My sweet boy,
I can't believe you are 18 months!!!! You are absolutely the sweetest and funniest little guy. I love when I come in each morning to get you from your crib and you snuggle right into my shoulder. (You are still me champion sleeper~ 12 hours a night!) You're not much of a morning person. It takes you a good 10-15 minutes of snuggling before you are willing to leave my arms. It makes my heart melt when you wrap your little tiny arm around my neck and pat my back. It's like we've been little friends forever. You make my days brighter and more exciting. If I could freeze you at this stage I would. Your daddy and I often talk about how we wish you and Katie had a rewind button. Something we could press and take you back to a particular phase for just a few days. It all seems to go too fast. I feel as though life is racing by and I just want to savor each moment with you longer and longer each day.
You adore your sister and want to do EVERYTHING she does. You love her dolls and she has kindly donated one the perfect size just for you. Your "bebe" has to do everything her babies are doing. It must lay next to you in your crib during naps and bedtime. You love to give it kisses and hugs goodnight and then cover it with a blanket just like you. You also love to check it's diaper and always look a little perplexed when you find just fabric and no "poops." The babies accompany us in the car and on daily walks. You drag that poor thing around by the arm in one hand while the blanket tags along in the other. I'm sure it won't be long before you pulling it's arms off and throwing it around the room.
You love cars, trucks and planes. We'll be driving in the car and you just keep yelling my name until I turn around and look at you. Then in a very calm normal voice you'll say "pain" (plane) and point out your window. Sometimes you will remind me four and five times in a matter of minutes. I love how excited you are about such small simple things. You love to drive in your "cozy coupe" and put your cup in the back. You get in and out and in and out of that car for several minutes. I love how you just magically discovered what sort of noise a car and truck should make. Your focus to drive the car and make the noise is absolutely adorable.
Feeding time has become a bit of a mess. You want to do it all by yourself. You refuse to eat anything if it has been broken into pieces. You are so polite and always say "peas" and "thank you". All drinks are referred to as "juice." Some of your favorite foods are: mac n' cheese (you wouldn't be my child if you didn't love this), yogurt, eggs, juice, strawberries, couscous, mandarin oranges, PB&J, grilled cheese sandwiches, corn on the cob~but only if it's on the cob, and ice cream, of course! Try as I might you just aren't a vege guy. I can't say that I blame you, but we'll keep trying!
You are still as terrified as ever of animals that come within five feet of you. On a recent trip to feed the ducks you were absolutely thrilled to feed the ducks that remained in the water. Your stroller was parked on the edge of rock wall and you tossed each piece of bread with such satisfaction. You would just giggle and ask for more bread. But, as soon as we moved to the grass and the ducks began waddling toward us your legs began to shake and you were crying for mama to hold you. This last week you were in love with a horse in a field behind your cousins house. You just keep running to the window and screaming "na na." You were out of your mind with excitement. This continued for about a half hour (which is a very long time for little people) before you completely freaked out. Your cousins kitty came up to the back door to say "hi" and apparently this was just too close for you. Your evening was instantly and absolutely destroyed. You refused to get off my lap after that.
You adore walks to visit the "ishies" at the neighborhood nursery. You gaze into the water and point with you adorable little finger and then turn to me and make your fishy face. We have to go visit them at least three times a week. Every time I say to go get your shoes you just start screaming "ishies, ishies!" I love it!
A few of your favorite toys include phones, phones, calculators, phones, keys, the play kitchen and phones. Lately, you always want to call Papa. I'll hear you pushing the buttons on your play phone and then in your cute little voice you say, "Lello Papa," then a few time later it's "bye bye Papa."If mommy talks on the phone to daddy you have to have a turn or you just clench your fists and start screaming! You adore your daddy and want to hold his hand everywhere we go.
Your current stats: Weight 22lb 6 oz (8th %), Height 33.5 inches (90th%). I promise you don't look that skinny. You doctor says you're just perfect and growing just the way we want.
It's absolutely impossible to imagine what our little family would be like without you! I love your adorable little curls. I can finally understand why mommies just can't "bear" to cut them. I love your wet slobbery kisses and the noises you make with them. You will grab my face with your little hands and just slobber all over my mouth and face and then pull your head back just pleased as punch with yourself. I love that I can look back and see that you have been this same little person since the day you were born. I'm only just learning what a privilege it is to be your mother. I love you my darling baby boy.
Love,
Mommy
