A letter to my Henley: 18 months

You wearing your favorite "Off-Off" Pj's

Hey there little boy,

I thought I would change it up and write a letter to you for this big milestone birthday. I can't even begin to imagine what you will be like or look like by the time you actually read this, and I don't really even want to think about. Right now, you are right in the sweet spot between baby and kid. You have so many qualities of a grown-up kid, but you still need mama to nurse you to sleep and wipe your butt. :) In just a short 6 months you will be a 2 year old, and I'll have to start paying for you at the zoo. :)

This morning began just like any other normal morning. You woke up and immediately started nursing. We usually lie in bed for a while just talking to each other while you nurse. You find Tegan and stop drinking to say "Hi Teg-Teg." You then jump out of bed and run to the kitchen yelling "Dada!" You find Dad and you guys make coffee together. You love to smell the coffee grounds. You run around the house and try to find ways to slow down Dad while he gets ready for work. Once Dad is off, we make breakfast. These days you are loving yogurt, banana and eggs. If I give you

toast, you just suck the coconut oil or cream cheese off the top. You are just mastering "Yes" and "No." It's awesome that I am able to ask you what you want. Your yogurt usually ends up everywhere but your mouth, but you have fun playing around with it.

Giving kisses 

After breakfast, we head out on our daily walk with Tegan. We stroll though the neighborhood in the baby carrier, and you are so good at pointing out things. Your favorite are still the cats, but you can also spot cars, trees, birds, trucks, trash trucks, dog poops, water puddles, and dogs. You also love finding cracks in the ground, and Dad loves the way you say "crack." You also have to say hello and wave at every passerby. You are such a ham! 

Mmm strawberries 

You love your friends 

Today we had a fun zoo day planned with some of your friends at the LA Zoo. We have been taking you to the zoo starting around 4 months old, and it never gets old. You find new things to discover each time we visit. Who knows? Maybe you will become a zoologist like your mama! Today, you found the seal right when we walked in. Of course you had to say hi to him and give kisses through the window. I usually let you just run around by yourself at the zoo, but today you had 5 other friends to run with you. You are getting pretty social and starting to recognize your friends when you see them. You love to say Joshie for Joshua and Ju-Ya for Julia. You also give the sweetest hugs and kisses to your friends, although I don't know if they always like it! I guess you gotta make-up for always stealing their snacks. :) 

I am mostly shocked this past month with your vocabulary. You basically repeat everything I say. You answer every question I ask you, although I'm not sure that you always know what I asked. You are picking up names of so many things. You are also picking up words that you know from songs and T.V shows. When you wake up from afternoon naps, I just sit with you in the bed and we just have conversations. I love to hear those words with your high little baby voice. Your inflections on words are also incredible. You can say the same word in many different ways. It blows me away.

Physically, you are a monkey. You climb anything and everything. Surprisingly, you really don't fall too much. You are very coordinated. You also have crazy muscles. We've had many people comment on them. You love to jump off tables and couches. You push things around so that you can get on top of the kitchen counter or entertainment stand. You like to find the most precarious thing to stand or walk on.

I'm finally tall enough for Autopia! 

Yesterday we had your 18 month check up. It's no surprise that you are in the 95th percentile for height, measuring in at 34 inches! Are you my baby? You weigh a whopping 26 pounds 14 oz (85th percentile)! We saw a new pediatrician, and he just thought that you were the best baby ever. He admired your social development and happy attitude. He was shocked by how healthy you are. Your Dad and I were so proud of you in that moment. It's always special to see you touch other people with your extraordinary energy.

I love to see you change and grow everyday, You are becoming a little person with such a personality. You are my little buddy and best friend. I love exploring the world with you, and seeing things from your perspective. You light up every person you come in contact with. You are a little mover, and I hope I can challenge you and give you the platform you need to truly be yourself. We are in this together for the long haul. Hang on tight, we are all in for an amazing adventure!

Love you with all my being!
XOXOXOXO
-Mom