14 Months

Dear R,

Your fourteenth month has been full of increased gentleness, especially with the cats and any other animal you come across, but also with soft blankets, pillows, and stuffed creatures of any kind. Come to think of it, you also tenderly caress grass and plants, and Grammie's taught you to be particularly gentle with her necklaces. It melts my heart, no matter how many times I see you do it, to see you pick up a stuffed animal and hug it close, usually by putting it on your shoulder and burying your head into it.

We had a busy month, with our move to Delaware as well as a long weekend trip to see Grammie and Grampie. You handled all of the upheaval amazingly well, and continue to be a good sleeper and eater despite all the changes that have happened.You've learned to say "baby"--it was one of the first signs you've done where you consistently say the word whenever you do the sign. I'm eager to teach you to use the sign when playing with or cuddling your small (but probably soon-to-be-growing) collection of dolls.

You learned to say and sign "truck" on the way home from our trip to Connecticut because you noticed all the trucks passing the car out your window. You pick up signs ever more quickly, and you use a greater variety of them in your daily interactions. At Grammie and Grampie's, Grampie taught you how to climb down stairs, and then you started asking him to let you through the gate so you could practice. You are so excited to learn new things, and we're having an amazing time teaching them to you.

Much love now and always,
Mama