Dear Campbell,

Here are a few facts about you:
-You are 18 months old.
-You love dogs, your parents, your grandparents, swimming, painting, and baths.
-You know more words than I can count and yell the ones you like the best.
-You are not a doormat and stand up for what you want-which isn’t always what I want.
-You know how to use the Wii and TV remotes to watch the shows you like.
-You are small/average for your size, but have a very big belly with little junk in your trunk.

Right now you are in Auburn staying with Grammie and Grampa. Daddy and I have the flu (which you seemed to avoid by getting your flu shot, we’ll follow your lead next year) and couldn’t possibly keep up with you. When I asked you yesterday if you wanted to see Grammie, you said “yeaahhh!” excitedly, thought for a moment, then shouted “YEAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!” So I know you are having a good time right now while we miss you. But we did get to sleep in until 11 AM this morning, which was kind of crazy.

I imagine I could write paragraphs every night of your antics, but you’ll just have to settle for my cloudy memory for today.

You have developed quite the imagination. Legos and food often become dog-dogs. It brings such joy to my heart to see you crawling around the house with something you made from duplos and hearing you “woof-woof.” You also did this recently with a piece of pizza in your high chair. You took a bit out of the middle of the square then had it tromp around the tray while you voiced its adventures.

Your baby Jesus Little Person often finds his way into adventures as well. I believe he has been pushed in a swing, gone on bus and plane rides, and lived during the Jurassic time period. I love watching you play with your Little People and hearing you narrate their experiences.

You love Inu. You follow her around the house, sit with her, read books to her, and give her loads upon load of affection. She remains patient while “getting you back” by hip bumping you when she walks by. This greatly hurts your feelings and you cry every time. Though as soon as your tears are dry, you are ready to love on her again.

We try to take you swimming relatively often and I think you would stay in the water all day if possible. Your lips can be blue and you can be shivering, but you still protest getting out of the pool. You are learning to jump in the pool and can hang independently on to the side of the pool. The last time we went swimming as a family, you learned the Jaws theme song and would sing it while “sneaking” up on one of us.

You also love to paint. You enjoy color and using as much of it as possible. My favorite vision from a recent experience is watching you look down at your belly while smearing orange and blue paint all over it. You have the funniest belly, it’s not chubby, but definitely protrudes over your diaper.

Campbell, you are a good girl. Your grandparents describe you as being a pure joy. Daddy and I agree, but you definitely know how to put on the charms for them. You are smart, funny, and will never be a doormat. While we definitely needed the rest, we miss you dearly and can’t wait until we have the energy to play with you again!

love, mommy