Dear Ameli - Letter to a 15 month old

I know I say this often, little girl, but seriously, how much you can grow in one month just blows my mind. We have watched you, these last few weeks shed off the last of your ‘baby-ness’ and really take on the mantle of little girl. Daddy and I have both commented at times in these last two weeks how much you’ve changed in just fourteen days.

The biggest thing is comprehension. You understand what we’re saying to you, even if you can’t answer in words, and don’t yet have all the right words either, but you definitely understand. For example, I gave you some Ashton and Parson’s for your teeth, then scrunched up the wrapper and you took it from me. I said, for no other reason than to say it, certainly not expecting you to do anything, “pop it in the bin when you’re done.” And lo and behold, you rolled off the sofa we were sitting on, toddled over to the bin, lifted the lid, and dropped it inside. I was so surprised, I started clapping and you beamed your beautiful smile at me. I tried it again the next day, and you did it again. I couldn’t believe it.

Your vocabulary is growing by the day. Sometimes you say words you don’t understand at first, but you quickly get it. You call a cat a cat, but most other animals you’ll point at and make a ‘woof’ sound. You know and recognise bubbles, and call any round object, such as a ball, a circle and so on ‘bubble’. You’ve taken a strong fancy to your Aunty Deshaine’s old doll, and will carry it around calling it ‘baby’. Anything to drink is “dhwhater”, but you do know actual water when you see it. Anything to eat is “hmmm-mmmhh” and usually followed by an open mouth, waiting to be filled. Although we’ve always signed “milk” you’ve now learned to put a word with it – “dwhoooo” with a rising accent on the “oooo”. We figure it sounds like “boooooobs” to you.

You know Nana, Oupa, Daddy, Mummy, and Desh by name, and you recognise each of us in pictures. The sound of a motorbike is always met with wide eyes and “Oupa”. The sound of someone at the door is usually met with the same expression, but “Nana” on your lips.

There are some words you use but don’t really understand yet. Like when you sign “poo” by holding your nose, and say the word “poo”, but you don’t seem to really know what it means yet.

You adore your aunty and the days she stays over are probably your favourite. She is so patient with you and allows you to lead her around the house as you wish. Her room is a magical playground. Last week you practically dragged me up the stairs to her room and stood banging at the door. I opened it to show you she wasn’t there, so you lay down on the floor and cried. It broke my heart.

New Year’s Eve Daddy and I went out, and you stayed with Oupa and Nana. You were so well behaved, I was very proud of you. When we got to their house around 2am and decided to crash there, you curled up in my arms and went to sleep as per usual. You weren’t even clingly the next day.

You have the most incredible, infectious laugh, it makes everyone stop to see what you’re doing, and you’re as friendly as you’ve always been. You’re also so content. Earlier this month we went to a restaurant with a group of friends. You have been out with us so often, that it really doesn’t phase you, but everyone commented on how you were peaceful, calm, and largely self entertaining for the entire afternoon. Again, I was proud to be your mama.

This is an adventure, beautiful girl, and you’re fully at the helm. Thank you for who you’ve turned us into. We love you eternally.

Always,

Mama