Drew // 18 Months

Dear Drew -

Wow. 18 Months. I don't even know where to begin this blog other than to say Wow. I feel like I was just posting your 6 month pictures and now you are already a year and a half! You have really changed so much since you turned a year and it's fun to watch you grow. Although you are still an overall mellow toddler, you are definitely more curious about the world around you and finding stuff to get into. I love the looks you give us when you find something new to play in that you aren't sure is allowed or how upset you get when there is an extra sock or dryer sheet floating around in your crib. You are our little organized child who still loves to push things around like your laundry basket, chairs or our ottoman.

Ever since you were itty bitty, you've loved animals. I think it started with our dogs, but since then it has turned into a deep love where you squeal with delight upon seeing any animal now. Going to the zoo will be a regular outing with you which makes me super happy. I can't even count how many animal sounds you make, but it's the gestures that warm our hearts. When you make an elephant nose with your hand or thump your chest like a gorilla it's simply adorable.

Right now your appetite is really good. You will try almost anything and you make the cutest face when something is cold or tart. You love your milk and water and have enjoyed a few sips of our pops and milkshakes from time to time. You are a carb kid, though, just like mommy. If there is bread or crackers around, you'll munch on those forever. Overall you are pretty good with fruits and veggies and you get upset if there is watermelon in sight and you aren't eating it.

You still have a full mouth of teeth except for your second molars which we're expecting soon based on how early your other teeth all were. I still bet that you could fill up a gallon container with slobber each day as it still runs out non-stop, especially when you are self-soothing your gums with your hands. I'll take slobber any day over sickness! Knock on wood, but you have been healthy for a couple months now which is a record! This leads me to sleeping where I still feel blessed. You go to sleep anywhere from 8-9 and wake anywhere from 7-8 each morning. Your naps at school can be only an hour to 1.5 hours, but at home they are generally 1.5 - 2.5 hours. I do miss your 4 hour naps!!

What amazes me the most in the last few weeks is how much you are jibber jabbering! Your inflection and tone perfectly mimics that of an adult and your sentences are so funny to try and figure out. You seem to have complete conversations with us in your own language and it's crazy how much you 'talk' now. You have been repeating almost all of the words we ask you too and soaking up more and more each day. The funniest one is when we ask where your 'tush' is during naked baby time and you point to your bottom. :)

We couldn't have asked for a better addition to our family and I'm so excited for this next 6 months with you. I love you with all of my heart, deeper than you'll ever know.

- Mommy