December 6, 2000

This is a silly story about my l7 month-old granddaughter writing me a letter.

Hi Grampa,

I just want you to know how things have changed for me in the last couple of months. You know how you used to visit and see my two brothers running around the house and me lying on the table strapped into my seat. Well, I hated just lying there watching them have all the fun. I felt so left out. But now things have changed. I am out of the seat. I am on my feet. I am in the game. And I am so happy.

I know I am only 17 months old. And it’s not going to be easy keeping up with a 5 year-old brother and a 3 year-old brother but I am going to give it my best shot. They don’t seem to invite me into their games very much so I’ve learned a few tricks to get myself in. I want them to know that I am here. And I don’t want to be left out any more.

They are both very big and very strong but I’m not afraid of them. If they bump me or push me I give them my best scream. And that seems to make them take notice. Actually, they are pretty careful when I am around. So I know I am pretty safe with them.

And when they try to crowd me out I have learned how to use my elbow and my hip to squeeze in. And once I am in, I won’t let them move me out. I want them to know that I am just as important as they are. And I have my rights too.

Now I notice when the snacks are coming out. And I make sure I get my fair share. If they are getting a piece of fruit I make sure I get mine, too.

While I was strapped in to the chairs I spent a lot of time watching my brothers in action. And I really learned a lot from them. When I began to get my fingers under control It was pretty easy to learn how to hold a spoon and a cup. I just did it like my brothers did it. And now I can even grip a magic marker with the right end pointed at the paper. I can’t draw or write like they can but I can make my lines and even a little scribble.

I am beginning to notice things around the house in a different way now. I used to be only aware of my sense of taste and I thought everything I saw or touched had to go into my mouth. But now I know more about my other senses. I am really curious about how different things feel. I love to touch stuff that is soft and smooth. My fingers may be tiny but they can tell the different feelings of different textures.

I am an expert at watching because that’s all I could do when I was strapped in. And noise doesn’t really bother me that much. I am used to Matt and Danny crashing and banging around the house.

I am just beginning to see why the boys enjoy books so much. There are so many books in our house with so many beautiful pictures. And now I want to find out what’s inside each book.

I love it when you come and visit and we read the books. I like to hear the words and see the pictures. And I also like to turn the pages of the really big books. It makes me feel so important.

Last week when we visited in your house I watched Matt and Danny jump into the reading chair with you to read the Waldo book. So I figured I would join the fun, too. That’s when I wormed my way between the boys and carved out my own spot on your lap. It was a little crowded but I wanted you to know that I love to read books too. And I am not going to be left out of the reading chair.

Now that I can walk really good I have found so many toys to play with. I really like the ones with wheels that I can push around. And if they can make a noise when I push them that’s even better.

You know I’ve had some problems with climbing lately. I guess I get a little carried away sometimes and climb where I shouldn’t. And sometimes I get a real bad bang on my head when I fall. But that’s part of being l7 months old. It hurts for a while but then I am OK and ready to go again.

I want you to know that even tho I can’t say many words right now I understand a lot of what is going on. And pretty soon I will be able to say the words to let you know about my ideas and my feelings I have inside me.

And I really like getting dressed up in my new clothes and going out into the neighborhood. I can see that I am really a big hit with the neighbors. And I love it when those mothers bend down and tell everybody how cute and adorable I am. I love that word adorable. And that’s how I feel right now. Just adorable.

Well, I’ve got to go now. Let’s see. Bath time. A clean diaper. Clean jammies. My nighty-nite. My bottle. And off to bed.

I guess you know I’m having a little trouble with the sleeping right now. When I try to fall asleep I seem to have one part of me going to sleep and the other part listening to the boys downstairs and wondering if I am missing out on something important. Oh, well.

That’s all for now.

Love, Sarah