19 Months

Goose,

We took a lovely one night trip out to Fire Island. Uncle Mike was being a priest for a week and got a 6 bedroom house in return. Of course, we missed the first ferry to Saltaire but you could have cared less. You loved watching the water and being the center of attention between Auntie B and I. Once on the ferry, a thin mist of sea spray would fly into your face sending you into peels of laughter. The house smelled like salt water, suntan lotion, damp curtains, and sand with a wide open floor plan. You ran circles around the house with Pup and Uncle Mike's whippets (Millie and Odette) chasing after you. I tried to introduce you to jigsaw puzzles. They were my favorite pastime. You would slide a piece off the table and place it carefully

on top of a part the we had already completed. You were so gentle.

It was amazing being out there; no cars, no tv, no internet, no distractions. It was peaceful. I think we should all do it every year. You are forced to ride bikes, play in the ocean, complete jigsaw puzzles, and read books. To live in a simpler time. It was the first time you went in the ocean. The smooth sand between your toes thrilled you. Gammy held you and let the waves take your feet out from under you. It was pretty cold out and we just planned to say on the beach but by the time we were going back to the house, you were covered in sand and salt water. We would have stayed for longer but Auntie B got bit by some crazy beast of a bug and swelled up twice her normal size. She wanted to leave the island IMMEDIATELY. Next year, I promise, we'll have a beach getaway for more then one night, bugs be damed.

Pup and you have grown very close. I often find you both, thick as thieves, by the back gate digging holes together planning your escape. You chase each other around, first you chasing Pup then the reverse. Your closeness reached epic proportions when Pup decided to jump into your bath creating utter chaos. He tries to do it every night now. When we go for walks you need to have Pup in your eyesight or else you get upset. When we get home after a long day trip, you find him and give him this awkward hug that looks like you are trying to carry him away. It took a month and you're inseparable. (Notice Wyatt is wearing different shirts in these two pictures. This crate sharing is a daily occurrence. Weird but endearing all at the same time.)

In other milestones, you started stringing two words together. It started when you and I were in the car waiting at a train crossing. We were waving bye-bye to the choo-choo and there you were in the back seat waving, saying 'bye bye choo choo' like you have done it all your life. I was astonished and called about 12 people before we even got home, ticket be damned. Another catch phase is 'daawnn peas' which is 'down please' in English. Yes, you say please and thank you (tank ewe, roughly). The most polite toddler ever. Another new one is 'ut ooo, mom'. You will be playing nicely and I'll hear a crash then your soprano "Utt oooooo" then the patter of your feet to find me. Sometimes its 'Utt ooo, what hap?' Like you have no idea how the grapes started rolling all over the floor which Pup is methodically eating. Or how your juice spilled on the carpet. You will probably never know how these things happen.

I know I always get really sappy when I write these letters and I'm sorry. I can't seem to help myself. I still, after 19 months, have never found a way to show you how much I love you. There is no quantitative measure, that is how much. You are just so charming, and gorgeous, and loving, and have this light that seems to radiate out of you. I am so proud of you, already, and proud that I had something to do with how amazing you are. I am quite convinced you are the best part of me. You are so much of my happiness and joy. I hope that I am some of yours too.

I love you everyday.

Mom