Your first BFF

Since your earliest days, you have been around babies the same age as you. First, you got to know Devin, Aanika, Amelia and Mercedes. We saw them every other week for you entire first year of life. Sadly, after their mommies and I went back to work, it got harder to get you all together, so you don't know each other as much as I'd hope you would. 

In the last few weeks, we have spent quite a bit of time with Penelope, who is almost 5, and Isabella, who is the same age as you. The more time we spend with them, the more you love playing with them. Especially Penn. She gives you a run for your money.

But, by far your most consistent little buddy is Naomi McKean. She is just six months younger than you and you have known her since you were just a wee baby yourself. You play so nicely together and really do appear to have a love for each other. It's so fun for your dad and I, and Naomi's mommy and daddy, to watch you two play and grow together. 

 

From the first time you met, you were drawn to her. She's like you in a lot of ways. She loves to dance around and be silly, and is also really active. Not many kids your age can keep up. But you two run each other ragged.

I have some friends I have known since I was a little girl. Bubbie is still very close friends with the friends she was close with when I was your age, so I still hear about their children, with whom I played when I was little. But, wonderful though they all are, I am not close friends with them.

 

I wish, for you, that you and Naomi will be each other's first phone call. I hope the first time you ask to hang out with a friend, or have a sleepover, it's with Naomi. I hope you become each other's closest confidante. Not because I'm close friends with her mommy and daddy. But because you already have a history and a friendship that I admire, and I hope to watch grow as you do.

Your Favourite Things

I love how you are at an age where you list of favourites is growing daily. Back when you were just a little baby, your list was short and simple.

Your favourite song: Itsy Bitsy Spider

Your favourite game: Peekaboo

Your favourite first foods: pretty much anything! You weren't picky

But now that you're older you have tons of favourites! Even a favourite shape.

Your favourite song: Anything your daddy is playing for you on guitar

Your favourite game: Hide and seek (usually you hide under blankets and behind pilows)

Your favourite foods: Pizza, yougurt, crackers, hamburgers, hot dogs

Your favourite shape: Oval (we have no idea why)

Your favourite colour: Pink

Your favourite TV shows: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Backyardigans

Your favourite movie character: Tinkerbell

Your favourite book: Everyone Poops (true!)

Your favourite activity: Dancing

Your favourite thing to wear: Dresses in general, tutus specifically

Your favourite word: Nodaddy

Your favourite way to wear your hair: Pig tails, also known as 'two please mommy'

Your best friends: Naomi and Olivia

I'm sure these things will change, probably tomorrow. In the mean time, at 2.5 years old, these are your favourite things.

Family Vacation

Your Uncle David and I grew up away from all of our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. But the four us, uncle David, Bubbie, Zaidie and I, went on vacations, just the four of us, every summer. We created some wonderful memories on those trips.

Both last year and this one, Uncle David, Auntie Stephanie, cousin Noa, and your daddy, you and me, went on a mini vacation. This year, of course, we had Zachie with us too. I hope, as you get older, that our trips get a little longer, but having these experiences for you to enjoy with your family from this young age warms my heart. You love going to new places and seeing new things. And you love being with your auntie, uncle and cousin. 

Last year, we took you to Niagara Falls and Buffalo. Nothing overly fancy but you loved every second of it. We stayed at the Marriott in Buffalo after spending the day at the Butterfly conservatory. We made your very first stop at Niagara Falls on the way back home and you were in pure awe. I loved seeing you so excited by nature.

This year we went to Hidden Valley Resort in Huntsville. We went in the fall this time, rather than summer. Your brother is still really young and I admit to being a bit nervous about how he'd handle it, but you both did so great! The colours of the leaves are changing now and it was so beautiful up North. It helped that it was an unusually warm weekend in October, so even though we are well into fall, you and cousin Noa were able to play together on the beach.

Seeing you with your your extended family is heart warming for me. I really do think it is a gift that I am so happy you have. It is something we do not take for granted. You are so lucky to have all of your aunts and uncles (Aunt Jes and Uncle Jon too, of course) living in driving distance. You 'know' them in a way I think is truly special. You like your mommy and daddy's friends, but you know who your family is. You know the difference. You love them all so much. It is really a very very special thing.

I love we are starting to create some wonderful memories for you. I hope you treasure them the way I already do.