Kate

It happened this month, that thing that I feared. No, you didn’t fall out of bed or try to eat your own poop. People started calling you Katie. Now listen, it’s not that I’m opposed to the name and if someday you want to go by it I will happily oblige, it’s just…not the name I envisioned for you I guess. It’s like when people call your brother Bean, just not really my thing. I guess it’s just a silly quark of mine, you’ll learn soon enough that I have a lot of them.

This month went by way to quickly, in a snap of my fingers you’re going to be a year old. As much as I struggled with the newborn phase I’m a little sad that your baby-ness is fading. It’s entirely possible that your dad and I won’t have anymore babies so I’m trying to enjoy every moment, even the frustratingly tired ones. I really wish your dad was able to be here more, it’s such a riot how different you are from your brother at this age. If he was our preparation for you then we all failed miserably.

I’m starting to see signs of sibling rivalry but honestly it’s still pretty cute. You would follow your brother anywhere he went if you could. I considered getting you a baby doll and all the accessories for your birthday but honestly I think you’d prefer a few cars and a tractor of your own. Chase is pretty territorial with his so you live for the rare moments when you get your hands on them. Twice in the past week you’ve received a bloody lip at the hands of Chase but I promise it isn’t intentional. He just wants to wrestle with you the way your dad and I wrestle with him and his headbutts are just how he gives kisses. We didn’t teach him that skill very well, we’re working on it. I’ve seriously considered getting a side-by-side double stroller based solely on how cute it is that you two hold hands in the car.

You’re still testing all your boundaries and my patience as well. I’m really quite surprised that you aren’t walking yet but you’re getting closer every day. A couple of weeks ago you discovered the stairs and with just a few tries you had it completely figured out and you can now climb a whole flight of stairs all by yourself. Just last night I was giving your brother and you a bath and while I was rinsing his hair you stood up and tried to climb out of the tub. Today I was doing dishes and when I looked around the corner I found the baby jail empty, you were just gone. I had a moment of panic before I heard you in your brother’s room playing with him. Later this afternoon I witnessed your brother move the gate, walk into your area, get your attention and say “c’mon…c’mon” very quietly as he led you out. I secretly hope that you two will always be co-conspirators like that.

Every day with you is such a trip my little girl. You still eat like a horse, your favorite is probably pancakes but you also love fruit cocktail. We’ve tried juice and regular milk and just like everything else you took right to it. I think you’re almost ready to kick this formula nonsense, now if we could just get you to figure out the sippy cup. When you aren’t trying to wrestle cars away from your brother you love to look at picture books and anything you can chew on is a fine toy indeed. Your great aunt Sally made you a blanket and it’s quickly becoming a nap time essential, you love being tucked in with your blanket, bink and night light. Every so often you let me cuddle you in the chair at night but I’m really ready for you to be big enough to crawl in bed with your brother and me.

You’re becoming quite the little person with every passing day. You’re headstrong and have little patience. You smile with your whole face and you aren’t afraid to let your anger show. Every time you fall you get right back up. Your eyes hold a thousand secrets about the person you’re becoming. I love you to the moon and back my Kate, even if you are already giving me the looks of a disgusted teenager.

Until next month baby girl.

Love,
mama