The Fuhr Five: 18 Months

Our little man Ethan is now 18 months old (and one week). I read up on what a typical 18 month old is like and E fits the description exactly - a predominately happy, energetic little man.

He is a smart, healthy, rambunctious boy. He is still in the 90-95th percentile in height and has jumped up to the 90th percentile in weight (from 60-70% at previous dr visits). He's now an average proportioned toddler, just bigger than average.

The last few months Ethan has made huge steps in cognitive and physical development:

He can match shapes, pictures and now letters. He loves to do puzzles matching pieces to their pair.

He still loves to read and his favorite books are anything with animals, so he can name the animal and we can make the noises to it.

He knows most animal names and knows their sounds - he is very good at barn yard animals, zoo animals and of course Alaskan animals.

He loves to color and do art projects - his body and tables being his favorite canvas. He still switches between his left and right hand so not sure if he's a southpaw like his parents yet.

He has made big jumps in physical abilities - he throws overhand-ish and underhand, runs and jumps like a two year old and has gotten comfortable on his skis. He has great coordination for his age and no fear - he will give anything a try.

His favorite places to go are gymnastics and the pool. As soon as we walk into either, he starts smiling, running around and yelling. In the pool he floats on his back and blows bubbles. At the gym his favorite is swinging on the bars and jumping on the trampoline.

E is very observant and remembers what he sees - he can tell us how to make coffee and tea and what to do to get ready after a shower (even tries to put on deodorant like Dad!).

He is learning to dress himself and has fully figured out how to undress himself...even unzipping his footy pajamas. Sometimes you just need to be naked.

Ethan communicates very well - just not with spoken English. Right now he isn't saying any words (although he has said some in the past) and communicates with sign language and pointing and grunting. He is very expressive in his facial and body language so we don't have much trouble understanding him.

He understands everything we say to him, even complex instructions like 'first you have to do this and then we can do that'. We speak to him in the same words we speak to eachother and he understands.

Just because he doesn't speak words yet doesn't mean he's quiet - he chats up a storm in his own little language (this picture above is the face he makes when he talks to us).

E is starting to find his independence. He has decided he was ready to explore the world more on his own without needing me by his side. At gym class he would much rather run around and sit next to his teacher than me and at playdates he wants to play with other mommies. Turns out other people can be just as fun as Mom and Dad.

I always thought I would be a little sad when E reached the point of letting me go a bit, but now that it has started to happen I am just proud of the little guy. I love seeing his confidence and joy as he runs into a gym and starts throwing balls and playing, not caring if Mom followed.

One of my favorite times with my little guy is when we share an afternoon snack at the kitchen stools together - every time he looks up at me with the biggest grin, loving the fact that he is a big boy sitting on the stool sharing with his mommy. I also really love that he still will come running at me from across the room to give me a big hug and kiss and then run off again to go play. Sometimes he just needs to tell his mommy he loves her.

I love how innocent and genuine 18 month olds are. E is so giving with all of his emotions - he loves to hug and kiss and snuggle...as well as freely share his frustrations and tiredness...

A few more pics from the last few months: