A Letter to Kali

Wow Kali,…it’s been a loooong minute since I’ve updated your blog! What has happened so far in 2011? Well…the most significant thing is, you turned 18 months old!!! Your check-up revealed that you are a thriving and happy little girl. You had a pretty big growth spurt and are now 33” tall (86th percentile!!) and weigh 24 pounds (average weight at 48th percentile). You are speaking so well and your communication is getting better and better every day! I would probably put your vocabulary at about 25-30 words (that’s up from about 12 words just three months ago). And that's not just saying them (because you repeat EVERYTHING now) but you actually knowing the meaning of the word and use it correctly when communicating with us. Your newest words are: bath, pretty (our name for my perfume bottles), outside, hot, cold, seat, milk (but you pronounce it "milt"), fish, juice, belly, elbow, shoes, socks, water, hungry, cracker, funny, car, Elmo, up, book and moon. You’re starting to sing songs and are still my little dancing queen. You are not picky when it comes to music genre either…Daddy can start beatboxing and you’ll start moving your body. You love to imitate me especially when I’m squeezing into my jeans! And let’s not forget your “How you Doin’ (courtesy of the Wendy Williams’ show). You were a big hit for all the football fans this season because you learned the signs for “Touch Down!” and “penalty: holding” I tried to get a video of everything this evening but you weren't really in the mood to be filmed. Oh well, Mommy needs to post a blog so....ACTION! *lol*:

Let’s see…what else has happened? You visited me at work for the first time a couple of weeks ago. We had some unusually warm January weather and Daddy got you dressed in a cute spring outfit complete with sunglasses. You were a big hit with your friendly personality…who can resist a toddler who gives “fist bumps”?? *lol* It was a much needed mid-day diversion but it was hard to get back to work after you guys left.

Your latest adventure is Gymboree Play classes. It seemed like it was time to start developing your motor skills and getting you used to organized play. And since you loooove running, climbing, and jumping (yes, you can already jump with both feet off the ground!) I figured you might like this class. I couldn’t have been more right! From the moment you entered the room, you had a blast! And of course you ended up being the “Bell of the Ball” with your carefree spirit and loving ways. At one point, another mom held her arms open to you and you ran right into her arms and gave her a big hug and even sat in her lap! Every parent in the class went “Awwwwwww!” in unison! Then while I was officially signing you up, the teacher told me that the Saturday class was full but that she would definitely let you in. She was genuinely disappointed when I informed her that you would be attending the Thursday classes so that you and Daddy can have this experience together. You are such a love bug!!

Your personality is showing more and more. You are so SILLY!!! You love making funny faces…especially at dinner time when you’re supposed to be eating! I try to keep a straight face but as soon as you detect the tiniest crack of a smile, you go into clown-mode and I have a hard time getting you back to being serious. You like it when I call you “Kali”. I can say “Kalissa” over and over and as soon as I call you “Kali” you get the biggest smile. Maybe it’s because it is easier to say. You’re still having a tough time saying your name. You’ve got the syllable count right but the “Kuh” sound isn’t your strong suit yet. You end up saying “La-lissa”. I’m sure you’ll have it down soon!

18-month challenges? You wake up in the middle of the night about 50% of the time! Most of the time I just have to lay you back down and tell you to go to sleep. But then other times, like last night, you are not having it and you call out “Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy” arrrrggghhhh! I go in every single time because I want you to know that whenever you call me, Mommy will be there. But, enough is enough! Last night, after you called on me and I told you to go to sleep, you decided to call Daddy. “Daddy. Daddy. Daddy.” Haaahahahahaha!! You might as well give that up baby girl because Daddy is not getting up for you in the middle of the night! Of course, I got up again and laid you back down. What do you think you did next? You just kept saying, “Up! Up! Up!” Aye yi yi!! Eventually you got sleepy and drifted off on your own.

The other challenge is getting you potty trained. Well, I can’t really even say it’s a challenge because we haven’t even started! Totally our fault…I’m sure if we had started you by now, you would have already been ready for big-girl panties. It’s our fault, we’re holding you back! I hope to at least start the process in the next couple of weeks…but hey, diapers are convenient!! *lol*

That sums up our 1st month of 2011. All in all, Kalissa, you are a wonderful little girl and I am so proud to be your mommy! I love you lots and lots!!