14 Months

Life has a way of taking its own twists and turns. I am a planner. I like to have a vision of what we are doing, where we are going and what to expect. I spend alot of time envisioning the future and working toward that vision.

Since your conception, I have been making decisions for you. What to eat, how much to sleep, what to wear, what playgroup to join, swim classes to take, parties to attend. I am constantly making decisions for you. I can (somewhat) control the situation and outcome.
Or should I say, I used to...

You are 14 months today and your personality is bigger than ever. And decisions. YOU need to make the decisions, what to drink, what to eat, what to wear, where to go, participate, not participate. I am loosing control... and it is somewhat scary but more exciting.
Yesterday, I dropped you off at Ms. Patti's and you ran over to sit with the group and waved goodbye from the floor across the room, I waved back. Then you puckered up and blew me a kiss. As if to say, "Bye mom! Love you!"

You love the letter "a" (lowercase is much more interesting than uppercase). You can pick out the letter "a" from a group of letters. You seem to like words with the letter "a" in them, especially the word happy. Maybe it's the double p? Or that frisky y on the end? Maybe you just recognize the "a" but whatever the allure, you picked happy off the word wall during nursery and amazed everyone. Coincidence, I say, she doesn't know the word happy. Then you do it again. I ask Ms. Patti about your knowledge. "Oh yes, Nora loves the word happy."

You now lick water out of the dog bowls, just like Brandy and Stan. You discovered what fun a water fountain is and whenever you see one, you immediately make a beeline for it and demand a drink. We both end up with water all over our shirts, a permanent grin pasted on your face.

You communicate your wants and needs better than ever. You use words, like juice or cookie to let us know that you want to eat / drink. You are very good at gesturing for up and out. When getting dressed, you lift your leg up (one at a time) to put on your pants. You stand there one leg up in the air waiting for the pant leg. Then you lift up the other leg to put on the second pant leg. I pause and think, do all 14 month olds do this? Where did you learn how to put on pants? I didn't teach you... You also put your shoes on.

You are only 14 months, but you are so independent. Independent in play, independent in decisions, independent in eating... sometimes I miss being that hovering mommy, knowing that you need me for everything. I am glad this process will be somewhat slow. I am not ready for this independence, but you seem to be.

We went to Becca's varsity sport banquet, all the proud moms and dads, watching their babies receive awards. One day you will be in high school and I will be on of those moms who can only look on proudly at who you've become. The only decisions I will control are my own words and actions, setting the example for yours.

14 months... going on 14 years.