Last week you turned 18 months! I feel like I blinked after your 1st birthday, and woke up to a 1.5 year old! Where have the last 6 months gone?! I'm still amazed at how fast time flies by. Since 18 months is somewhat of a milestone half birthday, I wanted to update you on what you've been up to since the start of 2014.
Daddy and I have been watching you grow into quite a big boy these last few months. You are becoming more and more coordinated as each week passes. You enjoy climbing all over the furniture (the couch seems to be your favorite piece of "jungle gym equipment"), learning how to walk up & down the stairs "like a big boy", and you have taken quite an interest in learning how to ride & "pedal" your ride-on toys. Other new favorite activities include playing basketball with Daddy (including throwing and bouncing the ball) and running around the backyard. You absolutely love exploring and playing outside! I have no doubt that this spring and summer will be filled with lots and lots of outdoor play time.
A few months ago we let you watch your first movie, "Planes", and it was an instant hit! Since then, "Cars", has also become a clear favorite of yours. Since you love these movies so much, we've started to collect various die cast cars of your favorite characters from both movies. They are clearly your favorite toys to play with!
As with many toddlers around your age, you are going through a bit of a picky eating phase right now, changing your likes and dislikes almost weekly (and sometimes even daily). At the moment, your current favorite foods are: hot dogs, smoothies (your favorite is strawberry/blueberry/banana/spinach), pancakes/waffles, and of course, you still LOVE cheese. You recently went through a stage where you hated yogurt (an old-time favorite of yours!), but now you seem to love it again. Go figure! You are always keeping Mommy and Daddy on our toes, that's for sure ;) Other new meal time developments include feeding yourself with a spoon, learning to "dip", and even learning to drink from an open mouth cup! Despite the mess that learning these new skills create, it's been fun watching you explore and learn :)
You continue to impress both Mommy and Daddy by understanding so much of what we say to you. Over the past few months, you have really started to follow simple commands by going to your highchair when we say it's time to eat, going to the gate when we say it's time for bath and/or bed, and bringing us your shoes when we say we're going outside or bye bye in the car. A few months ago you started shaking your head yes and saying "yeah" when we ask you a question, and lately it seems like you are on a "yes" kick, which we are thankful for! Almost every time we ask you a question you shake your head yes, so I can't complain about that, because just a few months back everything was "no". I have no doubt that the "no" phase will come back, but until then, I am enjoying the "yes" phase. You are almost always willing and eager to help us clean up around the house by helping Mommy push the vacuum around and picking up your toys. You have even taken a big interest in helping us throw things away in the trash can when we ask you to. Sometimes you get so excited to help that you will empty your wipes container and throw them all away ;)
In other fun news, you are up to 16 teeth now! We are almost there, buddy! Just 4 more teeth to go, then we will officially be done with teething. Hooray! Can you tell that Mommy is just a tiny bit excited to say bye bye to teething?! ;)
Well, it's a gorgeous afternoon outside today, so I'll wrap things up so we can head outside and enjoy the sunshine for a bit. Happy 18 months, baby boy! I have no doubt that the next 6 months will fly by just as quick, and we will be celebrating your second birthday faster than I can blink. In the mean time, we are anxiously awaiting the official arrival of spring, along with your 1st cousin being born in just a few weeks!
Until next time, here are some of my favorite snapshots from the last few months.
Happy New Year!
Chillin' in the foam pit at gymnastics class
Looking more like a big boy than a baby!
"Cheese" face :)
Mommy's cookie monster ;)
Happy boy with your new Cars toys!
Big smiles after a long afternoon nap :)
One of my new favorite photos of you, just playing contently :)
Enjoying the late winter "heat wave" by exploring outside & collecting leaves
Here are your latest stats:
Weight: 25 lbs, 12 oz (69th percentile)
Height: 34" (91st percentile!)
Clothing Size: Still 18 months, but we'll be transitioning into 24 months very soon
I love you,
Mommy
