Dear Camden (20 month edition)

Dear Camden,

You're twenty months old today. Wow...just wow. You're marching right along to two years old, and quite honestly? I'm loving every minute of watching you grow up. Sure, there's something to be said for a snuggly newborn who falls asleep cradled against your chest. But in my opinion, there's something more to be said about a toddler who runs to you as fast as he can, arms wide open, and plants a big, wet kiss right smack on your lips.

At 20 months old, you:

• Have graduated from parallel play to truly interacting with other kids...namely, your cousin Will. It's so fun to watch you two together and catch glimpses of all the trouble you're going to make growing up down the street from each other. You two have gone from toddlers whose interaction was limited to fighting over toys to toddlers who run around chasing each other, squealing with laughter. I love watching this relationship blossom.
• Use 5 signs regularly (more, open, eat, dog, and go). You've just begun combining signs to form short sentences.
• Are still stuck at 6 teeth but you've been showing signs of teething for at least a month. I'm beginning to think you're the slowest teether in history.
• Can identify countless body parts: eyes, eyelashes, eyebrows, teeth, nose, hair, ears, bellybutton, and many more. You like to take turns pointing out various parts on other people, and then comparing them to your own parts.
• Can now climb up to the top of the playground by yourself and go down the slide all alone. You always look a little terrified during the actual sliding, but then you get right up and do it again when you're done.
• Jump to me in the pool and even went down the water slide (with me) once.
• Are still hesitant around new people, but your severe stranger anxiety is gone (no more tears around strangers).
• Sometimes laugh yourself to sleep at night.
• LOVE: your family, your pets, playing outside, riding on Nan and Pop's boat, playing at Lauren's house with your cousins, playing at Tricia's house in the playroom, the pool, reading books, Mickey Mouse, playing hide-and-seek, cars, trucks, planes, trains, and going to the playground.
• HATE: haircuts--with a passion. Having playtime interrupted for diaper changes. Being told it's time to come inside while playing outside. The doctor's office.

To sum up all of these bullet points, you're basically an adorable, loving, smart, and fun little guy. In fact, I tell you every day just how fun you are and just how much I love being your mom. There isn't a better job in the world; I'm sure of it.

Happy 20 months to my favorite little guy.

Love you lots,
Mommy