Dear Lucy - 18 months

Dear Lucy,

Today you are 1 ½ years old.  You are quite simply the most perfect little girl that we could have ever hoped for.  You make us smile every day.

You are a very sweet, helpful child who always wants to be where the action is.  If your Mama or I are going anywhere, like downstairs, to the laundry room, or even to the bathroom, you are always determined to tag along.  You like to help us, whether it is helping put your toys away, or giving commands to Reggie like “[s]tay” and “[s]it.”

You also love to play.  You love going outside, which we haven’t done as much lately since it is getting cold.  You are going to be in for a rough winter!  Your favorite game is playing hide and seek/chase.  Reggie likes to help play that game too, but he usually just gives away my hiding places.  Your Mama cut out a few holes in a large box that we refer to as “Lucy’s house.”  You think it is so much fun to run into your house and look out the window.  You also love to build with blocks and read books.

Your vocabulary is really growing too.  You know all the animal sounds and all the parts of a face.  You’ve even started to recognize letters, which you call “A B s” (like ABCs without the C).  You are just getting so good at being able to communicate and tell us what you want.  You are getting so smart!  (Maybe too smart… you like to throw away your finished popsicle stick in the trash can, but you make sure I’m getting you a second popsicle before you’ll throw away the first popsicle stick.)  You are very lucky that you get to spend 2 days a week with Nana and Papa and 2 days a week at a very good daycare.  You get to do so much fun stuff and learn so many new things every week.

I’ve been so lucky that I have been able to have Fridays off of work for the last several months.  We get to have a special Lucy and Daddy day every week (sometimes Mama gets the day off or leaves work early and we let her join us!)  We like to go out to breakfast, go on lots of walks in your car, go to the library, and go to the zoo.  I am so happy that I’ve been able to spend this extra time with you.  On days when I work, the highlight of my day is when I walk up the stairs at home in the evening and you are waiting for me on the other side of the gate.  You are always so excited to see me!  Thank you for making me feel very loved.

Even though I’ve tried, I really can’t put into words just how much your Mama and I love you.  Thank you for being my amazing daughter.

Love always,

Your Dad