My sweet boy, tomorrow (Nov 22) you will be eighteen months old. A year and a half. Time to stop counting months I suppose. You look more and more like a little boy rather than the baby we brought home. We've had to buy bigger clothes and shoes in the last few weeks. 18 month pants are too big, but 12 months are getting a little short in some styles. Thus, you are wearing some 12 month cargo pants that are a little big in the waist but at least are not high waters.
We've had some interesting things happen. Your second ride in the ambulance came with your fourth fever related seizure in the middle of the night. This was not so different from the others you have had but better safe than sorry. We are very thankful for the EMTs from the Cave Spring Rescue Squad. When you arrived at the hospital you were sitting up on the stretcher waving and giving high fives to the staff. What a relief!
Following that night of fun we spent about a week staying with Grams and Papa Bass because our home had a gas leak and needed some repairs. Without the gas working we didn't have heat or hot water. It was tough on your routine but you had great fun eating lots of yummy meals, adventuring with Grams, and playing in the neighborhood. We spent Halloween there and you were a delightful Charlie Brown! Your Auntie Whit & Laura came up to see you earlier that day and then we handed out candy to the neighborhood kids that evening. You enjoyed running to the door each time the bell rang and dropping treats into children's candy buckets. The whole week was a vivid reminder to me of the many ways we are blessed and to be thankful for all that we have, especially you.
It has taken a few weeks to get back into the swing of things for you, particularly going back to school after you were sick. You have reached the stage where you are much more clingy to us and cry when we leave you. It has been hard to see you do that each day because you seem to enjoy school so much. You had a great first report from our parent-teacher conference! Since then you have begun to "tackle", "headbutt" and "climb over other children." I believe this is typical boy stuff. Your Daddy fears this is because of the ways he plays with you. But, I believe you do these things not in an aggressive way but to show affection, just as you do at home! At any rate, we have to work on what is appropriate behavior at home and at school. In the last week or two you have begun to say and sign "more", "please" and "thank you." Good job, Bear, we are so proud of you!
You also know lots of animal sounds. You can tell us what cows, dogs, lions, kitties, pigs, horses, and ducks say. In addition, my personal favorite is "What does a wolf say?" You response is a perfect, "OOOOooo!" Pretty sure you have some permanent bruises on your forehead. You always seem to knock your noggin in the same place! It must be difficult to carry around that big head and brilliant mind. You are a fast little booger, but also a clumsy one. You love to climb on everything and are getting tall enough to reach things we'd rather you not touch.
Last night and today you have stayed with Beba and Papa. I know at this very moment you are running around their house getting into trouble because you can open doors now! This was a great time for you to spend the night with them because it has been a sad week for us. My Grandma Becky, your Great-grandma passed away yesterday. She lived a long and full life. You only got to meet her once but I am so glad that you did. I wish that she had been more alert and aware of her surroundings but she was certainly smitten with you and thought you were so handsome, and such a good eater! As great-grandchildren, you and Taylen won her heart with your healthy eating habits! I hope I will be able to tell you lots of great stories about her when you are older but the most important thing you should know is that she was a very strong woman. She was a breast cancer survivor from when I was a young girl. She was an amazing nurturer, she loved caring for her family, especially via her wonderful cooking. She always liked having us over to her house for Thanksgiving. She made the best turkey gravy and dressing you have ever tasted in your life. She also made amazing chocolate cakes and coconut cakes. She liked to garden, quilt, and sing in her church choir. She was almost as big a fan of peaches as you are. We will all miss her.
Thank you son, for your sweet giggles that bring joy to all you meet. Thank you for being the social person that you are, for running and playing and giving high fives to friends and family and church folk. Thank you for running to us and giving us hugs, and bringing us books to read to you. Thank you for sharing your snacks with us. For jumping and dancing and keeping us on our toes.
We love you,
Mom
