Sam at 18 months

Sam is now 18 months old. WOW - he is a busy boy. Owen said that he really noticed a difference in Sam when he came back from Banking School. Sam has developed into a toddler right before our eyes. He communicates well - still mostly with non verbals. He is starting to make more connections with words, sounds and items. Here he is this morning - being a very busy and curious little boy.

Some interesting facts about Sam this month are:

* We are slowly getting rid of milk at night. We had dropped it completely but then he hit his head and we went back to it for comfort.
* He says a couple of new sounds. He knows a cow - moos and he knows a lion - roars
* He can say Andrew almost perfectly. He asks about Andrew when he is not in the room. First thing in the morning he is asking where Daddy and Andrew are?
* Sam listens for Daddy to come home every night. Every time Ralphie barks he thinks it is Owen and gets so excited and happy.
* Some new words or phrases are: thank you, milk, bink (for blanket), juice, night night, light (and he likes to turn them off).

Sam can comprehend a lot. He can go pick out his own snack, he can show you were something is, He can close a door when asked. He still gets fighting mad when he doesn't get his way. But we are making progress on a few things like throwing. He is better at handing me a cup or object instead of throwing it down. He is also slowly learning that drinks and food stay in the kitchen only.

He is still a very loving baby. He doesn't eat much breakfast b/c he would rather play. Same for dinner. He eats a few bites and then wants to play.

He is sitting at the table now. We made this change at the beginning of the month. He likes being with of all of us.

That is one happy boy

We read the same three books every night. He doesn't "calm" down as much as he used to with bed time b/c he is engaged in the stories. We don't rock as much either. Usually it is three stories and he starts to cry b/c I won't read a 4th one. I try to get him to a calm and peaceful place before putting him in bed, but that does not always work. Luckily he soothes himself to sleep (with the help of a tag blanket or tag on a stuffed animal).

Sam is a happy kid. He wakes up "talking" and smiling and ready to start the day. I just know he is going to take life for all it has to offer. This makes both Owen and I very happy.