Audrey - 14 months

Audrey,

I'm 2 days late writing your letter this month, but I guess that's better than last month! At some point this last month, you turned into a little girl instead of my baby. Mommy moved all the pictures of you on her phone, from an hour after you were born up until now, to her computer. I sat there crying because I can't believe how much you've grown and how quickly the time seems to have gone! But no matter how big you get, you'll always be my baby girl!

You finished nursing this month and have been completely weaned for over 2 weeks! We weaned very slowly over the last few months and you did so well. You love your whole milk and don't even seem to notice that we've stopped most days. Sometimes, if Momma is wearing a lower cut shirt, you'll come over and pull on my shirt. But for the most part, you are as happy as a clam and too busy to notice!

All four of your first molars decided to come in at once this month! They have all finally broken through the gums, and though they still seem to bother you, you are doing much better.

You came down with your first cold this month and are just starting to feel better today. We did a whole lot of cuddling for almost 2 weeks, but that's okay. Mommy hates to see you so miserable and loves to cuddle you. Unfortunately, you shared your cold with Mommy and Daddy, and we're only about halfway through it, so hopefully we're all healthy and feeling better soon!

Your Uncle Ryan got orders for his second deployment right before Christmas, so your Auntie and cousin Blake moved back to Massachusetts this month. They'll be here for the 7 months that Uncle Ryan is gone, and even though we're sad for the reason they're here, you are already having so much fun with your Auntie and cousin. Just before they got here, Mommy worked with you to try and get you to say "Auntie." You ended up saying "Ti Ti" and it just stuck! She is now your "Ti Ti."

You are babbling more and more too. You are constantly trying to repeat things we say to you. Usually, you just come out with the sound of the first letter, but Mommy is still impressed. I don't really know how you compare to other kids your age, but I think you are so smart! And you continue to love your books which makes Mommy so happy!

You are great at pointing things out if we ask you where something is, whether it is a toy, book, person or body part. But if you don't know where something or someone is, you turn your palms up in the air and shrug. It's SO incredibly cute! You also try to hold your phone with your ear and your shoulder and it cracks Momma up every time!

You love to play with other kids, and you do surprisingly well for an only child. You are a little rough with your baby cousin, Blake, but in a month or two he'll be able to hold his own and I think he'll put you in your place!

You're starting to test your boundaries with us, and it takes everything Mommy has to try not to laugh at you. When you're doing something you're not supposed to, we tell you "ta ta." Well, now when you are going to do something you know you shouldn't, you get a big grin, wag your finger and say "aaaaaa ta!" You even do it when Mommy or Daddy are doing something you don't want us to. We try so hard not to smile, but you are just the cutest thing even when you're being naughty!

Speaking of testing your boundaries, you love to climb! You can climb up on the couch and chair all by yourself. You climb up on the first stair of the stairs and hang on the gate. You climb all over Mommy. You try to climb into the tubby. You'll climb just about anywhere if we're not looking!

Your smile lights up a room and your giggle fills the house with such joy! You are lovable, sweet, stubborn, and more and more independent every day. I love you to the moon and back sweet girl!

Love Always,
Mommy