18-19 Months

In all of the excitement over Branner's half birthday, I never did an official 18 month post. So, here I am a month later combining it with month 19...

Likes: Building things and knocking them down, climbing on anything and everything, blocks, tractors, cars, trucks, dancing, "singing", coloring, weekly family breakfasts at Phil's Deli, his new truck/tractor book, Elmo ("EL-do" in Branner-speak), Yo Gabba Gabba, baths, bedtime stories--especially Goodnight, Moon and Jamberry, trips to the pool, riding on his Scoot-n-Zoom, "driving" his Cozy Coupe in the neighborhood, playing with Uncle Joe, bike rides, walks, trains, giving hugs and kisses, loving on Bailey and Chloe.

Dislikes: Not getting his way, waiting his turn and being told "no." Both of these things happening tend to lead to meltdowns.

New Foods: Trader Joe's mini-pizzas, eggplant casserole (?!), apple slices, smoothies, homemade sweet potato fries, whole wheat bagels and cream cheese, strawberry pops, Earth Fare chocolate chip cookies, cherry tomatoes.

One and a Half Years: A Pictorial Review

Top to bottom: Newborn, Nine Weeks, Six Months, Nine Months, One Year, Fifteen Months, Eighteen Months. From Baby to Big Boy. Love.

A Few of My Favorites...

18 Month Pictures

In case you're interested, Branner's 18 month pics can be viewed here. Considering the mud incident and tantrum throwing involved, I think they turned out nice!

I have professional pictures documenting a public outburst. How real can you get?!

Also, after using about half of a bottle of Shout, a Clorox pen and almost 2 hours of my day, the outfit was salvaged. Now, I just need the mud to come out of my maxidress/peasant skirt...

Attempting 18 Month Pics

This morning, we met Angie from AC Studios at Latta Park for Branner's 18 month picture session. OOOHHHH, MY! What an interesting session we had! It started out great; B was playing in the park looking absolutely adorable in his (brand new) special outfit. Then, he noticed the sprayground and wanted to check it out. While exploring outside, he fell in a huge mud puddle and black, yucky mud got all over the butt of his jon-jon and all in his shoes. So, we changed him into his bathing suit and attempted to get a few more pics. We'll see how they turned out. Angie says there are a few good ones, and at this age, that is really all I hope for. We didn't get any family shots this time, unfortunately, but I'm just going to be happy with the shots we did get. Gotta roll with the punches when you have an almost 19-month-old!!!

18 Month Check-Up

We're just in from Branner's 18-month check-up! Luckily, this is the first time we have been back into our doctor's office since his 12-month well visit in January. The verdict? B is very healthy, very social, very expressive, very active and right on target.

Dr. Craig and I talked about all kinds of things from language development to eating habits to temper tantrums and eczema. He was impressed at how not shy B is. Apparently, 18 months is when most children act uncomfortable around strangers. Not our child. B has never met one! He loves new people! Dr. Craig also mentioned that his children, too, started tantrums early (around 14 months in B's case). He said that this may be B's most difficult stage; that children who act out early have a tendency to be easier as time goes on. Hmmm, I hope he's right! Not that B is terrible, but he can be difficult.

His 18 month stats are as follows:

• Height: 31 inches (25th percentile)
• Weight: 23 lbs (20th percentile)

Looks like his exceptionally tall height and high weight at birth have evened out. I knew he wasn't going to be huge. I mean, look at Barry and I! 

Hopefully, we won't have to go back too many times to the doctor between now and January! Happy Tuesday, everyone!