AJ at 18 Months

Oh, Andrew James.  Before you were born, my mother told me there soon would be a time when I would not remember what our family was like without you.  So true!  You have stolen my heart and made our family complete.  You challenge me and bring me joy in ways entirely different from your sister, and I love you to bits!  You are such an interesting mix.  On the one hand, you are all boy.  You are an incredibly motor driven child.  You walked by 10 months and now are walking backwards, running, and climbing up and down stairs.  You tackle huge playground equipment like it's no big deal.  You explore literally everything around our house.  Drawers and cabinets that your sister never even noticed?  You've opened them a million times.  Toilet paper?  You've unrolled it.  Dog food?  You've sampled it.  On the other hand, you are such a little love bug and giant sack of sugar.  You still cry every time that our nanny Stacie walks in the door.  You adore her but know that her presence means Mommy is going to leave for a while.  You love nothing more than a soothing bedtime routine...a long hot bath, warm jammies, a bedtime story, and snuggles.  Holding you and having you rest your tired head on my shoulder is one of my very favorite things in this world.  I think the fact that you had a rough start (colic, reflux, ear infections, oh my!) bonded us in inexplicable ways.  It is so wonderful to see you happy now and exploring all the world has to offer!  Your developing relationship with your sister is also one of my greatest joys.  Certainly, there are times when she is less than excited about your growing mobility.  She is used to being queen of the castle.  But there are many more times when she is sharing, leading you along, and showing you the ropes.  In those moments, I just stop, sit back, and smile.  Your daddy and I could not be more blessed!        

 

"I wanted you more than you ever will know, so I sent love to follow wherever you go...You are my angel, my darling, my star.  And my love will find you, wherever you are."