I have a feeling you taught me something. Since you were born you’ve had a very strong independent streak, you’ve wanted to do things by yourself. You would fight us if we tried to feed you, and try so hard to use chopsticks or a fork or spoon to feed yourself. When it came to drawing, walking, playing with toys, the message was clear : you want to do it.

Sometimes, as you can imagine, learning can be slow, occasionally frustrating and messy business. But when you did it, when you were able to take food with a spoon or fork and put it in your mouth yourself, it was amazing and we cheered. You would smile and seem proud of yourself.

I also think, you may have known, deep down in your bones, maybe instinctively that you had to learn to do things yourself, always relying on others is not good if you are to ever become independent. Your grandmother Susan said you are trying so hard to be like mommy and daddy, you are trying to be able to do things on your own like us.

Lately, I’ve been trying to show you how we can work together as a team. You hold something and I hold something and we put it together. From experience I know you often will need help from others to accomplish some goals, so it’s good to learn to work together. But you also have to be strong and skilled enough to do your part, and I think wanting and learning to do things on your own will help you to be strong and skilled.

It’s awesome to see you becoming your own person.