Brenna Helen Marie is 14 months old!

Dear Brenna,
Since August, you have had quite a stretch of health...though it came to an end last week when you were diagnosed with a couple of different skin infections. But after a week of treatment, you are finally feeling better, as evidenced by the end of your bath last night, when you were immediately happy following your exit from the tub. You were squirmy on your changing table, and I began blowing on your belly as you erupted into chuckles.

Laughing is not a typical part of your day - smiling, yes, but not laughing - so when you do, I usually continue to tickle you as long as I can just to prolong that beautiful sound. You have a wary chuckle, like you're not quite sure what is happening and why. I am looking forward to the day when you let your guard down and laugh with reckless abandon :)

My beautiful angel, you are 14 months today.

We are in the middle of a long, windy February...and like every February, it has everyone dreaming of spring days. Daddy and I just bought a double jogging stroller, and we can't wait for the weather to get nicer so that we can get outside with the whole family. You were so young at spring time last year, and still not a huge fan of your car seat, so spring walks were rare.

You and Connor are continuing to develop the typical sibling relationship that I dreamed of after your birth - you grab at him (hair, arm, clothes, whatever!) and he pushes you away....sometimes even with a "No, Brenna!" And I love it. You have a bond with your brother, and he never wants to do anything without you. He always makes sure that you will be included during reading time and other activities and constantly asks if you can come with us if we're running errands (usually I leave you at home with Aunt Jennifer though, because you are high maintenance my friend :) )

You have also developed quite the preference for Mommy in recent days. Even Daddy doesn't hold a candle to Mommy right now. It would be your ideal world if you could ride around in my front pouch like a kangaroo :) You also feel frustrated at not being mobile yet, so you insist on me carrying you around. But even when we're all together playing or reading, you would MUCH rather be on my lap than next to me!

Brenna Boo, you are so much fun right now. You are waving, bouncing in your jumperoo, jabbering, reaching for any toys you can get your hands on (you are so over baby toys and you want big kid toys now!), and you play peek-a-boo with everyone you encounter, including me at every encounter all day :)

You complete our family in ways we could have never guessed. Sometimes Daddy and I peek in on you sleeping and just melt over how sweet and perfect you are. We love you to the moon and back, beautiful girl! Happy 14 months.