All About Chloe

So it is time to let everyone know just what Chloe has been up to lately! Those of you who have children know just how much they change from day to day. I keep thinking, "Where did my baby go?"

Chloe is now 13 months old and walking EVERYWHERE, attempting to climb although she hasn't quite mastered that yet. She is all about doing everything Mom and Dad do. She is very observant and if I go to throw something away, she will go find something and put it in the garbage (I usually have to take it out after :). She wants to put the lids on everything and take them off, sweep the floor, brush her teeth, help with the laundry, etc. I feel like I have a two year old on my hands. She is, as Peter always says, "Such a little person." A tiny little thing with her belly popping out walking around happy as can be just exploring the world around her!

I am afraid, however, that she is getting quite bored with our apartment. She complains more than usual lately, and after trying to figure out what it is all about (hungry, sleepy, teething? WHAT?) I have finally decided it might just be boredom. Anytime we go to Grandma's or anywhere else she is very content. She can be at home if she finds something fun to play with (anything that isn't a toy, of course).For example, look at the picture above. Chloe's new thing is to get in the cupboard under the bathroom sink-- and I mean literally get into it. She makes a disaster of everything, but there is nothing under there that can harm her, and she loves it. So I let her do it. It keeps us both happy :)

She has four teeth on top now and two on the bottom. She is a GREAT eater and loves fruit especially. She has never been very cuddly, but she will give the most adorable kisses often when you ask her too. One day I was on the floor playing with her and said, "I love you Chloe." Right after I said it she just came up and kissed me. I was pleasantly surprised! It was one of those tender moments that every Mom lives for and it is what makes all the hard work worth it.

She isn't a huge talker, but understands a LOT of what we tell her. Some of her favorite words are, "uh-oh, bath, ball, cheese (for the camera)," and her newest is "Dank dou (thank you.)" She loves to bring random things to me while saying "dank dou" over and over until I take it and say it back. She always gets the biggest smile and walks away very proud of her accomplishment.

She is full of life and personality. I can see signs that she will probably be a challenging toddler, and maybe even a more challenging teenager (thank goodness that's a while down the road!). I'll admit, sometimes I get really scared. What Mother doesn't? There is a lot of responsibility when you bring a person into the world who you have to take care of and teach.

This is just me writing my thoughts, but I think I know what gives a Mother confidence to do it. I think it is simply love. The path to raise a family isn't an easy one, but it is rewarding in that you experience joy incomparable to anything else in the world.You feel love that seems past your hearts capacity. I can't imagine our lives without Chloe. No family or life is perfect, but love is, and love is what will keep this family together.

Thanks for reading. Have a great week everyone!