William is 20 months old today.

Dear William,
You are 20 months old today. Yay! You are fast asleep in your crib after a busy day with playdates and dinner with our neighbors. There is so much to update. You are starting to test the limits a lot lately. For example, tonight at the BBQ you got mad when Grace sat on my lap because you were jealous and you tried to push her out of my lap. You are starting to do naughty things like pushing, hitting, biting, throwing things and throwing fits. It's very challenging to help you through this time. I am trying to set limits for you while keeping you and your friends safe. It's difficult because our ability to communicate with one another is limited. You seem to know some of what I am telling you and I am trying to keep my explanations simple. You are trying to communicate with me and will nod/shake your head yes/no depending on the question I ask you. This works with some things and helps avoid confusion sometimes. We have been trying to nip the behaviors I described above in the bud as much as we can. This week you learned how to kiss and we are trying to use kissing to replace biting and it is working so far. Throwing is anotber thing that I am not allowing anymore. I am sure you are somewhat confused right now because Daddy taught you how to catch and throw balls. When you pick up a rock I am currently taking the rock from you (I'd like you to give it to me willingly, but this isn't happening yet) and putting it with the others and saying goodbye to the rock and then trying to distract you with another activity. This tends to work pretty well. The hitting and pushing tends to happen when you are tired, cranky or overwhelmed. I am trying to notice you cues so that I can remove you from these situations before you hit/push. Another thing that I am trying to do (thanks Tara) is getting down on your level and having you look me in the eye when I am talking to you. This seems to be working better. I think things will greatly improve once your language skills mature. You have a bunch of words and are getting good at gesturing to get what you want, but we still have a ways to go before we can both understand one another. You are starting to come out with phrases that I can't yet decifer, but I am hopeful that these will soon morph into more advanced communication.
I love you William. Cranky, happy, naughty, cuddly, sweet, messy, smelly, freshly bathed. I love you no matter what and always will. Thank you for being patient with me right now. I am really trying to do a good job with teaching you manners, respect and good behaviors. We are both learning a lot each day and I know we will get the hang of this toddler/Terrible Two stuff. We'll make it through together.
I have been doing a lot of gardening lately. The plants in the backyard flower bed are doing great. Hydrangeas, peonies, pansies and others are blooming right now. Daddy and I spent an entire weekend, rototilling and fixing up the lower yard so that we could grow grass for you to play on and we've been watering it like crazy lately. The grass is finally growing, yay!!
You are getting good at feeding yourself and especially like feeding yourself with a spoon. Tonight you enjoyed feeding yourself strawberry ice cream at the BBQ!
I love you my little caveman.
xoxo,
Mama