18-Months Old

So, I am VERY late on getting this particular post up! We've had a rough go recently. Poor Eric was very, very sick...it was really scary. After a week of being ill, a trip to the ER, a week off of work, and a round of very strong antibiotics, he seems to finally be on the mend. The doctor thinks it was a bacterial infection from either eating bad food or drinking bad water. Whatever it was, it made for a hectic time for us!

But, back on topic...my baby is 18-Months old! I took it very well...no tears, just a fun day for us! Yard sales, a nap, and hiking was how we celebrated the big day! We even got him a little gift of a t-ball set! I can't believe it's been a year and a half since he was born. At the time it felt like slow motion, but in the same token it's gone by so quickly!

Having an 18-month old is WILD! And SO MUCH FUN! Samuel has really came into his own, and has quite the personality. He knows what he wants, and can be a little bit on the stubborn side when he wants it! We've weathered a few temper tantrums, but nothing we can't handle!

Samuel got his sixth tooth this month as well! The biting has almost stopped. Instead he's using those teeth to EAT! He's really started enjoying table foods more...and wants ANYTHING and EVERYTHING we have. Samuel also loves to drink from our glass...forget sippy cups! He has a weakness for chips...which he gets only after he eats his other foods! This is a picture of Samuel's typical lunch: Vegan Grilled Cheese, fresh strawberry's, and his beloved "chippys."

We are still learning about milk allergies, but it is much more manageable than what I originally thoughts and have found a lot of alternatives for Samuel. We keep both goats milk and soy milk on hand, vegan cheese, and sorbet to replace ice cream. It's a small lifestyle change, but not too hard!

Samuel is much more interactive with us as well! He loves for us to sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. He knows almost all the signs that go with them as well! It's so cute to watch him do the movements when we aren't even singing the songs!

Samuel is still not a big talker, but is continuing to add to his vocabulary a little bit at a time. His new word is Bull because there is a Chicago Bull painted in the playroom from Eric's childhood! He loves to point at it and say bull. Samuel is also getting very good at sign language to help communicate. It has been a huge help to know when he wants something! Here he is asking to play more (I mean when someone asks if you want to go inside or play more, who would say go inside???).
We had our 18-month well check a couple weeks ago. Samuel is growing like a weed! He is 33 inches tall and in the 90Th percentile for height (when you take a look at shorts or pants, he should technically be in a size 3T for height, but he's still wearing 12-18 month shorts because of his weight! They are just a little short on him!). He is 25.4 pounds and in the 50Th percentile for weight. And his head size is off the chart! I just bought him a size 4T hat!!! He can wear some of Eric's winter beanies! Oh well, the doctors said big head means more room for the brain to grow :0)

Samuel has stopped being difficult with diaper changes, bath time, and the high chair. Glad those battles are over. But we've gone back to not sleeping great. We can only think that the new teeth are the problem...oh well, one day this will pass as well!

Samuel's current favorites are: Anything Dora or Diego, coloring with markers, playing outside, his sand box, blowing bubbles, going down sliding boards, hiking, pushing his lawn mower, and "reading" his books to me. He also LOVES to help me. On cleaning day I can give him the swiffer and he drags it all over the house...it actually does help. He will also bring me laundry (one piece at a time...but still!). Though we did have a "situation" a few weeks ago in which a few pieces of laundry went missing...found later when I noticed things were a little on the quiet side. I found Samuel in the bathroom with the laundry in the toilet and him trying to flush!!! Thankfully he can't push the flusher down all the way yet! Very valuable lesson learned: When things get quiet...watch out!

We've also started weaning. It's been a slow process, but we are getting there!!! I'm so glad I've been able to nurse this long! Especially since we didn't know for so long that Samuel had a milk allergy! Will I miss nursing...probably. It's our special time together, and Samuel still loves it. If you ask him if he wants to nurse he says, Yes and runs to get the boppy. It's been a hard transition for him, but one that is necessary!

Having an 18-month old is just amazing. It's been such a great month and I've really enjoyed watching Samuel play independently, give hugs when we ask, and communicate with us what he wants or feels! Samuel is just such an awesome little guy...and loved by so many people! He has been such a blessing for everyone!!!