18-24 months

- in the last few months has cycled through being obsessed with first lion king, then Cars, then Peter Pan, then Nemo, then Mulan and the land before time. And when I say obsessed I mean he will watch the movie and as soon as it's over says 'again?'. The kid would watch movies/TV all day long if I let him.

- does a look away/eye roll and we all laugh so hard 

- loves reading books but usually just likes to turn the pages quickly and move on to the next book.

- best friends and worst enemies with Polly

- loves putting anything in to cracks or shoving them behind something

- loves cars, 

- possessive of mom's things like the diaper bag, phone, the remote control... They are Moms and no one else not even dad can hold them.

- loves rolling balls off the edges of things

- still has binky and mr frog. Supposed to be only when in his crib, but mom can be a push over at times

- has added some new vocabulary: alligator, cooper, cole, Blake, nammy, papa's house, treat, sucker, calls a slide a 'weee' , calls Polly 'Bubby', says oh nooo, daddy get you, bye bye, more, apple, baby, milk usually followed by water, bath, go dog go, bicycle, truck, tree, big, circle, triangle, yellow, and much more... We are shocked when he suddenly says news things every day.

- throws everything! Loves rocks and cars.

- doesn't quite grasp the whole "baby sister" concept but points to his tummy and moms tummy when asked where she is.

- picky eater and makes a "cuck" gross out sound when we try to get him to try something 

- does really well in nursery and doesn't cry at all anymore. The first 6 weeks were tough

- has mastered the fake whine/cry

- takes one 2 hr nap and has been staying up later (8-8:30) at night. 

- says "yay big boy" after he throws mr and binky into his crib

- turns off the lights for bedtime

- obsessed with taking "bass" (baths) but HATES soap, bubbles or water on his head. He usually flails his arms and legs trying to soak mom/dad as much as possible when he has to get washed.

- loves to be held rather than walk by himself.

- loves playing with the choo choo at Barnes and Noble

- folds his arms for prayers but doesn't yet help us say them

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18 Months

- first word was "ya" . Said ya to just about everything all the time. Much better than no.

- runs everywhere and when he gets going really fast he pulls one arm/shoulder in across his body and starts leaning

- still being an early riser. 6:30-7 every morning

- pickiest eater ever and won't try new things. His diet consists of yogurt, applesauce, cheese, fruit, occasional PB&J , chocolate milk, muffins and eggo waffles. 

- loves suckers and fruit snacks 

- has all of his teeth except his 2yr molars 

- knows the animals noises of a lion, horse, dog, cat, duck, snake, rooster, cow, fish and says elephant!

- obsessed with Mickey Mouse clubhouse and we watch the same recorded episodes multiple times a day

- started enjoying Lion King especially the 'circle of life' scene where all the animals gather and sings along during 'cant wait to be king'

- calls Mickey Mouse "doe-doe" and locates him all over (on his diaper, on random items in the grocery store and the symbol for Disney on movies and TV)

- uses mr. Frog as a weapon sometimes and whips mom in the face.

- does a happy run/ craziness when dad or mom gets home from work, or when we facetime family

- does a squinty face back if you do it first

- still loves being outside and is a swimming dare devil 

- clingy and a momma's boy. Knows when he is being taken somewhere for babysitting and grabs on tight to mom

- started plugging his ears for fun

- says: hot, ya, yummy, yay, no, mama, dada, elephant, bubbles, night-night, fish, papa, apple, ouch

- is throwing everything these days... Rocks, toys, food etc. and even does a cock back threat when he's mad

- started hitting when he's mad at someone and regularly hits mom and jumps on her.

- says "ahhh" and then runs and falls on mom and dad.

- knows where his eyes, ears, mouth, tongue, teeth, hair, nose, tummy, toes, knees, belly button, hands

- whispers "pee pee on the potty" with a lot of just 'ppp' sounds because mom never has any privacy

- grabs your fingers and pulls you to what and where he wants to go.

- is very tender hearted and if you fake cry or act hurt he starts to cry

- gives kisses and sometimes it's just a head lean in

- knows how to throw garbage away

- likes to tease and trick you when you are "quizzing" him with "where's a ____?" game.

- has been taking a single one hour nap during the day. Likes to cuddle with mom in the rocking chair and get his hair and back tickled.

- plays with the bowls under the counter.

- still loves mr frog and playing with his feet and flipping his hand in his

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11-12 months

- obsessed with the toilet. Mom has to be sure it always has its lid down
- loves bath time and running water
- LOVES. His cousin Polly. They smile and squeal in excitement when they see each other
- has begun eating mostly all "real" food. Especially loves string cheese, toast, banana's. takes the BIGGEST bites!
- waves, gives open mouth kisses
- wakes up between 6:30-7 every morning
- loves mr. Frog and chews on his hands
- still in rear facing carseat
- still grabs toes when getting diaper changed
- pounds on things when excited.
- started a silly head shake that gets us all to laugh
- dances- more like bouncing and jumping
- when food drops on his tray he automatically rubs his finger in it
- transitioning to sippy cups but still loves the bottle
- got two trims during this month. Trying to keep his hair under control
- gettin chubby belly and cheeks
- can stand but doesn't. Is a scaredy cat and always needs a hand on something for moral support. Has stood for 1 Minute on his own.
- bangs his head on everything including the cement driveway, couch, floor, walls.
- points at airplanes and says "wooosh"
- obsessed with peek a boo in nami's curtains.
- I love when he crawls holding a ball or something
- still hates getting dressed
- loves books and turning the pages himself
- can watch an entire 25 minute baby einstein if in the right mood.
- enjoys being tickled on his back and neck
- claps when done singing and likes itsy bitsy spider the best
- squeals and shouts for attention. We are unsuccessfully trying to get him to stop.
- likes to ruffle people's lips to make the silly noise

My sweet, not so baby, baby,
The most incredible year of my life has flown by. This past month you have grown so much. I love seeing your new tricks and watching how much you learn. I get pride in seeing you learn to stick out your tongue, give kisses and dance on command. You are the sweetest little boy! I am still easily your favorite and you are the biggest mama's boy. You are resistant to let anyone else hold you and cry when I give you to someone else. In a way it is endearing. I know someday you won't be so clingy so I rather choose to love and embrace your attachment. The other day when i picked you up from your aunt kasey's house after work the first thing you did was reach up and lean in with a wide open mouth and gave me a kiss. My heart melted in that moment! Your big brown eyes and chubby cheeks have a way with me. You aren't interested in standing or walking alone yet but i know when you decide you will. I like it because it makes me feel like you are still a baby and not a toddler yet.
We learned that smaller intimate settings are where you shine. You are smiley and happy when in a familiar place and enjoy being the center of attention at home at papa and nami's house. You like to feel comfortable and it takes you a minute to warm up to people. Except at church... You love standing and lookin back and flirting with all the people looking at you. I don't blame them. You are the most handsome baby around.
I am so grateful to your father in heaven for sending you to be a part of our family! You are the best. I love knowing that you are mine and I'm yours! Being a mother is absolutely incredible and I hope you know how precious you really are. You have imprinted on my heart and changed me forever! Being the first child you have that special place in my life a the one who changed me for the better! I want to give you and teach you everything you need. You make it easy to love you! I can't believe you are one. It makes me cry looking back at how fast you grew and changed but am excited to watch your personality develop. You will always be my baby boy and I am so in love with you! I always will be. Be good, be happy and know you are loved.
With all my heart,
Your mama

10-11 months

- got sick for a few weeks and therefore had a fussy, clingy month
- sounds like he says "hi" but I don't quite believe my baby could intentionally talk yet
- loves climbing the stairs and squeals if you chase him up them
- has become quite the little pincher and it hurts
- plays with his cousins and loves being over at his aunt kasey's house
- is obsessed with the iPad and watching baby Einstein and baby first TV
- cant make it through church anymore needs to go home for a nap
- loves being outside and eating anything from grass to rocks
- loves the tub and laughs at himself in the reflection in the drain
- ruffles his lips with his fingers to make raspberries
- has big top teeth like his dad: 4up top and two middle on bottom
- is a picky eater and only eats fruits
- can stand by himself but is so cautious and scared that he refuses and squats immediately
- if you tickle him he puts his face in the ground
- doesn't really like solid textures, or anything that isn't fruit. I may have a picky eater
- loves getting his back and arms and legs tickled softly
- learned to throw a ball (as good as an 11 month old could)
- hates getting dressed
- still loves spinning things
- points to airplanes and fans and makes the "shhhhwwwhh" sound as the go


My sweet baby,
You've had a rough last few weeks of being sick and its broken my heart not to have my happy giggly little boy. But it has also made the good days even sweeter. Some of my favorite parts of the day are bath time because you love it and soak me with all your splashing! You have spent so much time with your Nami and Papa. They love you dearly and you know them so well. You still love being outside and taking walks. Papa once walked with you for over an hour because you fell asleep and he didn't want to wake you up. You have the biggest alligator tears and always have. Your little squeal when I chase you is the best sound. You have the cutest chicken legs and so I purposefully leave your pants off! You finally acknowledged the songs we sing and you love itsy bitsy spider and move your little fingers along with me as I sing. I tried to discipline you because you pinch hard and I told you no and ouch and grabbed your hand sternly and you laughed in my face. I couldn't believe it. You definitely are used to being the center of attention and like to look around when you enter a room to make sure everyone acknowledges you. You still have the sweetest face and are the most handsome baby I've laid eyes on. I'm in awe at how much you mean to me. I hope you'll always think of me as your best friend because these days I am definitely who you want to be around. You are my world and I love you more than ever!
All my heart,
Your mama