Dear Sarah (20 Month Update)

Dear Sarah,

Today marks your 20 month "birthday". What an amazing, fun journey you have taken us on since God has graced us with you. Your Daddy and I cannot begin to even tell you how much we love you. We can only hope that someday if you decide to have children how much you realize that we would go to the ends of the Earth for you.

Let me start off this letter by saying how proud we are of you. You were first diagnosed at a month old with some crazy abnormality called Laryngomalacia, and we weren't quite sure when you would grow out of it. The doctors and staff at Boston Children's Hospital were and have been so amazing with helping in your growth. Before, we had to put baby rice in your bottles. When you started to eat solid foods, Mommy would have to puree them in a food processor 2-3 times a week. We learned soon after that, that you were not a big fan of peas. There were several times where Mommy had to wear a Haz-Mat suit to prevent Armageddon. Look at where we are now. You're not eating pureed foods anymore, and instead you're eating cut up pieces of chicken, steak, beef, and hot dogs. You love fruit, bread, graham crackers...we just need to work on vegetables. Maybe by next month?

Daddy and I also love the fact that you remind us that even if we're having a bad day, you let us know that everything can be fixed with a hug and a kiss from you. We love the fact that you're getting so excited about reading books (by yourself, or crawling into our laps to have us read). We love the fact that you get so excited about when the TV show is about to start, and you get extra excited if Elmo is on. We love to listen to you giggle and your whole hearted belly laughs. You're following directions so well these days. When Mommy asks you to "get your shoes", you run right to the shoe bucket to grab your sandals. Mommy is still not sure why you're so fascinated with the bathroom these days, but maybe it's because toilet paper is so fun to unroll? I don't know. It's been a long time since I've been a child. We love the fact that you want to wash your hands every few minutes or so. We're very excited that you pause long enough for us to brush your teeth, followed by your "Ahhhh" and "Eeeeee" sounds while we're brushing. It's good to start oral hygiene young!

You have also started a great new vocabulary. You're now saying words like: hi, bye, off, on, up, baba (bottle), duck, Mama/Dada, Nana (Nanny), help (sign language), more (sign language), and "ck" (car or truck). You just recently started saying "Ba ba ba" (banana). We've also noticed that you have become fascinated with light switches and ceiling fans.

Thank you for all of your genuine bear hugs and all of your smiles. Thank you for being such a wonderful alarm clock in the morning for Daddy & I. We would much rather hear, "Hi" and "Daddy" and "Mama" than a blaring, deafening alarm any day. Always remember that we love you and that you can always come to us for anything you want to talk about.

Love always,

Mommy & Daddy

This is what you looked like 1 year ago in August of 2009:

(double click on the collage to see it up close)

And This Is What You Look Like Today: