Almost 18 months old!

Caroline,

I couldn't wait until your 1 and 1/2 year birthday to write this.

You have flourished this month. Your balance, coordination,

singing, dancing, sense of humor, and tenderness have blossomed.

You walk around the house, talking to your babies, undressing and

dressing them, showing them the birds, the dogs, the kids playing.

We went for a stroll with your doll stroller and you stopped, listened,

bent down and told the baby to listen. You pointed to the flowers,

had her smell them and showed her all the nature around you.

You lovingly rocked your Baby cousin Natalie in her seat, gently

patted her tummy and smiled at her. You wanted me to lie down

on the floor, which I did, you brought a blanket over and covered me,

and ever so softly brushed your hand over my cheek and said 'Shhhhh".

I wanted to cry, it was so touching.

Showing off your newlyfound balance, here you are at Julia's birthday

party walking on the balance beam!

At the beginning of the month, you grabbed your Daddy's hand

(he was working at his desk) and pulled him into the playroom and

asked him to sit and color with you. You give him the sweetest and

most loving hugs, wrapping your arms around his neck and placing

your head on his shoulder, pulling tightly, making him melt.

Daddy's little girl.

You love to walk down the stairs, holding onto the spindles with one

hand and holding your dolly in the other squealing "Down Stair" at

every step until you get to the bottom and start up again.

You use a straw and blow bubbles in the water

You hold your hands to your ears to listen to the birds singing.

Always with a hat on, you parade around the house, the stores,

outside, anywhere looking at everybody to make sure they see

and notice how cute you are! (such a girl)

You love the playground and go down the big slides all by yourself.

You suddenly developed a fear of having your hair washed, so we now

get into the tub or shower together and you hold a washcloth over

your eyes. Speaking of hair, yours is getting curly in the back and

like your friend, Lexi, can have some serious bed head! I explained to

you the need for the detangling spray and being accepting of a bow to

keep the hair out of your eyes.

Also, like Lexi, you still have that very funny scrunched

up face you love to make, when we say 'Smile'

Mimicking your cousins, at Gramma and Poppy's house,

You went through a sprinkler, sort of, jumped on a mini

tramboline, (you loved it) and ate popsicles , (which you

thouroughly enjoyed)

Olivia and you at the kids table!

Another new look is your 'Uh Oh!' face. Too Cute for words.

After making sure all of your guests at your BBQ had their drinks

you helped your self to a cold one!

Only kidding! But isn't it amazing how they watch everything that

goes on around them.

Finally, your big brother, Rick, is graduating from high school

on his way to UMBC. He looked so handsome. Mommy sure is

glad that she has another 16 1/2 years with you around.

Time sure does fly!

I can't describe in words the way I feel about you ,

only to say that you, Caroline, have brought so much

joy to this home. You light up the room when you walk in,

you bring smiles to everyones faces, laughter fills the air

when you appear. You truly are a gift.

I love you,

Momma