Maybe you were not quite ready for Rudolph

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer was on TV the other night. We thought you might enjoy watching some of it. It turns out that you were completely fascinated by the whole production. You were paying close attention. I wasn't sure how much of it you understood until close to the end. It got to the part when the Abominable Snowman throws a giant snowball on top of Rudolph. Rudolph laid on the ground after he was crushed by the snowball. You started crying and crying (with real tears). I think you were very concerned about Rudolph and were sad that he got hurt. We had to fast forward to the part when Rudolph was okay and happy again. We had no idea you would have that kind of understanding or reaction. We also forgot about some parts of that movie. Needless to say, maybe you weren't quite ready for the cinematic drama of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Update: 20 months

Dear Lily,

Today you turned 20 months old. That's practically two years old!! You have one toe in the baby world and one toe in the big kid world. I guess that's the definition of a toddler and that's exactly what you are. You take play time very seriously. We have mandated picnics on the dining room floor almost daily. You like to make cake and a variety of soup at our picnics.

The other morning, when you woke up super early, we let you come into Mommy and Daddy's bed. You laid there quietly for a while then put your blanket over your head and said "where Lily go?" You talk so much that it's a rare moment there is silence in the house. You have mastered the word "it." You say things like: "Mommy do IT," "bite IT," and "hug IT." You love to hug your blanket and stuffed animals. You and Bowie have an attachment to your blankets in common. You know he loves his blanket. One day his blanket was out of his bed and you said "Bowie hug it." Other phrases you say frequently include: "Mommy read a book," "Lily sit down," "take off socks."

We have let you watch several episodes of Dora. You are fascinated by this show. You will watch the whole thing without moving. You answer to the tv when Dora asks questions and laugh out loud at silly parts.

You have recently become aware that you are the center of Mommy and Daddy's world. When daddy gets home from a long day at work mommy and daddy like to chat. You have started wagging your finger and saying "no talking" when we are trying to have a conversation. It appears you want ALL of our attention at all times. We have tried different tactics to teach you that this is impolite but we haven't had much success yet.

You have been keeping us on our toes but you have been keeping us laughing at the whole time.

Love,

Mommy