A Little Mischief: A New Year

Dear Quinn,
While I try to resolve the technical issues that have been keeping me from posting the Christmas photos, I will fill this space with words. Although our new year has been off to a slow start, I have a feeling that it's going to be a great one. We are all starting to feel healthy again and we are very relieved that you got through your first fever since the hospitalization without having a seizure. Even though it seems like only a couple of weeks have gone by since that incident, we are coming up on five months. The dawn of a new year is a good time to make a concious effort to put it behind us.

I am trying to leave the worry and bad memories behind while still holding onto the perspective it gave us. Seeing things through the lens of what happened has made me more appreciative, and it has made every day of normal life with you seem more special.

Every time your Daddy and I have a disagreement, I remember how he responded on that day and the weeks afterwards. Every time I become overwhelmed at the prospect of raising you, I remember all the people around us who love you, especially your grandparents and aunts and uncles - and I know that they are going to be a positive influence on you. It takes a village to raise a child, and you have the best and biggest village around.

There are exciting things on the horizon for our family in the new year. We are hoping to get ourselves into a real home - and (hopefully) start planning our wedding.

Now that you are 14 months old, you communicate more than ever. You are able to understand simple instructions and you delight in your everyday activities of eating, bathing, playing and going to school. You now clean up your toys (with some help and encouragement) and also put your dirty clothes into the hamper (and sometimes take them back out again).

Your favorite toys are still your books. You are always handing me one and then happily climbing into my lap. I make it a rule to always stop what I am doing to read you a book - plus it's the only time you ever sit quietly and let someone hold you. We ask you questions about your books - "Where is the bird? Where is the banana?" and you point to the correct one and repeat the words. You are so smart! Some of your favorite books at the moment include Barnyard Dance, Goodnight Philadelphia, The Going to Bed Book, Ollie, Peekaboo Sophie and anything about colors. You love colors, animals and music. You love to sing and dance and tell jokes that nobody but you understands. You are very happy and silly!

Things at school are going very well. You have been interacting with your peers a lot more lately. The other day I watched you pick up a ball and offer it to one of your friends. You have begun your transition into your new room -"Young Toddlers." You will now be in a larger group of kids and will take your nap on a low cot instead of a crib. I know that you are going to do great!

More pictures soon, I promise! I love you, Quinn!