20 Months: Please, Thank-You, Mine!

"Good manners have much to do with the emotions. To make them ring true, one must feel them, not merely exhibit them.” - Amy Vanderbilt



Fun with bubbles at the monthly Trinity Park Neighborhood Association playdate



Fiona is now 20 months old! (Internal Mommy Note:  How can we possibly be this close to a 2-year old.  Shocking, this growing-up thing is -- just shocking.)  This month she's been practicing her manners and has become quite adept at using "please" and "thank you" -- although I sometimes suspect she's using them purely to get what she wants and not necessarily to express profound gratitude.  She's clever, this one. Fiona has also been very interested in sorting out the people and things in her world.  All grown-ups are currently either mommies or daddies - and every grown-up is fascinating.   And while sharing is something she occasionally engages in, she clearly knows what is "mine."  (Pause for this toddle parent to take a deep breath.)

Even amid the deep breathing, I have to say that I am so, so enjoying this age.  Fiona is simply an enormous amount of fun.  Yes, sometimes parenting a toddler is a new kind of physically and emotionally exhausting - as everyday we're challenged with how to intentionally parent in a way that will help our child be kind and have boundaries, be curious and be safe, be persistent and know when to ask for help - but overall, the word of this month is fun.  Pure fun.


The month started with some still cool weather.  We bundled up and enjoyed hiking at the Eno River State Park




Wait for me, Daddy!



March quickly became warm enough for us to enjoy lots of time outside, including this first al fresco dinner of the season.



Fiona finally able to enjoy the sand and water table Grandma & Grandpa Fehrman gave her for Christmas.



We enjoyed participating in the Marry Durham festivities - a festival celebrating our city.  Fiona enjoyed making a head-dress at the kiddie craft station.



We hosted a Spring Equinox cookout for 30 friends and ALL of our children.  Amid all of the fun, the only picture I captured was of these carrot cake cupcakes I made for the party.  Delicious, if I do say so myself!

The month ended with a brief return to cold, rainy weather, which meant lots of time indoors -- and plenty of opportunities for Fiona to maul her poor Mommy.