Dear Charlotte,
A few days ago you turned 13 months old. Is that even a thing? I'm not sure at what point people stop measuring a baby's age by months but for the sake of record keeping...you're 13 months. You keep getting more and more fun! You are starting to learn what noises animals make and you're starting to say a lot more words like, "strawberry", "bread", "bug", "love you", and "oh wow" and you're usual mom, dad, hi, buh-bye, etc are getting more recognizable and understandable. You're starting to repeat a lot more words, too. Which means mom needs to stop using naughty words in front of you. Oops! It's almost humorous how excited your dad and I get about you talking. We just think it is the coolest thing ever.
You've also started walking a lot more! Up until this last month, you COULD walk...you just didn't. You're a very fast crawler so I think you just figured you could get where you wanted to go faster if you crawled. Which is true. But it's a lot of fun watching you learn to walk. You're better at it than you realize, and the times where you walk the furthest without falling are the times you are less aware. I have mixed feelings about you growing up so fast, but overall it makes me really excited.
Also about a week ago it was my birthday! This really was the first birthday that it really hit me...I'M OLD! Okay, not really. I'm still quite young. But I'm quickly approaching 30 and life is a lot different than I expected it to be at this point. I kind of expected my 27-year-old self to be a little more mature...a little less naive...and, I dunno...taller? Haha but while I do feel like life has flown and I am not where I thought I would be, I do feel like I have learned some life lessons and I want to share a couple of them with you. Mostly because I wish it hadn't taken me 27 years to figure them out so I'll give you a head start.
1. Cherish the relationships you have in your life. There have been a lot of times in my life where I felt like I could handle things on my own and because of that, I have neglected A LOT of relationships with friends, family, and to be honest with Jesus Christ. Those relationships are so important. Don't neglect any of them. Because there WILL come a time in your life where you need others. And there will be a time when others need you, too. I am a firm believer that certain people are placed in your life at specific times because there is something that you need to learn from them at that exact point in your life. Keep that in mind as you interact with those around you because there is something you can learn from everyone. On another note, don't put too much time and energy into relationships with people that aren't willing to put the same amount of time and energy into you. I've learned that the hard way and trust me, it ain't fun.
2. Be what you want to be! If you want to be a doctor, be a doctor! If you want to be a stay at home mom, be a stay at home mom! If you want to be a freakin' astronaut, be a freakin' astronaut! The only thing you're not allowed to be...is rude. Because that's just not allowed in our family. Life is way too short to live someone else's dreams. You do you, boo.
3. Stand up for yourself, dang it! Not (just) in a "stand up against the bullies in your life" type of way but also in a "I'm important and I don't deserve to be walked all over" type of way. It has taken me WAY too long to learn this lesson. Learn how to stand up for yourself and learn how to do it in a classy way. You don't have to be loud, violent, or crazy to stand up for yourself. Sometimes all it takes is you walking away from a situation you don't deserve to be in.
4. Have fun! If you're anything like me, you need to stop worrying about the future and just have fun. If you're anything like your dad, you need to stop having so much fun and settle down for once. Haha tooootally just kidding. In fact, I hope you take after your dad! He is one of the craziest, most fun, energetic people I've ever met and if you're lucky you'll be just like him.
I know everything I have to say is cheesy but I could die tomorrow (knock on wood) and you would never know how wise I was! Hahaha just kidding. Love ya, kid! You're real great!
Love,
Mom
