Dear Abbie

Dear Abbie,

Five weeks from now, you will turn 2 years old.  I knew this was coming, but still feel completely unprepared.  Two years old??  How did this happen??  Wasn't it just yesterday that I was feeling your kicks in my belly and worrying about how in the world I was going to be a good mom?   And a year ago, I was fretting about your tiny illnesses and how I was going to convince you to sleep, or even just BE, without me.  But, here we are.  Another year has (almost) passed, and you are growing into an amazing little girl.

You have accomplished so many things this year, too many to count.  But, since I'm your mom, it's in my nature to lay out the biggies, in case we all forget one day!

• You transitioned from a crib to a mattress on the floor, to a big-girl bed.  Whereas you used to hate being left in your crib, you now love your bed so much that some days you don't even want to get up!
• You learned to walk!  While many kids figure this out right around their first birthday, you took your sweet time and were finally toddling by 15 months. 
• You have developed a huge vocabulary.  I recall counting your words as you began talking last summer, but now you are so verbal that it would be impossible to count.  Your favorite phrase is "I love you", and it melts my heart.
• You can climb a ladder, do somersaults, roly poly, squats, walk on a balance beam, and even sometimes hang from a bar.  Much of this is thanks to your classes at The Little Gym, but some is just because your parents are a little obsessed with getting you active.
• You read and recite books like nobody's business.  You love most titles by Sandra Boynton and Eric Carle, but have recently moved on to much more wordy books like "The Velveteen Rabbit", "The Polar Express", and your new favorite, "Pinkalicious".
• Speaking of "Pinkalicious", you have developed a love of pink.  You still love purple, like your mommy, but whenever I give you color options that include pink, that's invariably the one you choose.  I don't really get it.  Is this genetic??  I know I didn't teach it to you!!
• You are learning to spell.  In your current repertoire are: Abigail, Mom, Mommy, Dad, Nana, PopPop, Oscar Mayer Bologna (thanks to the song), and Egg.  We are still working on Grandma, Grandpa, and the difference between Abbie and Abigail.
• You use "please" and "thank you" like a champ. 
• You are finally getting the hang of using your fork, mostly thanks to your grandma's tireless efforts.  Although, you still confuse me when you scarf your fruit down with your hands, then insist on eating your bagel or toast with a fork.  Maybe one day you can explain this to me.
• You are completely obsessed with music.  You could sit for hours listening to "Abbie's Music" if I let you.
• You don't mind being away from me so much anymore.  You are learning to trust others, making friends, and gaining independence.

I am so proud of the little girl you are today and look forward to watching you continue to grow.  Although you are growing up fast, and no longer considered an infant, you will always be my baby girl.  I love you more every day.