Will ~ 18 months

A couple of months late, but I still wanted to document our Baby Will at 18 months before I forget.  What a difference the last 3 months have made since the 15-month post.  In some ways, he almost seems like such a different kid.  For the majority of his first year, Wade & I were often saying how easy, happy, and laid-back of a baby he was.

Well he is definitely still happy and laid-back.  Although easy probably needs to be replaced now with busy.  This boy is all-caps BUSY.  Once he started crawling, and then when he started walking, he figured out that mobility is the best thing ever.  Not sure if he's stopped moving since.  As we hilariously attempted a family picture for the Christmas card, and Will did everything in his power to wiggle out of our arms and run around...I reminded myself this is just a short season...right?  :)

Those that see us with him at church, the park, or pretty much anywhere, usually see us in a chasing motion.  We are always chasing this guy.  And he is fast.  :)  He has moved on from walking to running most places.  And now that is he is fully aware of how to get around, he is not near as much of a fan of the car seat or stroller.  I have found that he does better in the wagon.  Whatever works!

But Will is still a smiley, social little boy.  He is pretty happy to go most places (especially if it involves getting to run around everywhere).  Balls, cars, the ball popper, race track, phones, magnet letters, and Little People farm are his favorite toys to play with.  But what he really prefers to do is play in the pantry or kitchen cabinets.  He loves taking things out of all of those and finding creative places to put them.  I STILL can't find my computer mouse.  And he still loves Elmo & Mickey Mouse.  In fact, he probably loves TV a little too much.  :)

He is continuing to be a great eater.  We are so thankful!  It is a new experience for us to have a kiddo that eats pretty much anything put in front of him.  His favorites are strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, casserole dishes, cheese, rice, turkey dogs, spaghetti or most any pasta, bagels with cream cheese, and milk.  He LOVES milk and wants a cup filled with it first thing in the morning.  The funny thing is that he doesn't seem to care for chicken nuggets, apples, or sweets.  (All of which are his brother's favorites...funny!)

Will has thankfully had several good months in health news.  The tubes have proven to be wonderful...no infections since.  At around 15-16 months, we were able to wean him off the reflux medicine, and he has done great.

A bit of a scare ended with good news.  He had to have a sedated MRI after concerns of his head size.  It happened several times over the last year where the head circumference grew at a very rapid rate.  The pediatrician said after watching for awhile, it was time to make sure everything was OK. Thankfully the MRI came back normal and the verdict is he has a big head...because he has a big head.  :)  We were extremely thankful for our big-headed boy to get this good news!

Speech has been kind of funny with him.  He is very vocal and verbal.  In fact he talks a lot.  And he has all kinds of different sounds, inflections, etc., but he has yet to really pick up a ton of words consistently.  We can tell when he's saying, da-da, ball, dog, all done, hi/bye, and yes pretty easily.  The rest is in his own little language.

Two of my favorite things about Will are that he loves music and that he is still a snuggle bug.  Almost anytime there is music on, he does his little bounce dance moves.  He loves when people sing to him and always claps for you when the song is over.  I can't wait to see if this ends up being a real interest of his.

And one of the best parts of my day is when I go in to get him after his nap.  I sit on the glider, and he will lay his head on my shoulder for a good 5-10 minutes and rock.  I usually sing "You Are My Sunshine," then he claps for me, and then he is off and running.  Love it!  And he is our kid that will come up to most anyone and give a hug.  Sweetest thing ever.

He is at an exhausting age, but at the same time, such a sweet and fun age.  Wade & I both have loved seeing his little personality emerge, and we enjoy so much when we get time with him by himself as he is usually cracking us up.  So thankful for this little ray of sunshine and the joy he brings to our home!