14 Months

Dear Tree Faerie,

I apologize for not writing you a letter last month. Since you started walking, I’ve had to spend a lot more time keeping you out of things. Now you’re practically a pro!

In January, you got to go to Grams and Papaw’s house for the first time, and you had a great time! You slept the whole way down there in your new car seat. You played with all the dog toys, and Grams got to feed you in the make-shift high chair. We were there for Grams’ 50th birthday, so we took her out to eat crab legs per her request. You didn’t want to eat much of anything, but you enjoyed making a mess with crackers and Jell-O. Grams and Papaw also finished your Rocking Harley, which you now request to ride.

Before going to Grams and Papaw’s, you caught RSV again, although this time we didn’t have to rush off to the hospital. Instead you spent several nights sleeping upright in your old infant car seat. The congestion continued to hang around for a while, and just as it was clearing up you developed an ear infection that would not go away. We went through two rounds of antibiotics, and not only did the antibiotics not work, but your other ear got infected in the mean time! Your doctor referred us to an ENT doctor who was really nice and gave you tubes for your 14 month birthday. I was so nervous, partially because it would be your first time under general anesthesia and partially because I couldn’t nurse you after midnight the night before. Just like clockwork, you woke up at 2AM to nurse and could not understand why I wasn’t giving it to you. Your daddy got up and took us for a ride to get you to go to sleep, which worked like a charm. The morning of the surgery, I had to keep you distracted from the idea of nursing until after the surgery.

The surgery went fine. You were only away from me for 15 minutes total. When they brought me back to you in recovery, you were very, very, very unhappy. Once you realized you could nurse, you were a little happier but not much. As soon as we got you home, I put you down for a nap, and once you slept off the effects of the anesthesia, you were actually happy! Since the surgery, your balance has improved greatly so you don’t fall down nearly so much. You’ve also started mimicking words more often. The ENT doctor told us that your speech would improve after the tubes were in because you’d be able to hear better, but I really wasn’t expecting much. After all, you’re only 14 months old!

Speaking of talking, I’m going to have to teach you more signs, which means I have to learn more signs. You know “done,” “more,” “bye-bye,” and “nurse.” When you get frustrated trying to convey something, you go through all the signs you know over and over again. I can definitely understand that you want and need an effective way to communicate.

Of course, just because you can communicate your wants does not necessarily mean you’re going to get whatever it is you’re asking for. Another thing you’re working on mastering is the art of fit-throwing. When you throw a tantrum, I make sure you’re not going to hurt yourself, and then I walk away and let you scream. I’m sorry that one of the life-lessons you must learn is that you can’t have everything you want, but the sooner you learn it, the happier we will all be.

Sometimes it is a very good thing you are so darn cute, because otherwise we might actually consider returning you. You and I have had a few battles, sometimes involving hair-pulling, but I know that this is simply your way of learning how the world works. You constantly test your boundaries and our limits.

You finally cut your third tooth, although it was not either of the upper front teeth. You cut the tooth just to the right of the upper front teeth. You are working on teeth #4, 5, and 6, and you are not happy about it. I keep hoping they will go ahead and break through, but alas, they are being stubborn. People have offered all kinds of suggestions to help you out, from giving you chicken bones to gnaw on to hanging an egg in a sock over the bedroom door. I haven’t tried either of these. I have given you metal spoons, teething rings, and pieces of ice in either a washcloth or a mesh chew-thing to chew on.

Thank you for making me a better person. I am very proud to be your mother. Everyone loves you, and you know it. You even amp up the cuteness when you think it may help you get your way. You’ve given us so many hugs, kisses, and snuggles. I wouldn’t miss any of them for the world. I love you, Tree Faerie. As always, I look forward to what the coming weeks will bring.

Hugs and Kisses,

=|= Mama