Jude & Sloane | 18 Months

Jude and Sloane are 18 months! I would be a total train wreck except I absolutely adore this age.  It comes with its own frustrations and difficulties, but I can't get enough of our two little toddlers.  They understand so much and are so eager to learn.  Michael and I are constantly amazed at all they can do.  We are the very definition of proud parents.

Jude's stats at 18 months:
Weight: 27 lbs 10 oz (70%)
Height: 33 1/4 in (80%)
Head:  19 1/4 in (75%)
Teeth: 16 - I'm already looking for his 2-year molars
Nicknames: Jude the Dude, Bubby, Judy Blume (I can't help myself)
Diapers: Just switched to size 5

Sloane's stats at 18 months:
Weight: 23 lbs 14 oz (45%)
Height: 33 1/2 in (95%)
Head:  18.75 in (85%)
Teeth: 12  with three about to pop through!
Nicknames: Sloaney Bologna, Sloaney, Baby Girl
Diapers: 4

Jude is pretty proportional and Sloane has turned into a string bean (with a belly).  She has finally surpassed Jude in height (by a whopping .25 inches)--the only other time she has been taller than him was the day they were born!

Eat
We've had some struggles in this department.  Sloane isn't too picky and while she has her preferences, she will try anything you offer her.  Jude turns his nose up to most everything.  I would love to say the four of us sit down as a family and eat the same meal together but we're nowhere close.  We've also been slow to give them utensils for purely selfish reasons--I know the mess it'll create and I don't want to bathe our kids three times a day.  When they do use utensils they're quite good at grasping the concept (and the food).  That is my goal for the next month--really give them the chance to use the utensils and stop using their fingers.

*After writing this section I let them eat their yogurt with a spoon and they didn't miss a drop.  So maybe delaying it was a good thing and I got to bypass the messy part?  We'll see about that.  :)

Sleep
They are still great sleepers at night, typically going down around 7p and sleeping until 7a.  We have yet to officially move to one nap, mostly because they're showing signs of still needing two.  There are some days we make it to noon without a problem, while other days they're yawning by 10a.  My type-A self who thrives on a schedule is going crazy.  However, I know this will not always be the case so I mostly watch for cues from them to determine whether it will be a one nap or two nap day.  I love that my babies love to sleep--I will never complain about that!

Play
Watching these two play brings us so much joy.  Michael and I will sit on the couch and watch them chase, tickle, and tackle each other for long stretches of time.  Then they'll stop, run over to us and give us a hug, and then it's back to playing together.  Those sweet moments are THE BEST.  I know they say it keeps getting better but I honestly don't know how.

With that being said, playtime is not always relaxing.  Jude has taken his climbing skills to the next level and is FAST.  Even though Sloane has much longer legs, his arm strength is so impressive that he can pull himself up on things she can't.  He's lost his footing a few times and continues holding on by his arms.  Blows me away.  They both love to explore but they also enjoy "quiet time" with a puzzle or book.  Sloane is our puzzle expert, and can complete all of our puzzles in little time.  Jude will put in a few pieces but gets bored and leaves.  He still loves his books and will listen to the same one three times in a row.

We have two very active kids and I love it, but I do get jealous when I see other parents snuggling with their babies.  That is so rare in our house that when it does happen, I am THRILLED.  I enjoy those moments as much as they'll allow it before they're off to discover something else.

They still love to watch the garbage man, blow kisses, give hugs (not to each another--when you ask them to hug they give each other a shy look and run away!), "talk" to each other, watch Daniel Tiger and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, climb up (and down) the stairs, do absolutely anything outside, and go on wagon rides.  

Jude is a daddy's boy and Sloane is mama's girl.  Jude still doesn't enjoy being left at the church nursery.  The workers say he cheers up within a few minutes but he now starts crying before we hand him over.  It's sad but we know it's great for him to be around other kids.  Sloane takes off and doesn't look back.  I know they say every child is different but it amazes me how different their personalities already are (and have been since birth).

Travel
Michael and I flew to Charleston this month to attend a childhood friend's wedding. We were gone for four days while Mimi & Papa took care of them at home.  It was the first time we were both away from them at the same time and it went so well!  We missed them terribly but knew they were in great hands.  We face-timed every day and enjoyed sleeping in, staying out, and having little to no responsibility.  :)  The reunion was absolutely wonderful.

Dear Jude,
My expressive little boy.  You are into absolutely everything these days and always run (never walk) from one activity to another.  Everyone who meets/sees you declares you "all boy" and they are so right.  When you're forced to sit still (high chair, etc.), I watch your eyes and they're always looking around to see what you can climb on next.  I love your sense of adventure and wonder.  You bring us such joy, Bubby.

You don't talk much at all--only say a handful of words--but you are able to communicate in so many different ways.  Right now you love to point out every car ("cah") that drives by (or is parked in the street).  You like to sit in my lap and point out all my facial features, and then blow me a big kiss that sounds nothing like a kiss but I will take every last one.

You still have such a judgy stare and strangers often ask what they did to "upset" you.  As far as I'm concerned, you can give that look to strangers and girls for the rest of your life.  I never want to share.  :)  You are still a big boy and are stronger than you realize, but I've noticed you can be gentle when you want to be.

Jude, you adore music.  It doesn't matter where we are or who we're with, if you hear a song you start dancing.  What makes this even cuter is oftentimes you don't smile but instead make your "dance face," which is very serious.  There is nothing funny about bopping up and down.  Nothing.

You got your third haircut this month and aged two years in the process.  I rarely get asked if you and your sister are twins--they definitely look at you as the protective older brother.  And you are, even if it is only by a minute.

Sweet boy, I adore everything about you.  Your soft hair, your beautiful eyes, your contagious giggle, your absolute love of life.  I thank God for you with every breath I take.  I love you, sweet boy.

  

 

 

Dear Sloane,
My sweet, silly, sassy little Sloaney.   When did you become a little girl?  Your dad and I were away from you for a few days and I swore you grew several inches.  Turns out you really have--you are so tall!  And you know you are something special because you walk with purpose.  Shoulders back, arms swinging, feet pointed, smile on your face.  And then you break into a run, collapse into my arms, hug my neck, and in that moment I am the happiest I've ever been.

While your brother is very hands on, you don't mind standing back a bit and watching before jumping into activities.  You love to observe and you pick things up quickly that way. 

You don't say many words, but your gibberish is precious and I dread the day it goes away.  You use big gestures and love to wave to everyone you meet.  Your favorite person in the world is YOU.  Whenever you see your reflection you break into the biggest smile and wave/blow kisses to the pretty girl standing in front of you.  I can't tell if you realize it's you or not but my goodness you are a big fan.

You have become quite sneaky.  For the longest time Jude was always stealing your pacifier and running away but now it is you.  I always feel a little guilty because I'll go to your room to tell Jude it is time to SLEEP and then realize he is upset because he's without a pacifier.  Meanwhile you are relaxed in your crib, using both pacifiers as finger puppets.  You are sly, little one. 

Your favorite thing to do right now is buckle yourself into the wagon.  It brings you such joy and as soon as it snaps you grin and clap for yourself.  Unfortunately (but fortunately), you have yet to figure out how to get out so you're stuck until someone can free you.  You love wearing my bracelets and "twirling" (nothing close to a twirl but keep trying).  You also love to hug and rock your baby, point out every spill in a five mile radius, and play with puzzles.  Your hair continues to come in, slowly but surely.  You love to brush it, which absolutely cracks me up.

I am so grateful YOU, Sloane Elisabeth, are my child.  My daughter.  I can't tell you how many times your dad and I look at each other and thank God for choosing us to be your parents.  What an honor it is!  I love you, sweet girl.

 

Love you both so much! Happy 18 months, sweet babies!  Love-Mom

For more bluebonnet pictures, CLICK HERE.

For more Easter pictures, CLICK HERE.

For more bluebonnet pictures, CLICK HERE. 

For more Earth Day pictures, CLICK HERE.