Happy Day!!

This month Max turned 18 months old! Already! He weighs 25 lbs (though feels heavier than that to me) and is in the 75% for height. And boy is he a cutie!! His daddy even declared the other day that THIS is the most fun age! Now, I haven't quite looked back at this blog to compare Karmann's advancements at this age, but it seems like Max is quite mature for his age! When we visited the doctor for his check-up, the doctor commented on how sweet, smart, and cute Max was - to the point that he told me to have about 5 more of him! Ha! He was an angel at the appointment and understood everything that the doctor asked - such as - Max, open your mouth, and he did. He also gives high-fives, blows kisses, says "thank you" and "please". He usually waves bye, but the other morning he woke up and was playing with a toy that says "bye bye" and he started saying it too! So just in the past two weeks, he's been waving and (usually yelling) Bye!!! Its adorable.
In addition, Karmann and Max both like two books that Aunt Sarah gave them for Christmas - "Listen to my Trumpet" and "Happy Pig Day" both with the characters Gerald (Elephant) and Piggy (Pig). Max has caught on to Gerald's name, and the beginning of the book, so he often is saying "Gerald - Gerald!" and that means he wants me to start reading or reciting the book. Then, his favorite part is when we say "Happy Pig Day" though he says is like this: "HA - ppy DAAAEEEE!!!" It is THE cutest thing ever, and whenever I think its going to be a crappy day, I say to Max - what is today? and he replies "HA -ppy DAAEEEE!!!" and then I am happy too! I'll try to get it on video to post.
Max's other obsession is throwing a ball. And saying "ball" constantly if he either sees a ball or a circle, which he thinks is a ball. He is definitely going to be into sports! He is also starting to learn colors! And similarly to Karmann, who thought all colors were purple, until she became obsessed with red - Max thinks all colors are Blue! Though he does know when its not blue, such as yellow, which he can say as well, but mostly everything is Blue to him. He also knows the sun and the moon; trees, "yucky" or "eeeuuu", blanket, door, socks and shoes, diaper, belly, eyes, nose, ears, head, teeth (which he's got a total of 10 now!) and some phrases are "there it is" "where is it?" "all done" "daddy down" "I want this" - all of which are very clearly articulated! He also knows water, which is "wa-wa". The interesting thing about this is that he says "wa-wa" when he sees a fountain, lake, rain, or if he wants a drink. I am impressed that he relates it to that many things. My favorite is when we drive past the Star Tower in downtown on our way to school every morning, and he sees the wall fountain and says "wa-wa" - everyday! He's pretty observant!
His sleeping habits are so-so. Or more like hit or miss. When he sleeps good, he usually sleeps in till 8 am. When he doesn't he's usually up round 2, 4 or 6 am. I just rock him or let him cry and he usually goes back to sleep fairly easily. I do admit that I do rock him to sleep at night, though he usually doesn't go to sleep until after I lay him in his bed. Sometimes this is a challenge, too, as he likes to get up and reach to turn the lights on and off. This usually bugs the crap out of Karmann, and then it becomes a game. We recently just moved his crib away from the wall so he can't reach anymore. But, when I rock him we get to have our little one-on-one time. I usually talk to him and sometimes sing the alphabet, which he has caught on to quite well! He knows "a,b,c,d," then jumps to g, and then mumbles through until its over and then claps and "yeah!!" at the end. Its pretty cute when I hear him singing it by himself.
The kid also never stops eating. He won't eat any vegetable that is green, but will eat the organic vegetables that are in the little packets like there's no tomorrow. So I hope eventually he'll eat the fresh stuff. He loves yogurt, snacks of any kind, though he won't eat a pretzel unless its the only thing in front of him!, carbs, fruit, "banana" especially, and almost anything else. Even though he only still has a few front teeth, it doesn't stop him!
He and Karmann love to play together and they do get along pretty well. Max is running full speed these days and has a wicked left handed pitch! He can already climb a ladder and stairs - up and down with help, and can open the doors by himself. He is growing up so fast!
Though we have high hopes of him being a major league pitcher, he may also be the artist of the family! He LOVES pens and markers of any kind, and already holds the pen, crayon- whatever - perfectly. He loved to color anything - including himself - though we are trying to train him to only color on PAPER, and not the walls, floor, or clothing. It hasn't worked so far. But he can control his hand fairly well! And he uses both his left and right - almost equally. His hand-eye coordination also carries to eating with a spoon or fork - and he is really good at it! I guess when you like to eat all the time, you figure out the quickest way to get that food in your mouth! Forks are usually the utensil of choice!
He actually does listen to what we ask and usually minds us, for the most part. he minds us better than the 4 year old right now, but that's a different story!
Anyhow, here's a few photos just for fun of Max ant 18 months. Enjoy!