Dear, dear Liora,

Happy Birthday! You were very happy tonight when we sang to you. At first you weren’t sure what was going on, but then I think you realized a celebration was on.

For the last 2 days, you’ve been taking more and more steps. Last night you walked/stumbled/ran halfway across the room. I think you could walk if you were slow about it, but you just want to run.

You are also communicating a lot more. You can do hand signs for diaper change, drink, eat, more, and you wave hello/good bye. I think you’re also touching your head for something but I haven’t figured out what it means yet. Whenever I say something is hot, you make a small blow. It is so cute. And you say, hi which sounds like “aye” and uh-oh, which sounds like “ooh”. But you haven’t said Aba or Mama again in weeks. Most of the time, you just say “Ah” or “Eh” for everything and start screaming if you don’t get something that you want, especially if that something is climbing the stairs.

The thing that you like to do best right now is pushing things big and small. Big things you use as walkers and push them all around the room, hitting walls and whatever else is in your way. What’s impressive is that you know how to back up and walk backwards so that you can turn. Or you walk to the other side of the object so that you can push it back the other way. When you are pushing small things, you just push it along on the floor. You also love taking baths. And you love giving hugs to stuffed animals. Then you pass it back to us for us to give them hugs too.

It is so much fun to cuddle with you, not that you stay still for very long. You still love hugs and kisses from Noam best, which he’s willing to give you occasionally. You even smile happily when you see us hugging each other.