18 months!

Parker Lee -

Where have the days gone sweet boy? You are a year and a half today! It seems like not long ago you were this little tiny baby who I got to snuggle all day and who could hardly hold his head up. Now . . . well here is what you are up to:

- Weigh about 25-26 pounds

- Are about 32 inches tall

- Wear a size 5 shoe, 18-24 month or 2T clothing, and a size 4 diaper

- You talk A LOT! You are saying a lot of 2 word phrases, and repeat pretty much everything we say. Words you use all the time: up, down, nigh-nigh (night night), Sparty, Bella, Snicky, Kitty, Momma, Daddy, Noni, Poppi, Gramma, Grammpa, pretty much every family and friends name we tell you and you remember bubble, guppies, Grooper (can you guess his fav show lately), Jessie, Buzzy, Woody (another fav), Baseball, bat, football, basketball, gofff (golf), goff cub, shoot, boom, all your favorite foods-snacks-drinks, I need more, sorry, yes please . . . A LOT of words buddy!!!!!! Our favorite words you use lately: love you, thank you, baby, brother, Hudson :)

- You started walking all the time about a week or two after you turned 14 months, and started running about a week later. You love to climb on everything right now and are so smart in figuring out how to climb higher by moving blocks, stools and chairs to get where you want to be. You love climbing in and out of your big boy bed, and marching around the house ("Hup! 2 - 3 - 2!" cutest thing). You love watching sports with daddy and love playing baseball, and I think love pitching the best (maybe you'll take after daddy).

- You love to color and amaze me with how well you hold a crayon or writing tool. You ask to color daily. We often will color at the table, outside with chalk, and in the bathtub in a day.

- You are still a BIG snuggler, and I know it will be a sad day for your momma when you stop doing this.

- You LOVE music. You love to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the ABC's "EFG" is what you repeat most of the time right now while singing the tune. You love busting a move when you hear music. You love doing Head Shoulders Knees and Toes and try so hard to keep up with the song every time.

- You know most of your body parts - eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, teeth, ears, hair, chin, belly, legs, arms, hands, feet, toes, knees - we are working on shoulders, neck, elbows and wrists.

- You love playing with other kids, and are working on sharing your toys. You share so nicely with the little baby doll we got you, and LOVE reading him a book or two and kissing him before bed each night. You even share your blankies and burpies with him, and pat his back. What a great big brother you will be to Hudson!

- You started at a new daycare this summer, and have been going once a week to keep in a bit of a routine and are also having a hard time not being around momma. I know that once I head back to work and am not home as much you'll adjust even better to me dropping you off, but you LOVE your new daycare and new friends - even more - Mommy and Daddy are much happier with our change.

- You have 8 teeth, and I think at least 2-4 more coming in . . . oh someday. They seem to move a lot for a week or two and then stop but I think at least two more molars are coming soon.

- You love making faces and make the funniest scared face ever, it cracks us up every time. You generally are a very happy boy, but sure can throw a tantrum.

- You started sleeping in your big boy bed almost a month ago now, and are doing SO well sleeping buddy! We are SO proud of you! You love our bed time routine and love picking out your books and climbing into bed all by yourself.

- You are SOOO smart! You love singing songs, reading, and learning new things. You are loving shapes right now, naming textures, and colors too. I think I am most amazed that you can tell us that N is for Noni, P is for Poppi and Parker, G is for Guppies, J is for Jessie, M is for Momma, D is for Daddy, B is for baseball, and a few more too. You notice letters on everything and ask to see if any of them are for words you know, and then remember them a few moments later by pointing them out. You are one smart little cookie!

- Eating habits these days, are that of a toddler. You still don't love veggies but have been a big fan of broccoli lately, and love to try eating cucumber. We can sneak veggies in things like soups, and caseroles and you'll eat them up. You love using a fork and spoon to eat, and are getting pretty good with them - spoons are harder still. You prefer big sized pieces of food to cut up pieces. You are such a big drinker too - love your morning milk or juice and we don't have to worry about you being hydrated.

- You tend to be hesitant with some new experiences and the feel of some things on your feet but are getting big at trying things again and again until you like them. You prefer fresh cut grass under your toes to dry grass, and prefer sandboxes with shoes on, but love running through a sprinkler after you see how fun it is. You are a total water boy and love sticking your face in it, drinking it, pouring it, splashing and splashing in it . . . so silly!

Parker, you are up to so many fun and exciting things, and we love watching you explore the world. We know that 6 months from now you'll be doing even different things and will have been a big brother for a few months. We know that you and Hudson will be buddies and that you'll help take care of him and play with him, and of course teach him how to throw a ball too. We love you so much and love watching your love for God and others grow too. We can't wait to see what the next few months teach you buddy!

And of course a few pictures to share of our little smarty ;)

Picking and reading a good book involves reading glasses of course.

Where does he come up with these things?!?!