20 months

Ever since I've become a mother, I can count the number of days I've been healthy on one hand. Right now, I am experiencing a strange underwater sensation due to an ear infection. I'm completely deaf on my left side and I keep swallowing and yawning, trying to rid of this stuffed up feeling. It's not really working.

Fortunately, Kumi's immune system is getting better and better and she is thriving. Yesterday, she turned 20 months. She's starting to form sentences now (e.g. "Pumi outside shoes on" and "Bathtime, night night yeah?" and "uh-oh no-no yucky WIPE!"). She still has difficulty pronouncing the hard "c" sound so she calls herself "Pumi".

We've been busy in the last month attending music classes, enjoying playdates and having a good time all around.

Alas, it hasn't all been peachy. Lately she's been getting up in the middle of the night, screaming "Mommy! Mommy!" I bring her into bed with me and endure the thrashing about as she sleeps acrobatically. I haven't been sleeping much...I think she's teething again and when she allows me to get a glimpse into her mouth, I do see sharp little ones pushing their way through swollen gums. Poor thing.

Spring is everywhere and our streets are filled with lush cherry blossoms. In addition to the monthly online journal, I keep a somewhat weekly illustrated journal. Like the online version, it's almost entirely dedicated to the shenanigans of Kumi. This is one well-documented girl! I started the journal about 7 months ago as a way to incorporate drawing and painting (I use watercolors) on a regular basis. You can see one of the recent pages below -- I had cherry blossoms on my mind.

What I've really noticed in the last month is how much she plays by herself now. She'll line up dolls and have a little tea party or I'll find her squirreled away in a corner reading to herself. Next thing I know, she'll be begging me to let her drive...