18 months!

Hand hand fingers thumb.

One thumb one thumb drumming on a drum.

One hand two hands drumming on a drum.

Dum ditty Dum ditty Dum Dum Dum!

- Al Perkins



Dear Mr. Gobbles,

My little boy. You have become such a big boy so quickly I could cry. You've developed quite a little personality and can express to anyone exactly what you want. I can't think of a word you can't say, because you repeat everything that comes out of my mouth, good and bad. You are a shy little boy when you meet new adults, giving them a sheepish smile until they look back at you, then you bury your head on my shoulder and peek out with the same smile. By the time they leave the room you are telling them byebye and blowing them kisses.

With other kids, it's another story. You're still pretty shy, but you are immediately taken by them and will stand there and watch them play. If the child is bigger than you and invites you in, it still takes you a little time to warm up before letting loose and playing. If the child is smaller, you seem to be the one to initiate playtime. Either way, you are a little cautious and like to read the situation first before deciding what move to make. I feel like you may be more like me in this department, uncomfortable with strangers, but then ready and yearning to socialize when you know the people.

Because when you're comfortable, boy oh boy are you a fun guy! You've turned our couch into a jungle gym. We line up the pillows on the floor because you like to climb up and slide off, over and over again. You chase the puppies around, shove their toys in their faces, and hug and kiss them. You've started to "jump" and crack up when mommy and daddy jump too. At daycare, after returning from a weeklong vacation, one of your little girlfriends ran up to you so excited, Gobbbbas! she screamed. You started laughing and dancing and pointing to her Yaayaaaaaaaaa! (Laila). And you two began some sort of greeting ritual which looked kinda like a dance-off.

During our trip to Hilton Head, there was a stage with a children's singer on the boardwalk. He invited all the kids up on stage to listen to him. You were more interested in the handicap ramp at the back of the stage and spent the entire show running UP and DOWN the ramp with another little girl, cracking up as the two of you kept almost crashing into each other.

On the beach, you fearlessly took on the ocean and laughed every time a wave came crashing on you. You were suddenly shy when a little girl approached you and started splashing around. She spend a good 15 minutes trying to get you to play, and then when her mom said it was time to go you finally decided you wanted in. Sometimes you gotta come outta your shell a little sooner buds.

It's ok though, because you still had the time of your life. You liked the pool even more than the beach. Forget the kiddie pool - you were bored 5 minutes in. You kept looking over my shoulder and pointing to the big pool. So in we went. You loved jumping off the side into my arms. You'd love even more to go under water, but I wouldn't let you. I'm so mean. But Gobbles, I kept trying to show you, if you want your face in the water you have to blow bubbles. Instead you tried to drink it. We'll have to get swim lessons sometime soon!

The thing you loved most about Hilton Head was spending time with your Mommy and Daddy. We were pals all week, and we were proud to walk around the resort with the cutest little guy there. Even though you got sick for a few days, spending time with you was all that mattered. Unfortunately, we may have rubbed you the wrong way because by the end of the week you started to have a little attitude, which you've carried back home.

You have begun to verbalize No. You narrow your eyes and look right at me No, mommy, no. When I ask you if you're like to play with this or that no, no! Oh my goodness. And then, the other night, Daddy told me you guys were hanging out and Spoons jumped up on the couch to snuggle. He said you pushed her off the couch and said Go Away! Buddy, as cute as it may be in my head that you have sibling rivalry with the dogs, we won't stand for it. Because I know it's just going to get more challanging. Terrible twos here we are!

My little Gobbles, despite the fact that you are growing so quickly (34 1/2 inches tall - 99th percentile!), you'll always be my little boy and Mommy loves you with every fiber of her being.  Instead of saying No! all the time, just look at me and give me kisses like you love to to and tell me Aye yay yaaa Mommy (I love you Mommy) because you know that gets you the biggest hugs in the world!

Happy 18 months little boy.

Love,

Mommy

ps.  now for a random assortment of Mommy's phone pics.  Since the rest of the vacation pics are up on facebook, no need to copy them all twice!

i know exactly where to dump that sand!



give me a sqirt bottle and some water and I'm entertained for hours minutes!



no mommy no!  i do NOT want to walk by myself!

All eyes on ME in the backseat!

will ya put that camera away?

haha i agree it's very fun that i stole daddy's chair!



how humiliating!  just because my suit was soaked doesn't mean you had to put me in the carseat nekked!  This swim diaper makes my thighs look chunky!



this dog is so much easier to walk than my pups!

chillaxin on daddy's shoulders. lovin life!

who's idea was it to take me on a 12 hour car ride?  i'll give you a smile for a few minutes, but the other 11 hours.  i'll make sure you never to this to me again!

sitting in a carseat ALL.DAY.LONG.  makes me so hungry i can polish off more pizza than mommy!