Months 16 and 17

Sweet S,

This is the first of your monthly letters that I have combined months. We have had such a busy two months I’m just writing one to get all caught up. March 16 marked 17 months of your life with us. So many things have already happened in our family in 2015 – we know it is going to be a year full of wonderful things.

You’re still a great eater and are moving so fast these days. You’re always on the run! We eat at Waffle House every Saturday morning that we are home. Sometimes it is the four of us and sometimes MaeMae comes. We've started having to order you your own egg and waffle!

You are developing such a personality. You have very strong ideas about many things and let that be known in not-so-great ways sometimes – but we’re all learning together. You’re learning that hitting and yelling doesn’t really get you far in the world and we’re learning how to best be your parents.

You’re also talking A LOT more. You’re putting words together in longer and longer sentences. My favorite sentence right now is “What doing?” or “Where going?” Most of the time we understand what you’re saying but sometimes you have so much to say so fast we have no idea what you’re saying. Soon we know we will understand.

In January we participated in the MLK Unity Procession with others from my work. You enjoyed the parade, watching the dancers, and seeing all the people!

We also went to see Bubbie’s parents for the weekend. You always have a good time with MawMaw and Poppy (and you got to play a close game of checkers with J).

I had to work one Saturday in February and was able to take J with me. That meant you and Bubbie spent the WHOLE DAY together – just the two of you. You did all kinds of fun things and really enjoyed the extra attention. You even got cookies at the mall!

We celebrated another Valentine’s Day with you. You got cards in the mail from MawMaw and Poppy and MaeMae and Steeeve. You sure are a lucky girl to have those four who love you very much.

Not long after Valentine’s Day we met friends and family in North Carolina and your Bubbie and I got married. It was a wonderful time with wonderful people that we will never ever forget. We are so glad you were there with us. During the service you stood with us for most of the time and that was ok. There were parts when you wanted to be held too and that was ok. You were upset Uncle Jar couldn’t hold you because he was playing the guitar but you did spend some time with Sig and that was fun. We hope to have some more pictures soon from that part of the weekend. 

One of the funniest things from that weekend was your planned attack on the donuts. You waited until someone put them in your reach and went for it! The box dumped on your head - or several boxes did but you were not deterred!

You came home and stayed with Aunt Missy for several days while Bubbie and I enjoyed some time alone in North Carolina. We missed you and J but knew you were in good hands and having a blast here without us.

In March we all had fun at the Walk/5k that is a fundraiser for my work. You loved seeing the dogs and running around! I am glad my family was able to be there. Here you are with someone you just walked up to and started talking to. You never meet a stranger.

Last weekend we went to celebrate Sarah and Kristen’s wedding. LeAnn and I preformed the wedding which meant we got to be there early and have lots of fun. You were a wonderful flower girl! You and Parker and Patrick held hands and walked, er, ran down the aisle. It was adorable. I am glad you were able to see another couple promise to love each other for ever. Sarah and Kristen are important to us and it was so special that you were a part of their day.

You also REALLY loved dancing. They happened to get married on your birthday so I think you treated the reception like it was your birthday party! You ate and danced and ate and danced and had such a good time. You enjoyed dancing with Parker and Patrick, Aunt Mia, and strangers!

Since the weather has been nice we've been spending more time outside. We had a spur of the moment picnic with MaeMae and Steve at the park last week. You had a blast!

We celebrated your birthday this past weekend with friends and family at one of your favorite places – the Mexican restaurant! It was good to have so many friends and family gathered to celebrate you. Next year we promise to have a more planned and “pin-trest-y” party but you had a blast at this one!

We also took some really great pictures outside this weekend of you and J. I know we’re biased – but we think you’re pretty dang cute. And love how so much of your personality is captured in photos.

We met with the caseworker this month and she plans to go see some folks to get some things signed soon so we can move forward with adopting you. You’re already ours in our hearts but it sure will be nice to have it officially on paper.

We love you Sweet S and hope you know it!

Love,

Mama