and intense and serious with the power to transform the room with a huge smile when you want to. Your father is smitten and I like you pretty well too little lady. Keep growing and exploring.

Your mama.

Dear Lucia - Six Months

Dear Lucia;

You are six months old now. Today we went to the doctors to get your shots and you were such a trooper. You smiled and co-operated with everyone and when it was time to stick you with the immunizations you whimpered a little - then looked in the mirror and got happily distracted. Keep being that strong, it will serve you well in the future. Speaking of strong, you have the most intense stare now with new people. It's a little intimidating actually. You reserve judgement (I like that too) but when you have decided to like someone you have the most wonderful smile.

Your father can always get you to giggle and you have begun noticing your brother Diego as well. He loves you a lot little one! I hope you will be very good friends.

In physical milestones - you are sitting up pretty well. We sit near you in case you topple over but you are balancing for longer and longer chunks every day. You have also started eating solid foods. Your favorite so far has been pureed carrot but you are also chowing down on the banana, mixed veggies and even a bit of beef.

Yesterday afternoon you were fussy and so was your brother so we cuddled up on the couch and watched a movie. You slept in my arms for an hour and a half. You have been so independent (by nature and necessity)  we don't get the chance to do that very often. It occurred to me that you won't be a baby for very much longer. Pretty soon this house is going to be rocking out to the sounds of two little kids. I am so looking forward to finding out who you are and sharing the rest of you life. Thanks again Lucia - I'm glad you picked us.

Lucia - Four Months

Dear Lucia;

You are four months old today. I almost missed it, but here I am cruising the internet when I look at the date and realize I have something much more important to do... wish you a happy birth-month.

This week you achieved one of your first big milestones and rolled over from your back to front. You did it twice on Wednesday and haven't done it since, once mastered a skill move on? You are working on sitting up now and can sit pretty well, holding on to someones hands for support. It won't be long till you'll be sitting independently. This week you had what we thought was a little cold but I now think that maybe it's your teeth coming through - there are some suspicious little white spots on your bottom gums.. time will tell. You are smiling and laughing and being very patient with us as we get back into the swing of our lives - with two. We have also gotten out the jolly jumper which you are learning how to work - I think you're going to like it more than your brother.

Today we went to the fall fair with Grandma, a great way to celebrate your birth-month day - although I don't know that you enjoyed it very much. Your brother did! So far you are very patient with him as he jumps around (and sometimes on) you, screams in your face, touches your head and is generally a nuisance. He loves you so much and I think you know it - that's why you put up with his silliness. I believe you are going to be fast friends, despite being such different little people.

We booked a Christmas vacation this weekend and by the time we go you will be sitting up and eating real food. You are going to be a good eater, like your brother, I think. When we are eating you have started leaning in and reaching for food, you make the most wonderful little "hmmmmm" - which could only be - "let me try, come on, give it!"

Happy four months little lady - you are already showing up beautiful and strong - and there I hear you waking up so I'm off....

Love Mama.

The not so terrible twos...

Dear Lucia;

You are two months old now... almost three but who's counting. You continue to be a very content little person. You have the most wonderful open mouthed smiles and are starting to share a fantastic little screech of excitement, particularly with your papa. You are desperate to be sitting up and moving around and are often found in your bouncy chair trying to sit up, quietly grunting and tilting your head. Take your time little girl, it will come. 

You sleep in the afternoon which is a wonderful gift to me. You are growing at an amazing rate - having almost doubled your original birth weight. I think this is pretty normal but I still think it is amazing.

Your brother Diego loves to watch you play and smile. When you wake up from your nap he goes running up the stairs "Lucia, ya voy! Lucia, no llores!". When I suggest that we wake you up for dinner he is the first up the stairs. I have loved this 'little two' of yours, we have had such a good summer hanging out together.

Dear Diego;

You are now two and a half and the 'terrible twos' have not been so terrible at all. You went through a two week faze but you learned fast that the tantrums were a waste of time and since then we have barely seen the monster Diego. Keep up that learning curve little man, it will save you a lot of time and wasted energy in your life.

At two and a half you are talking up a storm. You have been speaking a lot of English "Come downstairs mom and eat your lunch." We have been encouraging you to speak in Spanish and often when I ask you to repeat something you will remind me that "Diego habla espanole y ingles, los dos." It is so much fun to watch you settle into bilingualism and your papa noticed the other day that your pronunciation in English is already better than his. Once day your Spanish will be better than mine. Will you learn more languages?

Along with your new words you have a great new understanding and awareness of the world around you. We have to be really careful what we talk about now in front of you because nothing escapes! We have been hanging out together all summer, with the daycare closed, and have been spending a lot of time in parks in the mornings. It is great watching you with other kids. You're fast little man! I've seen you keep up with the five and six year olds. You are almost more coordinated than your mama already. Papa says it is a good thing he had his knees operated or he wouldn't be able to keep up with your either. You are climbing like a monkey, Uncle Isaac is really excited about taking you climbing. Don't let him throw you over any cliffs till you're ready.

You are great at making friends. You use your sand shovels and bribes, running across playgrounds to hand them to other children with a "come on, dig, shovel, dig here" your lure them into your circle. 

In just three weeks you will be going into the pre-school room at the daycare two days a week. This summer we have really seen you become a 'pre-schooler' - you are 'reading' books, drawing happy faces, coloring in the lines, playing make believe with other kids and, most exciting of all, this week you have even started sitting on the potty!

To both of you - thanks - it has been so much fun sharing the not so terrible twos.

Mama
(Diego picked out this outfit himself.. "Diego is a big boy, nino grande!)