18 Months

What?!  I have a 1 1/2 year old?!  I can't believe it!  

Stats: We don't go to the Dr. until next week so I will update after that.  When we were there a couple of weeks ago, he was just over 27 pounds.  And I'm guessing he's close to 34 inches tall.  All of his shirts that he's been wearing since about October are mostly showing his belly, and his pants are becoming high waters! He has 12 teeth - 4 on top and 4 on bottom right in the front and then his 4 one year molars.  

Milestones: He is talking up a storm!  I'm guessing he has about 40 words.  Most other people can understand him pretty well, but sometimes I have to interpret since I hear him all day everyday!  Graham does a great job following directions and understanding what I tell him.  It's so neat being able to communicate with him more and watching his mind work so hard!  He can identify all body parts on both himself and others.  He has one speed - running fast everywhere, from the moment his feet hit the floor in the morning until he goes to bed at night.  He's a lot to keep up with!  One of his favorite things to do right now is to blow kisses.  It's the sweetest thing!  I'll tell him, "I love you!"  And he'll blow me kisses! :)

Personality: Graham is overflowing with a hilarious, contagious, full of joy, sweet, easy-going personality.  He is such a joy to be around because his excitement for every little thing just rubs off on you too!  Graham can also be very strong willed.  We've had a few weeks where he's really tested and pushed so I've had to be on top of it discipline wise.  We've learned that time outs in his crib work best.  He's very opinionated!  He'll let you know what he wants when he wants it!  Graham is still very social and LOVES to play with other kids.  He runs into the nursery room at church and at the gym without even looking back.  He talks about his friends all of the time and always asks for them!  His besties are Grace, Libby, Anna, and Ella!  I hear these names A LOT! :)  Oh, and of course they are all girls!  Graham isn't afraid of anything - he is very daring and fearless.  And when he falls or get hurts, he recovers very quickly and just gets right back up and keeps on going.  

Sleep: I don't want to even write about this because it will just jinx it, right?! :)

We went through a stretch, most of January, that he was only napping about an hour to an hour and a half.  He would wake up screaming and couldn't settle back down.  Some days he would sleep on me for another hour or two.  Thankfully we just waited it out, and now we are back to great napping!  He naps anywhere from 2-3 hours.  I usually put him down by 1:30, and he wakes up about 4.  I love this schedule!  At night, he goes to sleep about 8 and is usually awake about 6:30...ugh!  I'm looking forward to the time change next weekend! :)

Clothes: There are just a few 18 month clothes that he can still wear.  We are mostly in 24 month and 2T.  I'm buying all of his new spring and summer clothes in 2T.  He's still in a 5.5 shoe and size 4 diapers.  

Food: Graham is proof that you can live on bread and cheese alone! :)  Although he has branched out a little more recently.  He LOVES grilled cheese, cheese quesadillas, mac n cheese, pudding, ritz crackers, yogurt, muffins, pancakes, bananas, ketchup, any type of sweets - he is my child! - and just recently he is starting to really like sweet potatoes, chicken, turkey, and green beans.  Some days he eats a ton and others he could care less.  He drinks about 18 oz of milk a day.  And he's finally drinking water a lot too!

Likes: being outside, playing with friends, playing hide and seek - and he's actually really good at it!, reading books, Elmo, bath time, music, dancing, trains, trucks, animals, stickers, imitating whatever I'm doing

Dislikes: having his diaper changed, being told no

Looking forward to: starting swim class again next week, playing outside more and more as the weather gets nicer, fun trips planned this spring

We are just loving our days together right now.  He is so much fun, and we always have a blast either out and about or at home playing.  I'm so thankful for my little buddy!

 One of his favorite hide and seek spots - pretty impressive!

He loves to stand and "play" in the fridge every time I open it!

Happy 18 months to our sweet boy!  We love you!