18 months and growing!

Last week Wednesday Matthew officially turned 18 months old, crazy I know! His well child appointment was today in which he was declared a healthy and growing little man.

Matthew's 18 months stats:

weight: 24.12 lbs (35%)

height: 33 1/2 in. (82%)

head circumference: 47.4 cm (38%)

Joshua's 18 month stats:

weight: 23.10 lbs (25%)

height: 31.5 (25%)

head circumference 47.6 cm

The predictable trend of outweighing and outgrowing his big brother is continuing, except in that same ol' area of head circumference. I'm afraid at some point Matthew is going to be bigger than Joshua and then we are going to have some real issues!

What describes Matthew at this point in his development . . .

~He's a ball of energy who leaves a wake of destruction wherever he goes these days, which means lots of clean-up for the rest of us. We are trying to teach him the skill of picking up, but it seems he's always a lot more interested in making the mess than picking it up.

~Climbing on everything and getting into mischief is the name of the game. If it's out of the little stinker's reach than he just finds a stool to help him climb to whatever he's after.

~A constant mover and shaker. Sitting and focusing isn't something he does. However, at bedtime it is the one time he will sit and listen to stories.

~The child understands just about everything we say these days. He follows directions, but only when he wants to. He also understands when he is naughty - he still gets a kick out of doing something he's not supposed to while he looks at you, smiles and/or laughs. In the past week he has started hitting, sometimes just to see what we will do, so the good ol' time out stool is being introduced.

~His language is developing a whole lot faster than Joshua's did at this age, but I'm still keeping a close eye on it. He can say fish (ish), book, boo, ball, uh-oh, mama, dada, snake (sss), cracker, kitty, dog, uh-uh (for no), duck (guck), bye bye, hi, poo (for Pooh Bear),weee ooo weee oo (for an ambulance, police car or fire truck), yum (ummmm), yea (for yes) and nigh nigh. I did get him to repeat a two word utterance the other day too!

~Matthew loves to run around outside, kick and throw balls. It's gonna be a long winter being for him being cooped up in the house.

~Loves to be around "big" kids! Thank goodness there are so many around for him to play with and admire. He gets a kick out of trying to do whatever the "big" kids are doing.

~We are seeing more independence when it comes to play these days for Matthew. The combination of his development and being without Joshua the days he has school is helping Matthew learn the skills of independent play.

~Surprisingly gave up the pacifier without a fight. After returning from our last camping trip we took Matthew's pacifier away for good (he had only had it in his bed for nap and nighttime since he was 9 months old). Thankfully he still goes down for naps and bedtime very easily!

~We are amazed as we literally see the gears turning in his head as Matthew is constantly trying to figure things out. The smarty pants can see something happen just once and will try to mimic it. This summer after watching Cory put the jacks up and down on the trailer a time or two Matthew would get the correct tool out and try to do it just like daddy!

~The baby is fading daily and a little someone has become a toddler complete with having some impressive temper tantrums already (man can this little guy scream). Let's just say the 2's might be a bit more than terrible so we are trying to prepare ourselves.

~Full of personality probably describes Matthew best right now. His facial expressions, the things he does, the way he does things just crack us up! The kid sure keeps us laughing!

Matthew runs us ragged most days with his endless energy and mischievous ways but we love him beyond words and are thankful our family has been blessed with him!