1.5 and looking like a big girl

A grey haired women once caught up with Vale and me as we took one of our many daily walks around the block. Vale was just a few months old and in those sleepless nights and solitary days while Kevin was at work, I welcomed a person to talk to, she was so curious to hear about this new little person I held in my arms. She shared with me how she had several grand children but that they lived too far and she rarely saw them. She stared at Vale with so much fondness in her eyes and before going on her way murmured " the only bad thing about babies is how fast they grow up." I love watching Vale play and am in constant awe at how quickly she IS growing up, every month that passes Vale becomes less of a baby and more of a big girl. She's got 6 teeth, she can string two words together making it as close to speaking a full sentence as she's gotten. She can imitate a squat, leg lift and wide step strut. She says "no" about 100 times a day and "ew" at least 50. She fights back when another little one tries to take a treasured item from her. She's fast, real fast..She's taken to running away, to the farthest corner of the apartment when a diaper change is needed, and she'll sweetly deny a dirty diaper every time. She squeals and snorts in delight when she sees the ocean. She has a preference for which shirts, pants and shoes she's gonna wear and likes to pick a pair of shoes for everyone. For Mr. K, it's his work boots, for grandma, its her clogs, dad should wear his house slippers or high top vans. Abuelita her slippers and for herself, well, she likes to change shoes bringing me one pair to put on her, only to bring me another pair a short while later. Lately it's her pink salt waters. She would play outside all day with her pink car or stroller if she could. Next month will be her half birthday, I think we'll celebrate a little, maybe just cupcakes and "agua" but a little recognition for sure, after all, we're our own little family now and starting our own traditions sounds like fun!

She's wearing still-too-big cords that mom insists she wear, after all, they are 9 months, and she's 1.5 geesh! She turns the corner, I turn the corner and see her trying to pick her pants back up, they fell, I laugh out loud, causing her to roar her own dose of baby laughter, we laugh until we've had our fill. Thanks for these adorable pants tita Kalani, this sweet memory will live with me forever.