Boog you are 16 months old today. Where has the time gone? I swear just yesterday you were a tiny, little baby in my arms. Now you are running and climbing and generally wreaking havoc around the house. Some days you are so sweet and you’ve decided that you like to stroke and play with my hair, which is super sweet.

You’ve finally gotten the whole giving kisses thing (slobbery ones) although sometimes when asked for one you simply offer your cheek or forehead to be kissed. Good enough, I’ll take it. You are signing like crazy thanks to Signing Time and those DVDs continue to leave you slack-jawed and mesmerized.

Your speech has exploded as well with upwards of 30 words. It makes me very proud. However I wish that you would stop calling me Daddy. My name is Mommy. You know the one that carried you around inside my body, birthed you, nursed you for 13.5 months and is still your primary caregiver. Daddy is fun and all and we both love him but my name is Mommy and I know you can say it, I’ve heard you. I suspect you have you father’s sense of how to push my buttons. This does not bode well for me in the future.

You have recently discovered the joys of Noggin. Before it was only Signing Time and Jack’s Big Music Show that could hold your attention but lately you’re expanding your viewing palate. This means that I have to really watch how much I use the boob tube to occupy you when I am otherwise engaged. I know too much of that stuff isn’t good for you. Forgive me, sometimes I merely want to drink my coffee or make dinner in peace.

There are other days when you are not so sweet. Rotten and the devil are how I describe you on these days. The smallest of infractions can send you into a spiraling, kicking, screaming fit. Really child, aren’t you a little young to be starting the terrible twos already? I fear for the sanity of your father and myself if this is just the beginning.

So far we’ve only had one of these episodes in public and I’d like to keep it that way, please. At home your father and I are able to laugh and mock ignore these outbursts until you get over it but in public that isn’t so easy. I have just about decided that these tantrums are directly related to your level of rest. On days when you sleep well and take a good nap you are much less likely to meltdown. Unfortunately the naps are sometimes out of our control when other children at daycare decide that screaming is a much more enjoyable activity during nap time.

I see your burgeoning independence more and more everyday. You have gotten very adept at climbing and descending the stairs and often insist on doing it yourself rather than being carried. You still need our help and we will always be there with a helping hand when you need it. I also see that independence in your overuse of the word “No.” Even when you mean “yes” you often say “no.” Unless we ask if you want a cookie, that always gets a very enthusiastic “YEAH!”

Ironically along with that independence has also come attachment. All of the sudden you are very attached to your lovey (which you call kitty) and must have one where ever we go. Taking a kitty away usually results in a screaming fit. Thankfully we have more than one and you don’t seem to be particularly attached to any given one just as long as it’s one of those blanket with a head things.

Seeing you grow into a little boy sometimes makes me long to give you a sibling. I miss my little baby. The little one that needed me so much. So often only Mommy would do. Of course I also enjoy this new found freedom for myself. We aren’t quite ready to add to our family but I’m sure someday you will have a partner in crime. I love you little man, more than you’ll ever know I’m sure.