Seventeen Months!

My darling baby Bowen,

Happy seventeen months! I continue to wonder with awe where are this time is going; like always, it's passing way too quickly. This month you've continued to make us laugh and beam with pride at the amazing little girl you've become.

Your biggest milestone this month by far has been walking! Walking, little baby! At first you were quite reluctant to let go of that final finger of assistance, but once you finally did, there was no going back. Now you walk all over the place, with your face absolutely lit up with pride. You look so happy to be taking these wondrous first steps, and we're always right there with you, cheering you on. You couldn't even crawl a year ago, Bowen, and now you're toddling around all over the place! It's amazing!

The other very significant milestone this month is that your mommy and daddy went on vacation alone for the first time since your arrival. Your dad has had many nights away from you already due to work, but for me, it was an incredibly big deal. We told you that you'd be gone for a few days and prepared everything for our absence. Your doting aunt and uncle came to stay with you, and you took immediately to them. Nothing could prepare me from being away from you, little monkey. I knew for a long time that it was coming, but the second day of being gone I just missed you with all of my heart. For your entire life, we'd never had a day apart and I was still waking up in the night to put in your soother. You, on the other hand, did great! You loved all the new and exciting people at home and seemed to truly enjoy your time with your family. You behaved very well, and continued eating and sleeping as normal. I'm so proud of you, baby Bowen! This was your first time without mom for a few days, and truly, you thrived. We were all thrilled when we finally reunited! It was lovely for your dad and I to spend some time together alone, but we also realized what a family we've become. Sometimes going somewhere all together is more difficult and complicated, but we don't want it any other way.

There were a few others milestones in this exciting month as well. Your comprehension is developing quickly. Now I ask you if you're tired, and if that is the case you lay your head down to show me that you're indeed tired. When I ask you to put your toys away you comply happily, and you make your desires clear by shaking or nodding your head in response. Also, suddenly you started using your sign language after many months of neither of us practicing! You sign "more, "all done," "milk," and your absolute favourite: "soother." You sign towards your mouth for soother, which was originally taught as "food," and you've modified it. Speaking of the soother: this month you've become absolutely obsessed with it! I've been trying to limit it only to sleeping, car, and walks, but also sometimes hesitate to take away your little comfort item quite yet. We'll start thinking about the subject once we hit the big year and a half. For now, I want you to have what makes you happy and comfortable. Last but not least, this month you've started sleeping in your own bed! It was a bit of an adjustment for us all, and you're still crawling over to our bed in the middle of the night. But you happily walk over to your own bed when it's bedtime and it's even getting easier to put you into bed. You're really growing up, little one.

Little Bowen, we truly could not love you more. I love our life with you, and wouldn't change it for the world. Keep changing and growing and laughing. You've been called "stubborn" or "determined," but it's your personality that makes you you. You know what you want, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to get it. We love your smiles, your constant giggles, and how when you see a few people around you having a laugh, you're quick to join it. You're a bright little thing, and you make our family complete.

Happy seventeen months, Bowen Naomi!

I love you forever,

-Your mom