Mallory Grace

Dear Mallory,

Today you are fourteen months old. April rushed by in such a blur. There were the birthday parties of Carter, Vito and Nan Leamon and then Easter. While racking my brain for what is new this month it occurred to me that not only are things NEW but they are also IMPROVED.

*NEW* The food situation
You currently love all things dairy. First there is the cheese: grilled cheese, cubes of cheese, cheese by the slice, cheese from the old man at the deli, cheese inside a tortellini. Then the yogurt: yogurt from a spoon, yogurt drunk from a can, whipped yogurt that tastes more like a dessert. Oh, the fun one can have with yogurt.

We also test-drove a wide assortment of sippie-cups trying to discern your preference. You made it abundantly clear tonight that you would prefer a juice box.

*IMPROVED* The sleep factor
My little lovebug, you have made quite the transition. Starting about a week ago we tried switching things up a bit by having dad put you down at night. Without any fear in your eyes you waved to him, said bye-bye and settled in. There were maybe 3 minutes of protest, but no all-night wailing like we had expected. The next test was to see if you would do the same for mama. With no bottle, sippie, pacifier or nursing you settled in like a champ. Thank you.

*NEW and IMPROVED*
Every day you shock us not only with your adorableness, but your intelligence. This month you started to zero in on routines. You say goodbye when things are cleaned up or put away and wave hi when we return from another room, even if it's been just a few minutes. When leaving the house you burst ahead, eager to open Phoebe’s crate and give her a biscuit. So enamoured with the biscuits I caught you helping yourself to one the other day.
Each night we clean up your toys because you enjoy nothing better than pulling them out in the morning. You have a set of fabric blocks that zip up inside a plastic case which you toss upon my lap every morning and say “SSSS-THIS.” We think the translation is “Open This.” Or, rather, “open this, please” because hey, if we’re going to make stuff up, let’s pretend you have manners, right? After all that work, you like to wear the case on your head and make faces.

The mischief reached new heights this evening as you used your dinosaur toy as a step-ladder to propel yourself over the gate. Your mission was thwarted by mama’s eagle eye and some protesting resulted.

Other fun habits which I must jot down so they aren't lost in the cobwebs of my mind:

• Playing with trash. If it’s so bad, why are mom and dad always in there?
• Sticking both index fingers up your nostrils and wiggling. We’ve dubbed this move “the walrus”
• Referring to your socks, shoes and feet as “Shoes.” On the plus side, you will now fetch our shoes and bring them to us. I think it’s time to start negotiating an allowance.
• Wearing the plastic stacking rings like costume jewelry.

There you have it. The new and improved Mallory Grace. Truly, fun for the whole family.

Love,
Mama