18 Months!!!

Wow. A year and a half. Wow. Time is FLYING but it also seems like C has been in our lives forever. We visited with my cousin and their 1-year old this past weekend and it really made me realize HOW MUCH they change from 1-year to 18 months. WOW.

At 18 months, Carson is:

-Signing "more" and "all done." I am working on "please" and "thank you." I just started, so it will probably be a while.
-Has started says "uh oh" and "away." He actually told Lucy to go away this morning. He's really starting to copy words when we say them but still doesn't say a whole lot that makes sense. I blame the whole '35% hearing loss' thing from this ears. He definitely tries to say a lot (babbles constantly) and has a couple animal sounds down pretty good (a monkey and elephant). Of course he says "MaMa" and "DaDad", but he says "duh" and "da" for duck and dog. Lots of animals are "da" though. He can say "NaNa", which I know she loves! He said "Dede" in the car, but wouldn't say it once we got to Dede's house.
-Has started shaking his head for "no" and will say "yeah" for yes. I'm working on "YES" with an "s"... "yeah" won't cut it around here once he's really talking. I'm suprised how opinionated he is though. He clearly knows what he wants or doesn't want sometimes. He actually sounds like a little Swedish (I think) boy and says "Da" for "yes" sometimes too. The way he says it is so cute. You definitely know he is saying "yes."
-He knows lots of body parts and will point to them on command - head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, knees, toes, feet, belly button (loves that one), and penis (yes, he has rediscovered it and so we are being medically correct.),
-Has more energy than I know what to do with sometimes.
-Loves to dance.
-Loves to pick flowers for his mommy (and daddy).
-Loves to climb
-Loves to swing
-Loves to be outside. Period. You want to see a tantrum, bring him inside when he's not ready to go inside.
-Sleeps like a champ at night (bedtime usually between 7-7:30, 8 at the latest) and takes a nap in the middle of the day from 1-2 hours. He usually wakes up around 7. If we didn't have to actually get him up then, he'd probably hang tight until 7:30 or 8.
-Loves his doggies and they are so good with him (minus a tail slap every now and then).
-Still is in love with his blanket from Jolee. She's making him a second one for school.
-Has all his teeth except his 2-year molars. I'm convinced they are on their way given the crazy amount of drool this kid produces. Oh, and the teeth grinding...
-Has been to the dentist already and got a good report. The dentist thinks it's still 50/50 on if his chipped tooth will make it.
-Has become defiant and occasionally loves to disobey. Loves to do something right after he's reprimanded with a smile on his face.
-We're entering into the disipline stage. We're still not sure on how to handle the whole discipline thing other than we know he needs it.
-Loves, loves, loves for his daddy to play guitar for him. I really need to learn so that when he's out of town, I can do more than just strum a 'G' chord over and over again.
-Likes to stand on anything and everything (including our new expensive Roomba). He likes ot be elevated.
-Is a wild man.
-Loves trucks, mini cars, books, blocks, his fridge magnets and ABC's toy, balls, Elmo (not on TV, just in books and his Rockin' Elmo), Yo Gabba Gabba (crack for kids I.M.O.), his big and little wagon, his trampoline.
-Likes to help me unload the dishwasher. This is great for my back!
-Has been seriously chowing down lately. He must be growing because he is eating a ton! He's gone through a few not-eating so well phases, and we are certainly not in one right now. He favorite foods are meat, especially sausage (but not hot dogs), broccoli, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, green beans (he went through a phase for a while where he stopped eating then, but we're back on track), dried fruit/raisins (which we learned the hard way REALLY breaks out his bottom), cheese, scrambled eggs, toast and either peanut butter or jelly, PB&J, those squeezable fruit/veggie packs, beans (especially black beans), pizza, and NutraGrain bars.
-He's getting pretty good with a fork (before he decides to either brush his hair with it or stick it in his ear).
-Teeth brushing is still NOT fun.
-Loves to try to balance books on his feet while getting his diaper changed. Not sure where he got this, but it's hilarious.
-Is probably around 30 pounds and 34"... my guess. We'll find out Thursday.
-Wears Size 4 diapers and mostly all 2T clothes.

A couple quick pics from Meme & Dede's house this past weekend.




WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH, CARSON!!! YOU ARE JUST PRECIOUS AND BRING SO MUCH JOY TO OUR FAMILY!!!