18 Months

Dear E,

Today you are 18 months old. A whole year and a half into our lives. There's a lot to say about you. You are bubbling with personality, although you mostly reserve it for us folks at home. Lately, you've been kind enough to share your self with others. Like the the day when at your well check you decided to take off your diaper, grab your pee pee and run out of the doctors office to the reception desk to get a sticker with your big sister and brother. Dr. Barboza and I thought you were too cute- so we let you be. Your stats are: 31 inches long, 25.3 pounds, and a whopping 19 inch head. You have 16 pearly white teeth. Your light brown hair curls on the ends when it gets long enough.

You love, love, love your older siblings. Always have. Big brother especially can do no wrong in your eyes. He wrestles with you, chases you, shares everything with you, and dotes on and you. Big sister reads and sings to you. She can get you off your booster seat and brushes your hair before we leave the house.

Corn is your weakness. So are pretzels, strawberries, pizza, cream of wheat, waffles, tangerines, chicken, and milk. Yes, milk! You weaned on July 3rd and boy you did well. You were ready to be on your own and strictly a whole milk dude!

You LOVE water. The bath, the lake, the lagoon, the pool, & the water hose. Happy places. You jump in the pool, go under the water, and come up with a smile.

As far as speaking goes. You've always been good at saying your words. You've got all the basic ones down, mama, dada, Gus, dog, zebra, brah (brother), hot, agua, juice, bye- bye, and many more. You say thank you when needed and are starting to say your welcome. You have a little raspy voice with a sweet tone. You say, " all the time." The ending in, Moon Bear Loves the Moon. Books are your passion at nap and bed time. You crawl up into your big boy bed and wait for your bedtime stories. At each nap and bedtime I read you from 5-8 books. Your current favorites are, The Hungry Caterpillar, Happy Birthday Moon, Animals Shouldn't Wear Clothing, and The Red Book. I'm amazed you can sit and concentrate on the words and pictures.

You sing. When you putter around the house playing, I can hear you humming or singing a song that sometimes sounds like Twinkle, Twinkle. It makes my heart melt! Twinkle, Twinkle, The itsy bitsy spider, and This Old Man have been your favorites for a while. But, so has Boom Boom Pow by the BEP's- not a very kid friendly song. Never the less, you've loved it. It's a sure fire way to cheer you up on a long car drive. Your a pretty amazing dancer. The whole bounce, squat, and hands go vertically up an down. It's your signature move. You are practicing somersaults too!

You are a sweet boy. You are sure to give love to all of us. You give sweet besos and rub our heads at bed time. Rarely, do I see you hit your big siblings. But, for that matter I rarely see them frustrated with you. They do give up their toys to you if you want them though, because you have a pretty loud cry. You don't scream when you want things, but rather, whimper, "eh, eh, eh, eh, eh..." Until I can't take it anymore! And give in. Sometimes. You can be rather restless in bed. rolling over and over until content. Pushing me out of the way- if we are in the same bed. Like you are doing. Right. Now.

Your no teeth sweet grin is usually saved for when you do something you are content with or for strangers. Your screeched up face grin ins given to those you are comfortable with. Overall, you are a happy baby- except for when you are not. Then it's watch out world! some days you want me to hold you all day and other days you play with big brother and sister until you are needing your nap or food. You like to go to the fridge and say " num num' when you are ready to eat.

You give us lots of joy. You're teaching us patience, and tenderness. I love you E and happy half birthday!