Dear Neil (18 months)

Darling Neil (18 months),

Okay, so technically you're not 18 months until Tuesday, but I know I'm going to be too busy this week to write to you, so I'm taking this opportunity now.

You started walking this month!!!  On Tuesday, January 10th, to be exact.  It was such a wonderful, happy, heartfelt moment.  We had been waiting for this moment for months and months.  Each week, and month, we were sure this would be it.  But no, we had to wait until you were ready.

It was Tuesday evening.  Sabrina, at daycare, had given us pictures from your Christmas party.  Daddy was showing you the pictures.  He was sitting on the couch.  You were standing with one hand on the coffee table, about 2 feet away from him.  Then you took 4 steps towards him.  We both looked at each other in amazement.  So daddy got up and stood on the other side of the room and showed you the pictures again.  And you walked across the room to him!!!  It was so wonderful!  Dennis and I looked both reacted in such excitement, clapping and applauding you ridiculously.  And then, wouldn't you know it, you walked around the entire house!  From the living room, to the kitchen, past the dining room, through the hallway and back to the living room again.  It was such an amazing moment.

I started laughing and smiling.  I was so happy.  And then I started crying because all I wanted to do was call your grandma and share this moment with her.  She would have been so happy too.  And I know she was watching you from heaven and was praising you from above.

Since that moment it's been non-stop for you.  It's hard to believe you've only been walking for 2 1/2 weeks because you are on your feet all day.  Your friends at daycare have so much fun with you, too. Sabrina says they play games with you, seeing who you'll walk towards.  You've also gotten more comfortable walking in boots, which is so great considering we're in the height of winter.  In fact tonight you walked all throughout the barn.

Sabrina also thinks you're starting to say words at daycare.  After lunch you lift your glass and say "nini".  The rest of your friends say "fini" (finished, in french), and she's sure you're doing the same thing.  This makes us very happy too because we can't understand a "word" you say at home :)

You're also starting to make the most interesting expressions.  Your personality is really shining through.  It's very obvious when you're not happy, when you don't get what you want, when you're just "pretending" to be upset.  And it's also obvious when you're happy.  You have such a great laugh, and it's so easy to make you laugh.  It's so wonderful that you're such a happy, go-lucky kid.

So, darling Neil, until next month.  What news will we have to share then?

Kisses and stars and hugs.

Mummy and daddy