Jack @ 18 Months!!!

little boy, you are 18 months old. good grief.

i feel like i repeat myself every month when i describe how much fun you are & how much i love you. but i just don't know of many new ways to talk about how wonderful you are to me. i just love to watch you grow & learn each month. you fascinate me, you are so determined but sweet spirited. i hope you realize, even at this young age, how much we love you & how much we LOVE being your parents. you are such a joy.

new things you've learned or done this past month:

*you can now sign the word "more" & you understand when to use it. i'm so proud.

* you can point to your head, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, teeth, hands, feet & tummy.

* you say "ball" pretty clearly

* you love to organize things. in the shower, you line up all the cups, bottles of shampoo & soap. you also love to put things where you think they go!

* you love to "help" me unload the dishwasher, cook & fold laundry. i love that you want to be with me all the time & so involved in what i'm doing. it blesses my heart.

* you go to your highchair & point when you are hungry & you bring us your cup when you want something to drink. you also walk to the door & beat on it when you want to go outside.

* you hate diaper changes!

* you run when i say "Jack, lets change clothes!" you want us to chase you all the time

* you run to the bathroom when we say "shower" or "bath"

* you love to listen to your music in the car. we have 2 cd's of kids songs & you just love them.

* you love to try & use an adult drinking cup. you understand the concept but sometimes they are too heavy for you!

* you try to give Jovie her paci when she is fussy

* you LOVE the tv show Yo Gabba Gabba. you get so excited when it comes on & it really holds your attention well

you are almost done cutting those 4 molars & man has that been a rough road for you. the bottom 2 are completely in & the top 2 are just about done. but they have made you cranky, frustrated, clingy & you hurt a lot. i hate it for you but i love the extra cuddles! you have definitely shown your independence & determination. you are stubborn & strong-willed but you have a very tender heart. sometimes, when we tell you no, you try to argue by grunting or just generally ignoring us & doing what you want. but, you are learning. you are very eager to please us & you always give love & affection.

you love Jovie so much. you are always kissing on her feet, hands, head & face. you constantly want to sit by her & whenever she cries, you make sure i know it! you are such a sweet big brother!

you are in a size 4 diaper & you wear 12-18 month clothes. (except for The Children's Place clothing, you wear a 6-9 month size in shirts there & a 12 month in pants! i think their clothes run huge!) you are in a size 5 shoe. you still love to have something to drink & your appetite has dropped off a little bit b/c of your teething. you take your lovie & sock monkey with you to bed every night. a ball is still your favorite toy & you love anything that makes noise. you love animals & when we make animal noises for you. your favorite place is outside. you would be out there all day long if you could. you are a true boy.

18 month stats:

weight: 23 lbs 6 oz

height: 30 1/2 inches

head: 42 cm

(you are in the 25% in each category)

happy 18 months, my love. you are an incredible joy & i love you more than you will ever know.