Right, so 18 months

see more Historic LOL

I've had several people point out to me that I've gone missing from my blog here recently. The reason is multi-factorial. Reason the first is that between finishing my semester, helping my Mom find a place to live (!!!!) here in NJ and taking care of the kiddos, I haven't had a lot of time to blog. Reason the second is that I have not had much inspiration to blog lately. Feeling sort of "meh" about the whole thing. Finally (and thirdly), I now have so much to catch up on here that I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. Since it appears that no one was Raptured today and the world did not end, I figure maybe I'll get back on the old blog horse.


Let's start with Cheeky Monkey's 18 month check up, shall we? Let's do. Clearly, 18 months is when I begin feeding my children without their clothes.

Cheeky Monkey - 18 months old

Gummy Bear -- 18 months old

They get deliciously messy every time we eat. Having a toddler with hair is an interesting experience. When Gummy Bear used to wipe his food all over his head, I'd just wipe it down with a wet paper towel.  I usually have to put Cheeky Monkey in the tub to get the various food bits free.

Anyhow, ridiculous eating habits aside, 18 months is also where kids begin to "assert their independence." What this means for me is a lot of tantrums, running away, and screaming bloody murder anytime his brother takes a toy from him. Good times. It also means that Cheeky Monkey is finally beginning to talk! We have added "up," "Neena," "mine," "kee" (kitty) and "Ta" (his name for big brother) to the mix.

My Monkey is also still a sweet, snugly boy. He generally falls asleep in my arms at bedtime, likes his snuggle time in the mornings and bestows random, delicious, slobbery kisses. He continues to eat everything I put in front of him and weighed in at a healthy 28 pounds, 12 ounces at his visit a few weeks ago. That put him in the 85th percentile for weight and, incidentally, is only 10 ounces heavier that Gummy Bear at the same age. He was also 33.75 inches tall, which put him in the 80th percentile for height. 

Eating Lo-Mein on Mother's Day

He is doing beautifully at daycare. Of course, we only have one more week before I pull the boys for the summer. Time will tell if I'm stark-raving looney-toons at the end of 3 months with both boys 7 days a week. We have several trips, a pool pass, and Sesame Place passes to occupy our summer, so I think we'll be just fine.

What is in this hole, anyway?

Cheeky Monkey has a curious nature and seems to be a natural scientist. You can see the wheels turning a lot, even if he doesn't say much. He often plays the "what happens if I do this?" game with us, his brother and his things. I think he's destined to be a social scientist though, especially because he regularly torments his brother by doing just exactly what makes him crazy.

This look? This look means trouble.

He loves to tip his head down and give upward or sidelong glances. It's just about the cutest thing I've ever seen and nearly always precedes trouble. 

Did I mention that he's using the potty a couple times a day? And beginning to manage stairs? And climbing on EVERYTHING!?

So, basically, Cheeky Monkey is pretty fantastic. I'm crazy in love with this little man. Happy year and a half, little man!