17 months...

Of this girl.

Her sweet smile and joyful laugh. Eyes full of wonder, constantly amazing me with their depth of expression. Sweet Caris, your adventuresome spirt has sprung to new realms with your increasing abilities as a biped. Ever improving climbing, running, dancing. Feet seeking new adventures, new ground, new skills. Caris, you continue to LOVE the outdoors, so evidenced by our recent trip to New England when the weather allowed for ample time spent in the air of nature and in time spent in the country air of Gonzales and Albany. You came alive, my girl, and would spend hours upon hours outside if weather permitted. So much joy and love for the grass, wind, and air. You eat it up and it is as if it becomes part of your soul. My favorite.

You love new places and new adventures. Planes? Football games? Basketball stadiums? Parties? City streets? Shopping? You thrive there, my girl. Living it up and loving every minute. When mommy packs her bag and says 'let's go!' you are at the door in a flash, laughing and stomping excitedly all the way. You love adventure, crowds. But you definitely have a shy side in some circumstances, clinging to mommy when new kids are around and at morning drop-off. You are sensitive and emotional. Particularly when it comes to discipline and your things (including your mommy). You study; new faces, places, circumstances; so intently do you study. But when you come around, you are full of life. I see this that you love well and much.

You constantly amaze me with how much you understand. You are getting 'it', and have been for the past few months, my toddler lady. Things are coming together in all forms and your world makes sense to you. You follow all commands exactly and even seemingly listen and participate in conversation. You set the table, use your forks, and get your cup when you are thirsty. You talk, often. Sometimes it is in your 'Caris language' but often it more closely resembles that of your mom and dads. I love to hear your voice; singing, making animal noises, and learning new words.

Watching you learn and teaching you new things is true excitement. You take on each new quest with great zest. Studying your mom and dads movement of face, mouth, and body and imitating so precisely. You have mastered your body parts and animals. Both responding when questioned and independently asserting your knowledge. Down to your elbows and knees and your bunny and monkey, you know. And you love to know. We are learning letters and colors and for some reason, you know the letters 'F, J, and S' and love to make the sounds. p.s. your animal sounds are my favorite, especially that bunny and monkey.

You are constantly watching, observing. Every little move we make, you see. Every picture and word on a page, you soak in. I am continually surprised by your attention to detail and the minute things you observe. You pick up on so many things that we pass by. And you are focused. You love to order things precisely and complete a task. Meticulous, my lady.

You are spirited and funny and love to perform. Your dance moves are increasing and you always ask for music to bust out your moves. You sing along to your favorite songs and light up when you hear a good beat. I truly love this about you; the joy and freedom you have in music. It too, like the air, is in your soul. And it is true joy. Your performance extends to your love to show off your skills; cutie shrugs, the 'face', animal sounds, dance moves, you love to show them off to your audience.


This stage has been a favorite; the last few months have seen such growth in your development. You are full of life and becoming such a little person. I look at you now and see a little girl, so tall and so grown up in your actions, looks, words. You run your little classroom like you are the boss. But you still love a snuggle and for mommy to hold you :) I cling to this last glimpse of baby-hood. Because it is disappearing quickly. With every new word and new skill, you are becoming a little girl. Not so much my baby Caris, but my beautiful girl.