Twenty-One Months

I just got used to saying you were just about 21-months old, and now look. I have to say you are 21-months old. And then I try not to cry when I think about how two-years-old is hot on our heels. This month, we've had a hard time convincing people just how hockey crazy you are. You seem normal and somewhat mild mannered. But when dinnertime is over, you know the next thing on the agenda is to head downstairs and play hockey with dad. At the very moment that word crosses our lips, you go into hysterics, running from the table screaming, "Hockey, hockey, hoooocckkeeeyy." And then will often follow with a list of the words you associate with hockey, "Puck, puck, puck. Scooooore. Gooooal." I often hear you in your crib in the morning preparing yourself for the day by repeating, "Hockey. Scoooore."


Your other favorite "passing the time in my crib in the morning until mom drinks half a cup of tea and feels capable of coping with a rambunctious 21-month old" past-time is trying to master songs. Dad has worked really hard with you on Twinkle Twinkle. Regardless, your rendition is usually closer to "Twinkle twinkle...star...wonder...are." Short, sweet, and to the point. Just what your momma likes in an orator. The best part of your morning gabber fest comes when you start to mash together all the words you know. "Mommy, daddy, scoooore, star, Theo, light, hockey, hockey, hockey, digger, beep beep, mommy, gooooal, daddy, daddy, daddy." And then somewhere in the middle of it all you sneeze, laugh to yourself, and my heart melts another little bit.


One of our newest challenges has been trying to explain to you that you are going to be a big brother next year. Whenever I try telling you momma has a baby in her belly, you look at me like I am a) crazy and b) completely unaware of what I am saying to you. Sometimes, you lift up my shirt and poke my belly button. Sometimes you gaze back into my eyes and say baby and it makes me want to cry. Like all moms, it is sometimes tough to imagine having another in our family we could love just as much as you. Those little feelings of guilt find their way in sometimes as I realize you won't get to be the center of the family universe for a whole lot longer. But, I also see how fondly you gaze a little babies and love to see them wiggle and move. You have so much love in your heart, little one, that I can't wait for you to share it with your brother or sister. You will be an amazing big brother, and who better to teach the next one in our family about the wonders of diggers, hockey and stickers.



Love,
Your Momma