18 Month Update

I was looking at some of my old posts since I am trying to get my blog all caught up. I am amazed by the pictures of Emily and Luke from April and May!  It has only been a few months but they have grown so, so much.  They had their 18 month appointment a few weeks ago and they are doing great!



Emily,

You weigh 21 pounds and are 29.5 inches tall.  You are a teeny, tiny thing and just barely on the growth chart...we are so proud of you.  You are very social and curious, but you always come back to me for reassurance and I just love your sweetness.  By evening you are so worn out from moving all day that you love to cuddle and rock.  I am amazed that while you can't be still at all during the day, at night time all you want is my lap and the rocking chair.  

You are a fireball.  Sharing is not a skill you have mastered.  You are manipulative and there is a little spark of amusement that crosses you face when you are doing something you shouldn't.  If you know I am watching, instead of stealing a toy from Luke you will bait him with something you don't really want until he surrenders the item you desire. You make me laugh every day.  You are prone to dramatics, everything is a bracelet, and I "lend" you one of my necklaces to wear almost everyday. You are determined to learn to put your shoes on by yourself!

All that said, you have a sweet special nature and are full of compassion. You become very concerned about Luke if he is crying or upset (and you didn't cause it!)  You often bring him his bunny when he is sad.  The other day he fell and hit his mouth very hard.  You came over to me while I held him and tried to pat him on the head and when that didn't work you took your paci from your mouth and attempted to stick it in his.  Your paci is your most prized possession and I almost cried at the adorableness. You so wanted to help him feel better.

I look at your precious face and I'm just amazed at how beautiful you are.  You are so feminine and it just amazes me.  Your dad and I think you are so smart and precious.

Love,
Mommy


Luke, 
You weigh 22 pounds and are 29 inches tall...and cute as a button.  You have a personality that is very different from Emily..you are just so laid back.  Lately you have been getting up early in the morning and throwing a fit, which is a little irritating.  But when I go to get you ,you feel so soft and snuggly and are mostly very content to cuddle with me on the couch so my irritation doesn't last long. You could sit forever snuggled against someone watching TV.

You are very stubborn at times...and oh the whining!  I had to confess at your last doctors appointment that you are a "head banger."  When frustration hits, you are known to slam you head repeatedly into the floor while crying. Dr. Hobson swears that the latest research indicates that this is a sign of high intelligence.  I hope so. 

You also quietly disappear at times and when I go looking I usually find you sitting on the floor reading your books alone.  You are drawn to trucks and trains and are so boyish, even though we all agree that you are so physically beautiful its almost wrong! I have often worried that I didn't know enough about boys.  Boy things, boy toys, whatever. I have discovered that I do not have to worry though! You know exactly what you like and who you are and so you are teaching me.  We will read about diggers and tractors and dump trucks and I have learned every word to the theme song from Thomas the Train.

I am most impressed with your patience with you sister.  She is rough on you but you are finding your way.  At night the two of you give "night night kisses" to each other and you love it!  She always
 initiates the kiss but you follow her around waiting for her...you just love it. There is nothing better than your chubby little hands grabbing our faces for a kiss.  We love you more than you will ever know!

Love,
Mommy