2.75

Dear Milo,

I can't believe it has almost been a year since I last wrote you one of these letters! How quickly the time goes. Well, as they are known to do, this year has brought about big changes around here. Changes which I knew were coming so I spent this last year busily soaking up all the goodness before said changes happened and being more present with you. I do not regret that for one moment. I do regret that I failed to document every fun outing we did and the awesome things you said and funny faces you made, but I did what I had to do and there will be no regrets about that.



So, before I get to all the changes that have been going on I am going to rewind a bit and try and get out some of the memories of this past year. Mostly this summer. We had such a fun summer. I was determined to have the most summery summer possible and I'd say we succeeded. We went berry picking multiple times (starting off with strawberries, then raspberries and blueberries), went to outdoor concerts at the farm, visited the zoo a number of times, played at parks, picnicked at parks, took 4 weeks of swimming lessons, took bike rides, went to the beach, ate sno-kones and ice cream frequently and even visited Oaks Park Amusement Park. Most of these good times were had with our dear friends. We even had a few new friends added to our lives in the form of tiny, sweet babies who you totally adore. Ah yes, summer was good. I can't tell you how many times I pulled you in for a squeeze to breathe in the smell of outside, sunscreen and sweat on your hair. You would hug me back for a minute then run off to do whatever I pulled you away from, completely oblivious to your mother's impending craziness.



In addition to all of our summer fun we have been doing our normal routine around the house of playing, napping, snacking, etc. Your favorite thing of all time to play with remains the blue guitar we got you on your second birthday. This must be some type of world record for a kid enjoying the same toy for an extended period of time. You are really amazing to watch on that thing. Your entire being shifts into this little rock star. You strum the strings with ease and sway back and forth while singing. Sometimes you'll put music on in the background to play along with, but you are just as comfortable being a soloist. You sing songs you've learned through Music Together (mostly the "Hello Everybody" song) or you'll make up your own songs too according to what's going on (you've done the snack song, laundry, dinner, etc.) and recently your favorite local performer, Mr. Ben has been a great source of inspiration. A couple weeks ago Brody brought you home a ukulele from Hawaii. It's blue. It is a perfect smaller version of your guitar, only it has white flowers on the front of it. You love it. At first I was wondering if your ukulele love would replace your guitar love, but I shouldn't have worried. You may have favored uke for a couple days, but after that you just worked it into your act. You follow along Mr. Ben's routine (on the cd we have) of switching to the ukulele for singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and your ABC's.



As I mentioned before, your body language changes completely when you have a guitar in front of you to strum on. You tend toward the quiet, shy side when we are out with a bunch of people or in public. The other day we were at a friend's birthday party. There were probably about 20 adults and 7 kids running around. There was a lot going on and all you wanted to do was be right next to your dad or I, until you found the "yellow guitar" that matches your blue guitar. You picked that thing up and started strumming and singing and continued to do so for the rest of the party. You were adorable. People kept asking me if we played guitar to you and the truth is we don't. Neither your father or I are skilled musicians, but I have a feeling you will be the first musician in our family.



The other thing that sticks out most in my mind during this past year is how many questions I have answered. WHY? Has become the resounding word out of your mouth and though I have been told it's just a phase, it seems an unending one. I literally got to the point a few times where I just plumb ran out of answers. I had nothing left to explain except to say, "that's just the way it is." You have now taken to filling in that blank for me when you can tell I have answered enough why questions.



So, I guess that brings us to the change. Well, two weeks ago you started going to preschool! The first day was REALLY hard. For both of us. We went to visit the school together a few times and even spent a whole morning with your new classroom together and you did great. We talked about school a lot and how you were going to stay there with your teachers and new friends and mommy and daddy were going to be gone. But none of that could prepare you for that first morning when I got you all settled in and then said it was time for me to go. You screamed and you cried and I finally had to just leave saying I would be back after nap time. Nothing could prepare me for how awful I felt. Luckily the director from your school called me almost as soon as I got in my car to tell me that you had calmed down. That made me feel better. Almost. I couldn't really concentrate on anything until I picked you up and I too had my fair share of tears that day. The second day was no better. It was mostly just the drop-off time though, your teachers said you really opened up during class and asked a bunch of questions (I am guessing they were mostly about WHY?). Last week and today you did great! You didn't cry once and you asked all weekend if it was Tuesday yet and if you could play with your friends at school. You never cease to amaze me with the way you are able to adjust to things.



The next big change is that I started a new job today. I knew that once you were in school I would begin looking for work. I thought I'd find a part-time job somewhere and would be home with you on non-school days. But then, I found a full-time job. In Beaverton. It was too good an opportunity to pass up, so after much deliberation with your father I decided to go for it. And, well, I got it! This job means these changes are even bigger than we anticipated. Tomorrow you meet your new nanny. Nanny Summer. (perfect name, no?) She seems just as sweet as summer and I think you will really like her. It will be yet another big adjustment, but I know you will surprise me yet again with your willingness to accept change.



When I got home from work tonight, your dad had already picked you up at school and you two bounded down the front steps to greet me with big, giant smiles on your faces and gave me the biggest hugs ever. I missed you so much, but wow are you fun to come home to!

Love Always,
Mommy