Happy 18 Months Joe!

Joe is officially a year and a half old.

Weight - 22 lbs 12 oz (30th Percentile)

Height - 33" (72nd Percentile)

Head Circumference - 19 cm (75th Percentile)

 I'm actually really surprised he is only in the 30th percentile for weight because this kid can
eat SO much.  He'll polish off his meal and then finish whatever Owen didn't eat of his. 
They're actually opposites in how they eat.  Owen is a really light eater and pretty much
lives on fruit and milk.  Joe on the other hand eats a significant amount but steers clear of
most fruit and won't even touch milk.  In fact if I pour him a cup of milk and hand it to him, he
sternly tells me "no" without even taking a sip.  The only way I can get him to drink it is by
making him a smoothie every morning.  Fruit, Milk, yogurt, Spinach...check!  

At least it's a healthy start to his day.  :)

Favorite Foods - Pancakes, waffles, chex, pretzels, goldfish, Pirate Booty, cheese, hot dogs,
noodles, mac n cheese, chicken nuggets, french fries, strawberries, clementines

Aside from eating, the other thing Joe is great at is talking.  Ryan and I seriously can't get
over how smart this kid is!!  He is talking up a storm these days.  And not just single words
here or there, but stringing words together to make phrases.  "I want juice dada", "I want
down", "I want mama", "I have that" (meaning I want that), etc.  I am honestly impressed.
He'll try to mimic nearly any word you say to him, even tough ones...escalator, strawberry.
Sure they don't come out perfect, but he gets close and at least he tries.  He knows how to
communicate what he wants and when he needs help, which is really nice and saves us
from a lot of unnecessary headaches.  I learned with Owen that things got a lot easier when
he could tell me what he needed.  Joe is also so polite and says "Thank you", most times
without being prompted. Nearly every day he'll say something new that Ryan and I will just
look at each other in amazement like, "did he really just say what I think he said?"  
We're so proud of him and excited to watch all the new things he's learning.

Current words (it's hard because he says a lot, but here are a few of the ones he uses most) mama, dada, baby, puppy, help, have that, down, juice, smoothie, lovey "vava", 
Grandpa (sorry Grandma), no, want, Scout, thank you
 
Favorite Books - That's What Grandma's Do (book with Grandma's voice recorded), Barnyard Dance, Good Night Good Night Sleepyhead

One thing that is also developing much more is his personality.  It's funny because people
always say that he is so relaxed and calm, which he is in certain situations.  He goes with
the flow pretty easily and is happy to be anywhere as long as he's with his mama.  But there
is also a stubborn side to him that is unrelenting.  If he wants to do something, there is no
changing his mind.  He gets his mind focused and won't let up.  It seems this might be
a trait he shares with his mama.  Hopefully all that focus and determination 
will be one of his biggest strengths someday.  

He's also developed a feisty side to him.  Ryan and I kept joking that there was going to be
a day when Owen would have to watch himself because Joe would start fighting back.  Well
it looks like that day is here.  My days of cruising the aisles of Costco with the two boys
sitting side by side quietly eating samples are gone.  It normally takes a matter of minutes
before one or the other decides to haul off and hit the other one (most of the time just
playfully), and it turns into an all out war in the front of my shopping cart.

As much as they like to pick at each other though, it's clear they love each other just as
much.  When Joe is not climbing up stairs, playing in the toilet, trying to run into the road,
unplug cords, or doing any number of the other dangerous things he can't get enough of
these days, he's watching Owen's every move and trying to follow along.  One of his favorite
things to do is play peekaboo with Owen behind the play kitchen.  He thinks it is so
funny and laughs hysterically.  It's hilarious to watch.

Favorite Toys - Scout, his 2 babies (Cabbage patch and Glo-worm), 
vacuum (his play one and the real full size one)

All that playing can tire a little guy out.  He's still going strong with 2 naps a day and sleeps
about 11 hours per night.  He always sleeps with his lovey, and then we have a separate
lovey for in the car.  As soon as I put him in his car seat, he's either reaching or asking for his lovey "vava", his baby, Scout, or typically all three at once.  When he's not cuddling his lovey, his favorite person to cuddle is his mama.  He still has quite a soft spot for me.  He's
so sweet and is such a cuddle bug when he wants to be.  And whenever he snuggles his
little thumb still goes right in his mouth.  I know there will be a time when I'll be over it,
but for now I find it super cute.   

Hard to believe a year and a half is behind us already, but it's so fun watching Joe get older.
Seeing him and Owen begin to interact more is something we have been looking forward
to.  He's smart, sweet, super cute, and my favorite little 18 month old.