Olivia at 13 Months

Dear Olivia,

Today you are 13 months old.

This last month has been quite amazing, and you've really started to show us more of your personality. Along with that, you still are challenging in quite a few ways, too.

You are crawling now like a true champion. You're using both arms and legs (finally!) and are speed crawling. You get places quickly with ease, and you are more determined than ever to get to somewhere. You seem to notice everyone walking around you, and it appears that you wish you could be on two legs at times. However, you are challenged in that area because you are refusing to take steps just yet. You are standing on your own at times, without holding on to anything. Daycare told us you stood in one place for nearly 10 minutes! Additionally, you are cruising around the furniture, pulling yourself up and then walking a part of the perimeter of the couch. When I place you on your feet, you instantly take this really odd stance - you have one foot flat on the floor and the other is on its heel. Sometimes you stand on both heels. I have no idea what you are doing, but it is quite cute.


You're all about the drama lately and letting us know what you want. But, the problem is that you really aren't talking and are not sure how to communicate what you really want. Instead, you just start screeching at us or whining, and then we know that it is something, and we try to figure out exactly what it is. You are doing this cute little whine sometimes when there is something close to you that you want - it is sort of an "eh eh eh eh eh" over and over again until we hand you whatever is that you want.


There's also been time when we know EXACTLY what you want. For example, your father still uses the Baby Bjorn sometimes. You know that black and red carrier like the back of your hand. If it is just sitting on the floor, you will go over to it and start screaming and we know that you want to get in it. If your father puts it on, you get more upset until you are picked up and put in it. We are instantly informed that you must go in that carrier, or there will be hell to pay.


You are saying a few words, but not many, and the only ones that are clear are "mama" and "dada" and "baba". Otherwise, we know "boo" is for "balloon". You also got one of your top teeth, and the other one is now coming through. You're sleeping well at night these days. You fall asleep hard and you don't require any sort of rocking. You go in your crib, you and your sister have a laugh-a-thon, and then you are out. Most of the time you are an early riser like your father, but lately you have been sleeping in because you are only taking one nap.


The other night I saw something that made me melt. You and your father were having some bonding time before bed. He was talking sweetly to you and he was asking you for kisses. I didn't think you knew what that meant. But, while you lay there on your tummy on top of him, I saw you lean in a couple of times, and then I asked him if you were kissing him. You were, in a way. One of the times you sticked out your tongue at him. But, oh my gosh, it was quite a sight to see. The love of a father and a daughter is something so very sweet and unique. I always thought you were my baby, and I had this bond with you that I wanted only for me. I've learned to share, even though you are incredibly special to me. I've seen in this last month how much of a bond you and your father have, and to me, that means more than anything.

I love you,
Mama