18 months

Eighteen months, is a bit of a milestone in my opinion. Mills will have been with us for two years, in just six short months. Time, slow down! Everyone told me of just how fast the time would go, but I don't think that "fast" is the word. It is hard to believe that our baby is running around, talking and learning new things every day. He is such a busy little boy. As a matter of fact, we have been told a number of times, that Mills is the busiest little boy they've ever seen. So, don't dare ask me why I'm so tired most of the time. Mills is getting more and more fun by the day, and the new things he does are so exciting for us.

Here is a picture of our little boy this morning before church. The weather is much nicer and so he decided that it would be better to run out of the garage like a mad-man, sit in the grass, and do a quick roll, instead of getting in the car seat. Forget a nicely pressed collar! Oh well...

Happy 18 months Millso!

Mills, here is what you're up to at your 18th month:

• New words: bubble, EAT!, down, keys, monkey, love you, hot, thank you, uh-oh!, light, where it go?, easy, up, "Dusty!" (the saw on Handy Manny), chicken "chitchen", yellow, red, green, blue, and peek-a-boo "eeek-a-boo." I'm not sure if you really know your colors, but you pointed to your school bus and said "yellow." Time will tell. This week you started saying cookie. It sounds more like ka-ka, but regardless, it's "cookie."
  


• You can now climb on anything, as you get stronger everyday. I have to keep you off the coffee table. For some reason you think it's a dancing stage. Not good.
  


• You have had your second haircut. You don't like it, but we can't have you sporting a mullet. Sorry, but the back of your hair grows extremely fast.
  


• You have turned into a "Mommy's boy. Even when you've been at Mimi's all day and I pick you up, take you home to see your daddy, you want your mama. I hear that this will eventually dwindle away and you will think your daddy does all of the cool stuff.


• You have started hiding behind mommy's curtains in the living room, of course, I have to tell you "no" in fear that you'll grab them and rip them off of the drapery hooks. Boys!


• You are so observant. Now I know why people tell us to be careful with what we say and do. You pretend to talk on the phone, read a book, and just last week I caught you with your keys trying to stick them in the door knob. You also, tried to "fix" the drawer pull on mommy's library table drawer with your "Turner" (flat head screwdriver from Handy Manny's toolbox) even thought here are no screws in them. Very smart of you though! You also attempt to feed Joey. You manage to get a few pieces of food in his scoop, and some of them actually make it to his food bowl. A funny: after you take a drink of something, you look at us, smile, and say, "aaaahhh," as if its really refreshing!
  
• You recognize sports on TV. No matter if it is golf, football, or basketball, you always shout, "GO!" Just this past week while you were eating supper, mommy had the TV on as the Super Bowl was starting, you saw the players during the coin toss and yelled, "GO!...GO!....G......O!" I don't know how you knew how to spell "go," but you did, and I was shocked!


• You are starting to experience the world of crayons. You can scribble like a pro, but get bored with them after a few minutes. You use your right hand...thank goodness! Mommy doesn't want you to experience this right-handed world as a left-handed little boy like she does. It is not easy.
  
• Your favorite shows: Little Einsteins- you love to "pat pat pat pat" on your legs as I take you to Mimi's in the morning. Handy Manny- you are all about Handy Manny and love your "talking toolbox." You are starting to watch a little bit of Sesame Street as well.
  
• Friendly! You don't meet a stranger, and make sure that you say, "HEY!" to everyone we see.
  
• You don't like: sitting still, being held, getting your diaper changed (because it requires you to be still), getting your fingernails clipped (because you have to be still, your prefer to try it yourself...yikes!)
  
• Teeth: we are still waiting on 6 more teeth until you get your 2 year molars in the fall. For some odd reason, your upper laterals still have not come in yet, but maybe soon.
  
• Finally, you moved to a size 5 diaper. You probably could still be in a four, but they were getting a little more snug than mommy would like.
  
• Favorite foods: green peas, carrots, (most all veggies) macaroni and cheese, any pasta, pizza, all fruits, chicken. You are not a very picky eater and express your like for foods in a very cute manner. Your new thing: "Ummmm....good!" Even when we are at the grocery store roaming the aisles, you point and say it. Too funny! You are also starting to eat with your fork and spoon. You do pretty well, then give up and go back to eating with your hands.
  
• Favorite books: Brown Bear, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Knuffle Bunny, well, all of them!
  
• Clothes: 18-24 months and still in size 4-5 shoe. You are pretty true to size with your clothes depending on the brand. I still prefer dressing you like a toddler, as I AM STILL NOT into the big boy look. I still frown at the thought of blue jeans and little man clothes and avoid them if at all possible. You do wear jeans and little khakis to Mimi's but they are not my favorite. I am enjoying this while I can, because one day, you will be too old for those little black and white saddle oxfords that I adore, smocked outfits, and one piece outfits all together. They go to a 5T, so it will be quite a few years. Ha! I don't know what I will do when you do out grow these, as I have seen today's fashions for boys and they are hideous! I haven't seen a thing I would dare put you in. Stop growing on me!
  
• You still like to go to bed around 7:30pm. I have tried pushing it back to 8:00, but you don't last. For some odd reason, you have been waking up earlier. I hope this returns to normal soon! No matter what time we put you to bed, you are waking up around 6:00 or 6:30. I don't like this, but I have no choice in the matter. Do I?
  
• When we say your goodnight prayers, you have learned to fold your hands. You listen to mommy and sometimes, you even say, "Amen."