14 Months!

Dear Henry,

  You are 14 months old! It's been a busy month and you are learning so much as you explore your world. You are running and climbing, hoisting one chubby little leg at time up onto the hearth and maneuvering stairs. Every day, it seems like you have more to say but your vocabulary is still just a few words. That's fine, Evie talks enough for our whole family!

You love to eat and exploring the pantry is one of your very favorite activities. It's not unusual for piles of pantry items to be placed strategically throughout the house as you carry them around in your grocery cart.

You are sleeping very well! It's so easy to put you to sleep and I am so thankful for that. You just roll over with a contented little sigh and we see you about 7 the next morning. It took us awhile to get to this point but that's okay.

You are almost weaned! I am so proud of myself for nursing you exclusively for 14 months. You are having some dairy issues again which has caused us to put you on soy milk. It's helping a lot!

All parents think their children are smart and we are no different. Henry, you are a genius! You are able to turn your own sound machine off and one with your little pointer finger. It's a never-ending task to keep the TV off or on. If it's off, then you want it on and if it's on then you want it off. That little pointer finger gets lots of practice! You found a piece of chalk at Courtney's house and walked over to put it in the correct bucket on her patio. You know how to put your own shoes in the shoe bucket when we come home. Perhaps, you could teach your Daddy how to do that too. You are very obedient and listen immediately.  It's interesting to see you putting together the concept of good and bad.

We adore you and still cover you with kisses from head to toe. Evie continues to be infatuated with you but there are some days that she's just not so sure having a brother is all that fabulous. Within moments of her frustration, she's back to being the proudest big sister in town forgetting that moments early she was requesting for me to put you to sleep in your bed or that she wanted a sister instead of a brother.

You are happy to let anyone hold you but when you want your Mama  . . . you want me right that second. It took you awhile to have such a strong preference for me. However, sister feels the same way so it makes for some interesting times around our house since I only have one lap and two hands. One day, you will not want me around at all so I will take all the sticky hugs, wet kisses and grunts that need to be deciphered. I'll try to remember this when you are 16 and have no desire to even sit in the same room with me.

You are our special baby boy and we are so thankful for the privilege of being your parents. You make us happier than you could ever imagine and fill our days with joy. There's nothing like seeing your big grin as you walk over to us with open arms like you have not seen us in two weeks . . . even though it's been more like two minutes.

These are the easy days of being your parents. We know where you are at all times, you are asleep before we hit the sack and you are not being influenced by your peers. Everything is innocent and pure. It's our prayer that you will always know that we love you and will do anything for you. We are proud of you for being Henry Conrad Niemeyer. There is nothing you can do that will make us love you more and nothing that you can that will cause us to love you less. All you have to do is be yourself.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy