You are getting to be “so big”!  You’re even gaining some weight.  Saturday night you weighed in at 18.6 pounds, which means you’ve gained half a pound since we got home from California.  Good for you!  Apparently you’re growing at the same rate as your mommy did, though, because I only weighed 19 pounds at 15 months.  You’re getting so tall, too.  We had you stand up against a wall and marked down your height–continuing in the tradition of the walls at your grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ houses.  You are 27 and 3/4 inches tall.

You’ve suddenly become very proud of your big fat tummy.  You randomly pull up your shirt and rub your hands proudly across your tummy.  Your daddy quickly caught on and now when we ask you where your big tummy is you are quick to show us.  I’m afraid Mommy’s going to win the big fat tummy competition pretty quickly here, though, with your baby brother or sister growing in my tummy!

On Sunday you finally got to meet little Braxton.  You positively loved him.  In fact, you made his big sister Cadence jealous because you didn’t want to play with her, you wanted to rock Braxton in his seat, pat his tummy, and lay your head down on his legs giving him loves.  You’re going to be the best big sister ever.

Friday night you let Mommy and Daddy sleep the whole night long.  It was so very nice.  Your eye teeth are all coming in, but you do really well, only waking up about once a night to be comforted. 

Your singing voice just keeps getting better.  You sang lots at church on Sunday.  We just have to learn how to say “yes” quietly when Daddy asks you if you want something during church.  Oh yes, you’ve learned to say yes!  It’s a very enthusiastic “yae yi yae yi yae.”  Usually accompanied by bouncing up and down.  You know what you want.  Whether we ask if you need to go potty or you want your nummers, you have the answer.  You haven’t learned “no” yet, though–you just ignore us if you don’t want to go potty!

You were told “Shhh” so much during church on Sunday that you learned to say it all by yourself!  Apparently you thought Daddy was picking his nose when he was telling you “Sshh”, but at least you learned to say it!  Not sure you’ve learned what it means, but you stick your finger in your nose or your mouth or across your lips and make an “ssss” sound for us–at the most random times, including getting in your car seat!

You got an American Girl “Bitty Baby” for Christmas from your Great Grandpa and Grandma Mann.  And it just finally got here having been sent to Aunt Megan’s house and then being brought home by Aunt Mouse when she was taking care of your cousins.  You were so very excited when you opened it.  You are fascinated by the eyes and hands.  You know it’s just like a real baby.  You snuggle its face up next to yours, and give it nice long kisses.  At the same time as you’re playing with your truck and tractor.  You’re all girl, but you’re a farm girl, that’s for sure! 

This morning you were driving your John Deere tractor from Uncle Mason all around the living room.  Then you were peering down into Daddy’s magazine basket.  Next thing I know you’re looking through the little catalog of John Deere toys.  When you saw me coming you put it back and started playing with your tractor again.  I think your tractor had made you think of the catalog!

You’re so very, very close to walking.  Your little friend Merritt Will just started walking, and he’s only 20 days older than you.  Maybe that means I’ve got about 15 more days left without you running around the house?  We’re going to buy you new shoes this week, because all of a sudden all your shoes are too small–especially when you wear your nice warm socks.  Maybe new shoes will help.

I love you, little Punkin’.  Thanks for being the best daughter we could ever ask for.  The other night we were getting you out of the bath and Daddy was saying how you were just the best Punkin’ ever.  I mentioned your little brother or sister arriving, and Daddy told you, “Yes, but you’ll always be my Punkin’.”