My Dearest Mae,
You are 21 months old today. Your brilliance is mindblowing, your uniqueness is inspiring, your determination is unfathomable at times, and your cuteness is squishable. I know everyone thinks their kids are smart, adorable, sweet, lovable, etc... but you really ARE all those things.
I guess the most significant change in your life is that you are no longer an "only child." You are taking the invasion of our home by a newborn in stride so far. Thank goodness! Your dad and I are still calling this the honeymoon phase (since your brother has only been around for a week) but we are hopeful that you will continue to think the baby is "soft" and want to give him kisses and hugs.
This last month, especially in the last couple weeks, your speech has taken off. You string together many words that form thoughts. I guess they can be considered sentences but they are pretty rudimentary, three to four words. But what is most impressive is that it is nonstop. You have the gift of gab (no shock considering who your parents are).
You are determined more than ever. When you want something you want it. For instance, when you want to eat, you just keep saying, "eat, eat, eat, eat" over and over again. As if we didn't hear you the first time. This makes your dad (and me on occasion) want to bang his head against the wall and scream expletives at the top of his lungs. Ditka [the dog] has even picked up on the cue and goes and stands by your chair in the hopes that she will get some scraps. You are becoming fiercely independent when it comes to certain things and you will exclaim, "self" when you want to do it on your own. But you still ask for "help Maudy" when you can't do something on your own or you want me by your side. I am willing to obliged (although, I can see this being more and more difficult now that I have your brother to tend to as well).
I am amazed at how you remember things and sometimes blown away at your recollection of past events. For instance, Grandma Kogut is here visiting us. You remember that she has an Ipad with a Cat game that you love to look at you. You also love an "app" with Old McDonald Had a Farm and you actually knew where the button was for it on the computer.
You have become a little obssessed with Elmo and now the other Sesame Street characters, including "Abby Dabby" [Abby Cadabby], Oe [Zoe], Monster [Cookie Monster], and Ernie. I blame myself for the obsession. I allowed you to watch it. You now know almost all the characters despite the fact we only watch it every other week or so. We continue your love of it by buying you "Elmo Books" and Grandma and Papa Kogut just brought you an "Elmo Phone" [radio thing that plays music] that you are obssessed with!! Honestly, I don't mind it and it keeps you occupied. Also, there is a volume control on it so I can turn it down very low.
We have been working on counting and you can count to two and have counted to five once. You still love to read. And now I let you finish sentences in books. Also, I know what book you want when you might not say the title perfectly. For instance, if you say "Mom book," I know that you want me to read "Mom and Me." You love playing chase and hide [and seek]. You love when we take the pillows and make forts. You request them.
The last month has made me a little bit sad that it will no longer be "just us girls" but I know your brother will add such an exciting and unforgettable dimension to the gang that we will never think twice about life without him. Can't wait to see how you show him the ropes! Just don't have him work his parents over too much.
Love You Always, Mom
Mae with her stroller and her baby. Thanks Grandma Cummings for the gift. It is one of Mae's favorite things and one of mine and Pearson's least favorite things. As you can see from this photo when she pushes it, she pushes it with such fierce determination, you got to get out of the way or risk getting run over.
My Mom, Whitaker, and I enjoying the nice Seattle weather.
When my parents come to visit, I give my Dad tasks. This time around, I asked him to build a gate along our house so that I could have a "dog run" to allow Ditka in and out. It also keeps all the non-kid friendly stuff hidden from kids hands.
Whitaker's First Doctor's Appointment. He gained all his weight back a big accomplishment for the little guy.
My beautiful, healthy, and lovable kids. Mae who I thought seemed so little before now looks like a giant next to Whitaker. This photo also shows Mae with her "Elmo phone."
I love how long her hair is getting, albeit, a little unruly in this photo. 
My girls from playgroup brought Mae a giraffe balloon. Who knew a little helium could make a gal so happy.
My kids relaxing. Mae loves the baby bouncy seats. 
Mae now tries to rock Whit. She goes up to the chair and says, "I rock." We have to do a lot of supervision of this activity otherwise Whit is on a roller coaster ride.
So wide awake and alert.
My mom going for a walk in the Arboretum with the grandkids.
Throwing rocks at the Arboretum. This was right before we left the Arboretum because Mae tried to get into the water despite me telling her repeatedly not to. I told her "one more time and we are going home." She called my bluff and went into the water. We went home.
Whit's first stroll in the Arboretum. He was asleep the whole time and wasn't able to enjoy it fully.
Feeding Whit. So much easier the second time around.
Grandma Jan and Whitaker. Don't worry he wasn't in the sun for long.
He, then, assumed a position in the shade laying in the grass. He took a snooze under the tree.
Such tiny little feet and rather long toes.
First family trip to Madison Park beach. I am seeing quite a few of these in our future this summer.
I am 100 percent positive that I have this same exact photo of Mae. I need to dig it out and put the two together.
Mae enjoying the beach as a big sister.
Whitaker enjoying laying at the beach in the shade as the little brother. 
Grandma and Papa Kogut's last day in Seattle. We were very sad to see them leave.
