Ode to Baby

I am obsessed with my baby (who is almost not even a baby anymore, as she is nearly 18 months) and so is everyone in our household. There is no "gush quota" in this home. We cannot help ourselves. Noelle is a joy, joy, joy. She cannot stop kissing things. People, toys, furniture. The simplest prompt, such as "Noelle, kiss the couch!" gets immediate results. And once she starts, she can't stop! She must kiss everybody and everything! We can't get enough! She is also a hug maniac. I have found her, on several occasions hugging the stairs if there is nothing better to hug. (Note: You can differentiate between a hug and something else by listening for her accompanying "hug sound" which goes like this: Mmmmm.)

I do not mean to say that she is a perfect child. But whenever we get frustrated with her--and we do frequently, as she has mastered the subtle art of the temper tantrum--she only needs to bring on the smooches and snuggles for us to forgive and forget. And wouldn't you, too?