Dear Conrad Cross...

Hi Bud!
I've been sitting over here for two months with enough words in my head and heart to write a small book, and just haven't taken the time to put pen to paper. I had wanted to write you when you turned one and now suddenly you're almost 14 months. What amazes me the most is how much you've changed since your BIG 1st birthday! "Back" in April....you had really just started crawling and going up one step. Now you're standing for a couple of seconds all on your own, playing with toys like a big boy, and racing up two flights of stairs. What a difference two months makes!

I'll try to make this quick....

----------------------------

You sleep through the night!

Bed time is usually about 8:00 and you sleep until 7:30/8:00 am.

Still rockin' two naps a day, but you can go without a morning nap one if need be.

Sometimes you go down without a peep while other times you cry a bit. Not usually for long though.

You're doing great with your sippy cup/Camelbak.

You LOVE to swing.

You enjoy a good walk.

We went through a bit of separation anxiety right around 12 months, but you're getting better. (Although you had a rough morning at daycare this week, which breaks mommy's heart.)

Crying babies make you cry.

Nicknames: Bud, Brother, Brother Bear, C-Rad, C-Cross, C-man, Goose, Conrad Crossy, "Ca-rad" (Sissy), Connie Connie Connie Conrad Cross (Daddy)

You're super duper ticklish.

You smile and then you SMILE. It seems to get bigger and bigger.

And then you have a separate more "cheesy" smile that you randomly break out.

You love all fruit, cheese, hot dogs, chicken nugs, bread, cottage cheese, yogurt, fish sticks, pizza, applesauce, sausage, pancakes, etc. (So basically everything kid friendly and not adventurous.)

You used to eat lunch meat and more meats, but that suddenly ended.

You tried garbanzo beans last week. And ate more than one!

You lick the ranch off of broccoli, but we're just excited you put it in your mouth.

You'll eat half an avocado mashed and mixed with applesauce.

And you love smoothies with all sorts of veggies. If only you knew!

You have the best laugh.

You nurse three to four times a day.

You love reading books.

You get super pumped about water/bath time.

We're in the process of learning basic obedience. You have your good days and your bad. (Don't we all.)

You follow me every where except when I really want you to. Ha.

I feel like you hit your head on things often.

You don't really "play" with anything. It's more of a pick-up and throw type activity. All day.

The only toys that really truly hold your interest for more than a couple of seconds are Gwendolyn's Barbies. Ken's your favorite.

You look at me with adorable puppy eyes when you're doing something you know you shouldn't be doing.

You LOVE music. And you're an incredible dancer. Like...so good.

You clap.

You wave.

You blow and give kisses.

You dance.

You play peek-a-boo.

You give high-fives.

You "sing."

You know what a lion and a dog say.

Your first word was "uh-oh".

You also say "hi" and "ba" for ball.

(note: the tricks above are relative.)

(Still desperately working on mama and dada and Sissy.)

You've forgotten how to do "so big!"

You love being chased and throwing a ball back and forth.

The silliest things get you laughing.

You're incredibly different from your sister, yet at the same time similar.

You're content to be held, but only for so long.

You travel pretty well.

You're rarely fussy/upset for no reason.

You'll sometimes play in your crib after waking up for a good 20+ minutes.

Other times, you're rather impatient.

Your brown eyes about put me over the edge.

And don't even get me started on your cheeks or thighs or knuckle dimples.

You're the first at the door greeting daddy every day.

You've kept your laid pack, chilled personality.

You've gotten 1.5 hair-cuts. (The first one didn't really count and was more of a trim off the tips super fast b/c this baby doesn't stop moving type thing.)

It's lookin' pretty darn blond!

And we think it's going to be pretty thick.

You have a best friend and your third biggest cheerleader in your sister. (She heard you crying in the nursery one recent Sunday as she passed by your room on a potty break. The nursery workers told me she stood outside (unable to see you) and just said in the sweetest voice, "it's ok Conrad. It's ok.")

The two of you get along very well considering you're all up in her business most of your indoor play time. She's so good about offering you a different (usually of lesser value) toy to play with than the one she is currently using.

You lay your head on my shoulder when you're tired.

You're getting better, but I swear you find the smallest little crumb on the floor and eat it.

You LOVE your water table.

You're very easy to take places.

But you're heavy.

You definitely communicate to us through sounds, babbling, and body gestures.

You went through THREE sizes this past winter. THREE.

You wear 18 and 24 month clothes.

You wear size 4 diapers.

You switched from a bottle to a sippy cup at Miss Kathy's house around 12 months.

I stopped pumping two weeks ago. (No more scalding milk! Woohoo!)

You have ALL of your teeth! First year molars and everything.

You don't mind going head first off the bed or chair. Lord help us.

Speaking of which, in your attempt to reach the running water in the bath tub recently, you somehow flipped completely over landing on your back. In your jam jams. It didn't even phase you.

I love how you point.

I think Gwendolyn kisses your head and hugs you 394 a day.

You often fall asleep nursing and even at 14 months and almost 30 pounds, you still fit perfectly on my chest.

You get quite excited for meal time.

I love it when you pull yourself up on my legs and want to be picked up.

You love everyone equally.

You wave/flap your hands/arms just like Gwendolyn did when she got excited. Twins.

You have very kissable lips. And belly button.

You seem to always smell like a mixture of sunscreen, sweat, and syrup. It's the best smell ever.

----------------------------

I think I could go on and on...

I see your daddy in little bits and pieces of you, and I hope you are just like him. I see hints of mommy too...like in your stubbornness to stop going up the stairs even though I've brought you back down and told you a firm "no" five times in two minutes. (This could explain why I need naps.) We're breaking out some new parenting tricks/tips with you, so thanks for keeping us on our toes. God is teaching me all sorts of things about myself that still need work, and I'm thankful for that. Thanks for being such a big part of my journey of sanctification. I wouldn't be where I am today without having loved you first. 

Even on the hardest days of parenting, you and Gwendolyn bring me a joy that goes so deep. Praise God for filling in the gaps where and when I fall short. I desperately want to be the mommy you and Sissy need, and I care so deeply for your sweet souls.

And even so, God loves you even more than we do, Conrad Cross. He's watching over you. Every day. 

 We have a treasure unlike any other in you, little boy. I have big hopes and dreams for you, and my biggest prayer is that God uses you for His kingdom in grand ways. I can't wait to see what He does with your life. May His will be done. 

Happy 1st birthday!

Happy 13 months!
Happy 14 months!

Time slow down!

I'm emotionally exhausted!

But seriously, you're the absolute best and if I loved you any more...I think my heart would explode and I'd need dental work due to constant gritting of teeth. It's true. 

I love you, Brother Bear. And I always will. 

Love,

Mommy