You are

Haven’t written in a while not because I don’t want to talk to you but because it’s hard to find the time these days. I sound like a broken record.

M’ijo I wanted to write these things down before I forget. These days you’re blowing kisses not just putting your hand to your mouth but actually smacking your lips. You say your own version of “uh oh”. O. Not Oh. O. You say Mama, Papa, Si, Agua, Baby, Maya (abuelito/a’s dog), Manchas (Tio Pirri’s Dog). You’ve started to throw some temper tantrums. Mami doesn’t like it. Stop. You’ve started letting me know when you’re sleepy. “Tienes sueño” “Chi”. I remembered today when you were smaller and your hair started to fall out. You were left with this big long hair on top of your head. I loved it. I think it was cut with your first bad hair cut. You love most veggies. Love carrots and green beans. You don’t care for strawberries. You love apples, bananas and grapes and really anything I give you. Today I gave you huevo with machaca and you loved it. You’re an awesome eater and I thank you for not being picky. You love your water and that’s your drink of choice. Papi has been bathing you almost every night since you could pull yourself up and stand. Mami doesn’t have the strength to fight you. It’s bonding time for you and Papi and it helps me get your stuff ready for the next day. This week I’ve been working afternoons only, because your abuelita is in Mexico. Again. I’ve enjoyed every temper tantrum having second of it. I’m going to miss you next week when I don’t get to spend my mornings with you. I hope you’ll feel the same. I know I’ve messed up Abuelita’s schedule but well you’re not with Abuelita. You’ve got to spend time with your Tia Ana and cousins this week. I’m happy for that because that doesn’t happen often. They love you. That makes me happy. You like to play with your pichi mirri chirri while I change your diaper. Sometimes I think you’re going to pull it off. Please don’t. You’ll need that to give me grandbabies in 50 years. Oh I’ve picked up the letter Q from your FridgePhonics about 50 times today. Can you pick a different letter to throw on the floor? You love Jack’s Big Music Show and Yo Gabba Gabba. You love Baby Einstein DVD’s. You’re starting to like cartoons but not as much as all the shows that have puppets. I’ll write more as I remember more m’ijo. I just didn’t want to forget any of these things that have come to mind. I love you is an understatement. There are no words for how I feel about you. You brighten my days.

Edited to add: I remembered more. The other day when I was driving home from work you and Papi were taking a walk. I pulled along side you and as soon as you saw me you started to clap. You were so excited to see me. When you saw me drive off you cried. Even though I was about 5 ft away from you, you thought I was going to leave you. It made my day to see you get so excited to see me. You were playing outside with Papi the other day and thought you had a short step well the sidewalk is higher than you think. You ate some dirt. Literally. You say cheese when we take your picture. Well it's more like shees.

I wrote this in English because I'm pretty sure that by the time you're able to read you'll be able to speak and understand English as well. I hope you know that it makes me happy that Spanish is your first language. Mine was too.