Dear Emmylou,

I started writing you this letter to celebrate your 22 month birthday on Monday, and here it is Thursday and I still haven't finished it! Let me explain why. In addition to having the most severe cedar allergies I have ever had in my life (and that's really saying something- I can only hope you haven't inherited any half as bad), most of my body, at least my entire arms and legs, have been covered with the itchiest rash- some kind of unknown allergic reaction- that feels like I've been bitten my millions of mosquitoes. It is, however, getting a little better, but then you were sick yesterday and the night before with a fever and a horribly runny, stuffed-up nose that caused you to wake up every fifteen minutes. Thank goodness your daddy got home from Dallas yesterday and was able to take good care of us. Anyway, it hasn't been a fun few days in our house, but I think you and I are both almost back to normal or at least on the mend.

Before all this happened, you and I had a great day on Monday celebrating your 22 month birthday. We played and watched TV and made cookies in the afternoon. We made the best cookies in the whole wide world, and I think I'm going to rename them after you because we decided to add a little twist to the recipe.* When Daddy got home I thought he might be upset that we added chocolate chips to them (I know, it sounds ridiculous that he would be upset about adding chocolate to anything, but he's a purist) but he even thought they might be better than ever.

Your favorite part of making cookies:


Over the past few days while you were sick and I was busy applying liters of calamine lotion and Benedryl cream to 80% of my body, you and I watched a lot of TV. You love Maisy, Max and Ruby and Elmo, of course, but your favorite show right now is the Wonder Pets. Linny, the guinea pig, Tuck the turtle and your favorite, Ming-Ming the duckling are always off on new adventures saving various baby animals in exotic locales. Today we saw them save a caterpillar in Greece next to the Parthenon (you've been there!), a kangaroo in Australia and a unicorn in some fantasy-land. It's kind of like watching a 30 minute Cute Overload musical, so I really don't mind it too much.



This past month you've been busy talking to us and really getting into pretend play. You love your new kitchen and make us food all the time in it and even tell us when we should ask you for more. You've also decided you like pretending to be a baby and get us to rock you in our arms and make goo-goo gaa-gaa sounds. While you're definitely talking more and probably could not be more expressive, we've figured out that you're not up for saying new words until you're really sure you can do it. Mimi says your daddy was like that, too.

I can't tell you how much we enjoyed the holidays over the past month with you. It was such an amazing, incredible and hilarious time. But I guess it always is with you! You are just always funny and usually pretty happy and sweet, sweet, sweet. To say you are a social child would be an understatement. I can't take you anywhere without you saying "hi" and "bye" to everyone we pass. Lately we've been working on only saying it once to each person.

Emmylou, you're the best! You're growing up so fast but I'm thrilled we have so much time together. I love cheering you on and watching you change and grow each and every day. I'm savoring every moment- I couldn't be a luckier or happier mom.

Love you,
Your Chronically-Late Monthly Letter-Writing Mommy

*Emmylou Cookies

Beat together until creamy:
2 sticks softened butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Add and mix in:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Then add and mix in:
1 1/2 cups Quaker oats
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chocolate chips (!)

Lastly, add and mix in:
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies

Place spoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.