You are no longer small. I am hardly worried about you in the sense of you being a tender, squishy little baby. Naturally, you have the run of the house, and your reach startles me sometimes. Around me you are hardly ever worried; you can play quietly and blissfully. I am glad that you know this. You mumble certain things in almost-words, so I am sure that you will quite enjoy talking to me. Already you enjoy certain liberties in the way you bathe, eat, change, the toys that you like to hold on to, the chairs that you like to sit on.
Of course, I think that you are very cute. But that is not the main thing I think about when I think about you. Actually, I think that you are very interesting, and I like to try to understand your expressions. It is usually one of mirth or curiosity, and simple determination. You repeat simple words such as Up when you are climbing, and Mine when you are holding things and I request to hold them. It's very good. You are quite an active toddler, and your little round tummy doesn't slow you down. It feeds a little giddy laugh you make when you're extremely entertained.
No, you are no longer a baby. It's just one more little step for you into being a child. I hope you won't mind my being a little correct-or once in a while. I think it's what makes you happy with me, that you know my tendencies to be strict, and short of that almost anything goes. Well, that, I suppose and my ability to almost completely disdain mobile devices. God help those who can't put them down. Anyway, for you, that will be in future. Don't worry.
Sometimes when you are sad or hurt, I tell you, quiet, baby, quiet. I hope you understand; that's the best I can do. I don't intend to mollycoddle you. I don't think you need it. And it sounds too ironic when I do it anyway. Ironic means to be in contrast to what it appears to be. You'll probably understand it soon enough with me. I think most people either like it or dislike it intensely, depending whether they're smart or their stupid. Well, I shouldn't say that. You'll judge for yourself, I suppose.
