18 Months Old: 1 Year & 6 Months

Kamden is now a year and half old... 18 Months! I know it's so cliche to say how fast kids grow up, but that old saying is so true. I know I say that every day, but you really don't realize it to be true until you have a baby. Sometimes I catch myself staring at Kamden in a daze just soaking in the fact of how big he is getting! He hardly fits in my arms anymore when I hold him. When I rock him to sleep occasionally, his little legs are hanging over the chair. I'm starting to accept the fact that he is growing out of that "baby" stage and on to the "little kid" stage.

So many of my friends were pregnant around the same time as I was back in 2009. Almost all of them are now having their second babies, how exciting! In one way I couldn't imagine being pregnant again right now-- it seems like just yesterday. Really having your babies 2 years apart isn't that long when you think of it. But I can totally see why so many mothers get those "baby blues" when their little ones aren't so little anymore. I kind of get that feeling from time to time... wishing I could have another... but trust me, that will not be anytime soon!!! haha. We have so much going on between work, school, and everything else we barely have time for what we have on our plate now. I'm thinking more like another 2 or 3 years. Being a new parent has been extremely hard. Very challenging, but worth every lesson we have learned along the way. It has been tough, but at the same time also the biggest blessing and most

rewarding experience of our lives. Whenever the time is right, God will give us the sign that it is meant to expand our family. Until then, we are loving every minute of being together and building the memories that make us closer everyday.

We have seen the most development and milestones at this age, than any other before.

• Weighs 27.2 Pounds

• Diapers- size 5 (just switched over)

• Clothes-18 Months, some 24 Months (some are still big)

• Shoes- size 7 (still a little big, but has outgrown size 6)

• 14 Teeth... only has 2 more to go to have all of his "baby teeth"

• Loves to brush his own teeth, and laughs when we try to help him

• Not extremely picky with foods. Usually has the same thing we are having. His new favorites are Chinese (lo mein noodles) and French fries with ketchup. I know... not the healthiest, but he still gets his daily fruits and veggies.

• He doesn't like any kind of meats, he always spits them out. Will occasionally eat a few chicken nuggets, but that's it.

• Can eat by himself with no help. Uses his utensils very well (a little messy still, but getting better everyday)

• Drinks from a cup and also from a straw too

• No more bottle at bed time... thank goodness! Still gets one on an emergency basis (haha)

• Sleeps through the night... trying to stay up later (like around 9 or 10pm... but his bed time is at 8) He sleeps til about 8am.

• Has a vocabulary of 15-20 words and sounds: Momma, Daddy, Bye, Dog, Duck, What, Huh?, Hey, Aww, See, Yum-Yum, Yes, Go, Hot, Uh Oh, Car, Truck (the last two are his newest, he still has a hard time pronouncing them properly)

• Understands simple directions

• Walks fast, runs, and climbs up stairs

• His new nick name is: "Happy Feet" he taps, marches, and stomps his feet!!! He will go into the kitchen, and if you say "tap Kam" his little feet starts pitter-pattering.

• He loves to dance! Will shake and bob his head to just about any kind of music... even the Rug & Home commercials, haha

• Throws and catches a ball

• Points to his eyes, ears, nose, hair, toes, and feet

• Shows affection to everyone he knows by hugging and kissing (even his teddy bears)

• Loves his "babies" he has 3 favorite bears and 1 big monkey to love! They go everywhere he goes

• Can color with crayons a little bit... but prefers to eat them!

• Pretends to talk on the phone (has been for months now)

• Will sit and look at books and pretend to read... loves it when we read to him, but won't sit still for long

• Has a few temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way... we are working on this one, haha

• Could sit and stare out the window for hours... loves to watch the birds and animals!

With Kamden, there is something new every day. He definitely keeps our lives interesting and fulfilled. You can be having the worst day of your life, and the sound of his chuckling laugh will just melt your heart! He is also becoming more vocal, so are getting more thrilled to be able to communicate more clearly as well. Over the next few months we will shift our focus on potty training. Quite possibly the biggest challenge during the toddler years! Not sure if he's ready just yet, since he still thinks his potty is a four wheeler (he tries to ride it like a 4x4) haha. But, sometimes he wakes up pretty dry after sleeping through the night, so that will be our next adventure in the upcoming weeks!