18 months

A few days late, but happy half birthday, Boo. 

You continue to amaze us as you learn and grow each day. You are coming in consistently at 75% height and weight and still have a 95% head (big head, big brains!). Thankfully you have been in the same wardrobe for the past few months (especially considering that it's still winter in May!). We can't wait for warmer weather so we can see more of your precious little thighs in cute toddler shorts.

You have realized that you can reach doorknobs but most of them in our house don't do anything. We either have doors that are impossible to open/close with a combination of lift, pull, wiggle and shut, or door knobs that are just for show. Our closets are no longer safe from you! A new stepstool allows you full view of the kitchen counters and gets you one foot closer to grabbing bananas for yourself. I loved having your help baking cookies the other afternoon.

You are still our big eater, eating like we are all told to...breakfast like a King, lunch like a Prince and dinner like a pauper.  You try to get your hands on every little piece of fruit you can find in the house but we have managed to slip in a few red and orange peppers; still nothing green gets by you. You eat hummus by the handful (literally), chicken nuggets and all things dairy. You like buns without the hotdog and finally tried mac and cheese last week.  Juice is not your thing but you do have an affinity for sweets when we allow you a treat.  We're trying to convince you that using a spoon is your best bet, but in the meantime you learned how to use a napkin which has spared us some mess. I also taught you how to cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze, which will hopefully keep my face cleaner

 You are our sweet child, still very cautious about most things and you are still momma's boy. You realized that we left you last week and since then have not left my side. I know I should be grateful for these moments but I am really craving some independence for you right now.  You have also been cutting your final two teeth (bottom K9s) for the last 2-3 weeks which I know must be painful so we've allowed a little extra paci time and given you plenty of snuggles. I love how you will be playing with toys and then suddenly come over to give me a hug and walk back to your toys. Will you do this when you are 12? 17? 27? You are not a big risk taker, which makes me happy as I have already had about 50 mini-heart attacks from the sudden movements you have made that have/almost ended up in injuries.   You fully assess a situation, look for my response and then occasionally try it, so I'm trying to back out of the picture more and watch what you'll do on your own. You still seem to be very cautious. 

 If given a choice, you would spend every waking moment outside, walking up and down our sidewalks, looking at planes, trucks and cars and searching for pinecones.  We love chasing bubbles, taking Link for runs and going to the Pirate Park to play with mulch and go down the slide.  

Swimming lessons at the Y were a huge hit, and you are fairly proficient with kicking, blowing bubbles and sliding off the edge of the pool on your belly. Being on your back is your least favorite position, both in the pool and for diaper changes, and you protest large and loud! 

You love going to church nursery, seeing your grandparents, petting Lincoln each morning, throwing away trash in the outside cans and watering your tomato plant.  You love being tickled, reading books, playing with cars and walking up and down ramps. You love water from the bathtub spout and the watering hose. You prefer to be clean vs. messy. You still rub your hair when you are tired and start it immediately after we give you the paci for bedtime.  You are a belly sleeper with your butt in the air, usually legs crossed indian style beneath you (looks uncomfortable!). You are crazy over all things that move in the air, water and land.  You love classical music and make quite a good conductor. When asked to 'give mom a kiss' you turn your cheek towards me, and you give us the best hugs around the neck.  You have a few words, finally: ball, duck and dada. More are coming, all starting with 'b': bus, banana, berries, bear. We can't wait to hear you talk more so we can know what is going on in that cute little head of yours! 

Here are some shots from our two attempts at a 18 month old photo shoot...you were not having it so we had to recruit daddy the next day. As you can see, you have developed quite the sense of what you want and when you want it and you are sure to let us know when you are not happy with the current situation.  Don't worry, we still love you even when you are having knock down, thrash around, yell and scream tantrums multiple times a day :) You are still our sweet little boo and you are just learning

We thank God for you every day, Jackson. We pray that you will grow to be a kind, strong, God-fearing man and we are grateful for the chance to parent you on your journey.