puzzle master - della shortz

Dear Della-

I have been meaning to write about your love and skill in the puzzle arena. I am not just talking about puzzles with pegs that you put in the hole with the correct picture and shape. Grammy gave you 12 piece jigsaw puzzle about a month ago.

From the evening we brought it home, you have worked on it practically every night. At first, you cried in frustration and threw some pieces, but you were diligent. After about a week, you could do the whole thing. Now, you have 2 of those puzzles and you work them in tandem like a pro even while watching Madagascar. I think I'll start you on bingo next.

Love,

Mama

chip off the ol' block

Dear Della-

Since the day you were born, you always come into bed with Dada and me in the mornings (thinking back to that first morning I met you to validate the statement, it is true). It was really a selfish move on our part to squeeze in that last bit of sleep more than it was to have family time, but it has become that. We always enjoy that time. We use to be able to get you back to sleep after your bottle. Now, you cry "o, o, o, o" while Dada gets your milk then you happily drink it and when it is gone, you hand it to one of us and then roll over on your belly.

Sometimes, you lay for awhile on your own or want to get up. Lately, you have begun to want to take you clothes off after your milk. I am not sure where you got that idea. It might have something to do with the attire Dada and I wear. You usually climb up on my belly for some skin to skin. Now, I ask you, does it get any better than that? I think not.

I love you,

Mama

potty time

Dear Della-

Last week while I was going to the bathroom and you were keeping me company, you indicated that you wanted to take your pants off too. So, I took them off along with your diaper and you sat on the little potty that we got for you. You have done this many time before and made the international sound for peeing with your mouth. But this time was different. When you got up, we both realized that you had actually peed in the potty.

I was pretty excited about it and gave you a big hug, but I did not want to make too big of a deal out of it. I mean, I know all about the "anal retentive" thing and I don't want my child to be obsessive and controlling. But, I did think about taking a picture of it to post here. I couldn't go that far though.

When you were home with Dada, you went again and then when he was telling me about it, you ran to the bathroom. You did it again! Is there a pattern here?

Tonight, I took you in to the bathroom in an effort to start more of a nightly routine for you (but actually it is for me so that I finally start washing my face at night). At any rate, on the potty you sat and I actually heard you pushing to make yourself go. You were doing it! (Dada-use weird little kid voice when reading that)

I am not sure what to make of all of it because as I said earlier, I don't want to make a big deal about it. Not changing diapers would be cool but when I think of the reality of actually going through this whole process, diapers might not be so bad.

Mama