Twenty - Twenty

And here she is. My twenty month old little C. And on this 20th marker, we are in complete toddler-land. Closer to the two-year mark than the one and immersed in a classroom full of older toddlers, Caris is leaving behind the markers of babyhood and in their place embracing all things 'big-girl'. I have definitely had a few of 'those moments' recently, when upon catching a glimpse of my girl in action, I realize just how true that is. Not typically one for nostalgia, I have loved each stage for the changes and growth it brought. However, nostalgia has found me comparing photos of my baby to this big girl.

(photo from October)

Toddler walking has given way to attempted running and jumping. The baby swing has been replaced by a 'real swing' at school, where my girl can be found every afternoon happily holding on and kicking her legs 'myselff'.

Vocabulary has really exploded in the past month. Caris names anything and everything in sight. This is been amazing to watch and admittedly my favorite development thus far. Two-word phrases have morphed into complete sentences; logical, silly, and appropriate (at times). Recent and early favorites have included:
'I found a rock! I found a rock!'
'This is my purrrshe, mommy. My purrshe.'
And just last night, she requested a phone call be placed to her working 'Poppa' and on her own accord left this sweet voicemail:
'Hi Daddy. I love you. Have dun workn. Nigh nigh.'
Seriously, no prompting. Just left a sweet little message for her daddy.

A current Caris favorite is a love for singing. Often I will hear a sweet little voice pipe up in nonsensical sing-song and look over to find my sweet lil C happily working away, carrying on with a little song. She loves singing along to 'Jingle Bells' and makes a passable attempt at most sections; although excels at the 'Hey!' and 'Hahaha'. One night, rocking a sleepy Caris who I assumed to be in almost-slumber, I hear a cute little voice excitedly burst out 'Enny Pider' and look down to see the hands in action. Loves her some songs.

Caris' current favorite things list includes her babies and her purses. We can't leave the house without one or more baby and purse. We love love love all things baby and all things purse.

Our current favorite game is the 'name your body part game'. Caris loves to learn new parts and it is any easy stuck-in-traffic distraction. With the Houston traffic, we are down to the nitty-gritty, We love our elbow, and back, and wrist, and fingers, and love to find fingernails, lips, chin, and eyes. A great source of entertainment.

Our Thanksgiving adventure has really made a chef wanna-be. Caris loves to measure and pour and sort. And to remove all the spices from the spice rack.....She recently located our large measuring cup, walked purposefully to the bar, looked at me with determination and said 'Cooouk. Mommy, wan Cooouk'. Which I finally figured out meant that the girl wanted to cook. (I think Santa got wind of this and Caris may be a happy little chef come Christmas morning)

I want to capture the subtlety in change that has crept in and transformed my girl out of baby-stage. But by definition, it is hard to capture. Little things, like Caris pouring her own water, walking proudly beside me, sitting in a booster seat, and eating a meal with silverware with fairly little mess, hit me all of the sudden and I see this girl, at 20 months, so big.

Caris, at 20 months, you are a true joy. I am constantly amazed at this blessing. How in the midst of bad moods and stress, you look at me with a crazy Caris look and it all fades away. You are dynamic in personality and this is expressed in distinct and expressive looks. Quite determined and at times a bit ornery, you make up your mind and know what you want. You love well and are quite emotional when it comes to family goodbyes or leaving your favorites. You adapt to any situation and are a relaxed and easy traveler. You love to organize and are so helpful wanting to put everything in it's place. You are silly. And curious.And quip in humor, much like your daddy. And love to study. My hope and prayer is that we embrace your unique traits and foster them to the best they can offer. They make you, Caris. And we are so lucky to have had you for these past 20 months.