29 months

Dear Lily

Today you turned 29 months old. Next month you will be 2 and a half. Don't ask me why, but that seems significant to me.

OK, the big news first. Drumroll... You are no longer using nappies during the day! Now I was kind of keen to do this whole transition when it got a big warmer, but no, you decided that nappies were totally not what you were into anymore and that was that. Yay you.

The second big change in your life that started last month is that you are no longer having mama milk at night. This change was more about me than you, I'm afraid. But you have been pretty cool about it. Previously when you couldn't get back to sleep without milk you would ask me to sing to you. I have absolutely no idea how many times I have sung 'Hush Little Baby' and 'Sing a Rainbow', but let's just say 'LOTS'. Anyway, now you are all about stories. So, in the middle of the night, while I am half asleep, I am making up random stories about a big girl called Lily who lives in houses, castles, and towers in the forest, by the seaside, and on the top of a hill. Generally these stories involve packing elaborate picnics, preparing party food or spotting various animals on morning walks. They are pretty boring, but that seems to be the trick.

The third big change is really not so big: you had your first haircut. Well, sort of. I often cut your fringe to keep it out of your eyes, but we had never cut the back of your hair before. The other day though, Papa said to me, "It might be time to give Lily's hair a bit of a cut." "Mmm," I said, absentmindedly. And then I went back to the study to do some more work. (You see, I had no intention of having your hair cut, but I didn't think that we were really 'talking' about the idea...) Anyway, imagine my surprise when I wandered back out for a cup of tea and saw Papa in the middle of actually cutting your hair! I was a little sad to be honest, but, of course, he did a really good job, and it looks great. Plus, hair grows.

Another cool change is that you seem to have regained your sense of fearlessness (within reason). You are loving swings at the moment and keep asking us to push you higher and higher and higher. It wasn't all that long ago that you were refusing to get on them at all and so this has been a wonderful change.

You are also continuing to eat really well, which I love. The other evening, after a late mothers' group, we were going to head home when you said, "Let's go to a restaurant and eat broccoli, tofu and noodles." Since Papa was going to have to stay at work late, I happily agreed. It was so cool, Lil. You happily sat up at the table and ate a big dinner, while I got to eat mine too. Previously dinners at restaurants have involved lots of walks outside for either Papa or I (with you), and we had to eat in shifts. But this time you stayed at the table and we ate our dinner together and chatted away happily. It did help that we were at a restaurant full of staff who actually like children and made an effort to make you happy. The lovely waiter took your order directly, then asked you what you wanted to drink and offered you a straw. He even drew you a smiley face and admired your drawing in return. You thought that he was "lovely". It was such a pleasant evening and I am looking forward to many more dinner dates with you in our future.

It's still amazes me just how much you grow and change every single month. It is such a privilege to be able to share it all with you.

with all my love,
mama
xox