Dear Grace: Who you are after a year and a half.

Dear Grace

You have been one and a half for about a week now, which officially puts you in the "toddler" category.

What the heck? How did that happen?

When Mom was pregnant with you I couldn't wait to meet you and learn more about you. When you finally came into this world I was ecstatic, and I couldn't love you any more than I already did, but it was hard to say I exactly knew much more about you. Sure, I knew what you looked like, whose nose you had, and that I would love you forever, but you didn't seem much like a person. You had no interests or preferences, and you didn't have much of a personality other than "baby" to speak of. Sure, I knew you liked sleeping, lights, and putting things in your mouth, but I still wondered so much about who you'd grow up to be.

That's still true. I still wonder what you'll be when you're older, but I feel I can say with confidence that I know you a lot better after a year and a half. These are the top 5 things I know about you as you enter the toddler zone!

1. You love to dance.

Holy smokes girl, do you ever love to dance. You learned to dance before you learned to crawl. It takes you about half a second to recognize one of your favourite songs and you immediately start moving. Sometimes I'll be holding you and you'll recognize the music before I do, it'll take me a second to realize why you're moving like that. The best part is the little snaps of your fingers to go along with it.

2. You love to do whatever mommy and daddy are doing.

A couple of months ago we bought you a toy broom. That may seem like a funny toy for a toddler, but we got it out of necessity. Whenever we were sweeping, you wanted in on the action, which usually caused more of a mess than it did anything else. So we gave you your own broom, so you could sweep while we did. Now, we have you sitting at the table with us instead of in your high chair. You cannot get enough of it. We've often caught you doing things like brushing your hair, talking on our phones, putting deodorant under your arms, and attempting to clean the toilets. You can't wait to be a big girl!

3. You love the outdoors.

You could spend all day outside. In fact, you could spend all day screaming at the door asking one of us to let you outside. You love being outside, running around, pointing out animals, finding new things to explore, throwing balls around. I don't know if it's the fresh air or the endless possibilities, but either way you can't get enough of it.

4. You love to read.

Grace, I have a confession for you. I love reading. Part of my job is getting other people to love reading. It was always a hope of mine that you would love reading. However; I'm getting a little sick of Hop on Pop. Seriously, you will give me the same book ten times in a row and cry and cry unless I read it. Now, I'm not about to do something for you just because you're crying, but how could I possibly not read to you? I love it, you love it, and it's important. I'm just waiting for the day we can introduce a little variety to your literary cannon.

5. You are loving.

You love your mom, you love your dad, you love your grandparents and your aunts and uncle. You love their pets. You have a particular love for cats right now, which is odd because your mom and I are not cat people, yet every time you see a cat you cannot contain your excitement. You love your toys and you love the characters in your books. They are all subject to your gentle pets and soft kisses. You are a joy to everyone around you and I am proud to call you my daughter.

There you have it. That's the top 5 things I know about you, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I can't wait to learn more about you as you continue to grow, discover new things, and find new ways to communicate (I can't wait for you to talk more!). I love who you're turning in to. You are my kind, sweet, thoughtful, fun, curious little girl and I wouldn't change a thing about you.

Love Dad.