18 Months

Dear FIN,
Happy 18 months today. This has been quite a fun filled month. Not only the things you continue to pick up, but our family is on the move. This past month you learned to count to FIVE, tell me and everyone else around us when you have to poop, and very clearly state when you are unhappy with us - there are others, but the sentence ends so nicely after three. In addition, we put the house on the market, I left my consulting firm, your daddy got a promotion, and we are moving to Northern Chicago - not all in that order.
In the past week, you have been to two different zoos. You seem to enjoy it, but mostly you like the sea gulls. Not the foreign animals that are shipped in a locked up for your enjoyment, but the crap eating, low swooping, shitters that annoy the heck out of everyone else. First the Lincoln Park zoo in Chicago, then the Milwaukee zoo. We let you run loose at the Milwaukee zoo. You loved it. People enjoyed watching you. So ensued the following photos of our time there with your parents, and your non-biological aunt Jess & Uncle Wes.

The last picture shows our image of you for about an hour at the zoo. We joked that we should put a number on you with 26.2 on the runners tag and we'd just cheer you along the entire time. You ran non-stop - till I got you pop corn. Then you decided it was ok to slow down. I know this says a lot about your independence and that you may be a taller older self when you are doing this at 18, but until then, and I'm certain the bribes will have to be more than popcorn, I will do whatever to get you to slow down and include your mom & dad.

Love,

Mama