Today, you are 17 months old.
I wrote a post earlier today-- a bulleted list of facts about you at 17 months old. I listed how many teeth you have, how many words you can say, your favorite activities and games, and milestones you've reached lately. And then, I looked over the list and realized that, while everything included was about you, it didn't even come close to accurately capturing you.
Bullet number three stated that you have five teeth right now. But it didn't mention how your entire face lights up when you smile your big, sincere smile. When we're in the car and your Mickey Mouse DVD is playing, I always glance in the rear-view mirror to catch a glimpse of that toothy grin when I hear the words "It's me, Mickey Mouse!". Because no matter how many times you've watched that DVD, you still smile like it's the very first time when Mickey says hello.
The fifth bullet said that you no longer crawl upstairs-- you prefer to walk up each stair, holding my hand for extra support. I didn't mention, however, that sometimes you don't look to me for support, even when I want you to. Yesterday afternoon, you were playing out back on the patio. I looked away for maybe 15 seconds to check on dinner in the oven. You took advantage of that small window of time and made your way up to the very top of the steep hill in our back yard. You smiled at me excitedly from your perch and took my frantic sprinting towards you as an invitation to a game; you ran down the hill, arms outstretched and laughing, at full speed. And you know what? You made it without falling. And you know what else? You were wearing a shirt that said "Stunt Man".
Somewhere on my list, I noted that you're still not using many recognizable words. But you are becoming an increasingly better communicator each day. You like to play the "name game"; that is, you point to different objects, toys, or people-- and then you look at me and wait for me to name each one. You try to name them, too, in your own language. You also enthusiastically sign "more" when you want another helping of food, or when you want me to continue to toss you up in the air or play cars with you.
Oh, the cars. My bulleted list did mention playing cars as one of your favorite activities, but that's such an understatement. You love pretty much any form of transportation and practically pop out of your wagon as you point with sheer excitement at every car, truck, airplane, helicopter, motorcycle, or bike that we encounter on our nightly walks. Your toy box is overflowing with miniature forms of those same modes of transportation and you bring them to your daddy or me, one by one, and sit them next to us on the family room floor. Then you give your signature squeal and start sprinting in circles around us, laughing as we chase you with your firetruck or school bus.
My bulleted list could never capture the way your face looks-- so full of pure, innocent love-- as you lean in to kiss me and wrap your arms around my neck. It couldn't convey how deeply you laugh when your daddy chases you around the house, or when you watch Maggie and Snickers wrestle.
The thing is, Camden, my list didn't do you justice, because it's impossible to capture everything that makes up your sweet, loving, playful, and mischievious personality with a bunch of bullet points. You've been here with us for 17 months now, and I still wake up every morning excited to run up the stairs and see your little blonde head peering out at me over your crib rails. It never gets old. It never will.
I love you more than you could possibly imagine.
Love,
Mommy
(PS-A big thank you to my wonderful and talented friend, Ellie, who designed my new header for me. Ellie is a busy mom to a sweet daughter who is a couple of days older than Camden, and she still took time out of her hectic schedule to help me out. Thank you, Ellie!)
(PPS- You might've noticed that my blog title is different-- I've decided to retire "Party of Five". Why? Well, because, I'm hoping that eventually we'll be more than a party of five and I figured why not be ahead of the curve and make the switch now? And no- this is not a pregnancy announcement. Really, Mom. It's not.)
7 comments:
LOVE the new look!
ha, I love the new name! I think it suits you great and how cute is CAm these days, he looks so tall in the pictures. Gage LOVES his wagon too, it's a shame he doesn't have a riding buddy like it seems CAmden does. I swear these kids would be best buds!
Love this post. So much better than bullet points. I would like to add that the reason he is such a wonderful, happy, beautiful 17 month old is because he has you and Matt for his parents. One lucky guy.
I love this post. My nephew has grown into such a fun, adorable, sweet, playful, and smart little guy. He's such a great kid. :)
I love this post in so many ways. While it can be simple in a wonderful way to make a bulleted list of your son's accomplishments--knowing that there is a backstory in each of them--it is great that you took a moment to embrace a break from the routine and really create a picture of your son. It is really sweet in how well you know your son and appreciate every detail of his life. I feel like someday if I am blessed to have a child that I imagine I would be touched and reflective on the same kind of stuff you recognize in the powerful everyday life.
I had to laugh at your PPS because I immediately noticed the change in the title of your blog and started to wonder... :) But I think it is a great change because it allows room for so much more with room to dream in whatever the future may bring.
Beautiful post Kerri. I completely agree. Bullet points can never truly capture the little people they are becoming. Well worded, and very touching. He is growing into such a sweet little man!
Love the post, the photos and the new header!
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