Eighteen Months Old

You now run around faster than ever! As my belly grows...I slow down, and each day you speed up! Soon - I know - you will be able to outrun me. The fast forward motion has also increased the "OUCH!" factor around our house...Your vocabulary has gone from exploding to nuclear. You are like a little sponge just waiting to soak up words and concepts that "leak" out of your Dad and I. It is really amazing how fast your comprehension has developed in the past few weeks. You now refer to us as "Daddy" and "Mommy" more often than "Dada" and "Mama". Cooper is now "Perpur!" instead of just "dug" or "puppy". You also point to yourself and say "Eat-hin". You finally know your own name!

The warmer spring weather has come along with less playing inside. Demands of "uhside?" - ie "Lets go outside", and "perk?" or "sweeng?" - ie "Lets go to the park, or where the swings are" are common. It is great that you can finally start communicating what you really want now.

With this communication comes the assumption that you can get whatever you want as long as you ask for it in words; and the accompanying temper tantrums when you don't get what you asked for. You are getting harder and harder to "distract" with simple items when you start to kick up a fuss. We used to just re-direct you, or wave a new toy in front of you, but your determination is increasing and once you fixate on an item - LOOK OUT! Ahhh, independence...

It is awesome to see what kind of person you are becoming - even as a crazy toddler! You are starting to get manners, and now you give kisses - which melts our hearts, and you are still the funniest person we know. It must be hard being so emotionally unstable, but your highs and lows are really the best parts of our days, and we feel thankful to have you around - even when you turn into a cranky dictator!

Love always, Mama. XOXOX