18 Month MacKay

 MacKay at 12 Months:  Totally chubby.  Look at that happy face.  Content.

MacKay at 18 Months:  

 A Man on the move.  Always looking for an escape route, always making us giggle.  He LOVES to be with his sister, "Nit-Ney" (as he calls her).  

Oh, my baby boy.  I remember, very clearly, the middle of the night when you were born.  You came so quickly- and you life has been buzzing by at the same rate.  You are pure joy.  Love your smiles, your funny faces and all your new words.  You are learning so much each day.  

You love to be where the action is.  You make funny faces just to make us laugh. You love to be the center of our attention.  I love to watch you in the mirror in the back of the car when the music is up really loud.  You mouth the words and lip-sync to the music.  It's adorable.  You love to dance all the time and put your little leg up in the air while you do "downward dog".  You know the words to Justin Beiber's "Baby" and love to sing the chorus.

You love sports and balls.  You refer to all balls as "ba-ball"  (basket ball).  While Whitney played Soccer on Saturday mornings, you would run out into the field to try to kick the ball.  Nothin is holding you back.  You love to shoot hoops and if ANYTHING resembles a ball, you have got to have it.  (Oranges, grapes, rocks, etc.)  You love to throw things and wrestle with Daddy.  You run outside to greet him when he pulls up in the car after work.  

Daddy puts you to bed almost each night.  We finally have weaned you from the bottles. (Just a week after you turned 18 months.) Those bottles would made you drunk and you fell asleep so well.  Now Daddy reads you a book and rocks you with your "Baby" (bear) and your "weenky"  (binky).  Dad's trying to get rid of that binky too, but I'm holding out a little longer.  

You love to come in my bed and cuddle me in the mornings and after nap time.  You've always been a good snuggle buddy.  Ever since the day you came home from the hospital.  You wouldn't let me put you back in your bouncer or swing unless I cuddled you for a few minutes after you ate.  You love to curl up with your bear and binky and snuggle down into dreamland.  It's adorable.  

You also are becoming quite picky in the food department.  What do you love to eat the most?  Cereal. Konkers (frosted mini-wheats) and HoneyNut Cheerios are a staple around these parts.  You refuse anything green, but DO LOVE my healthy smoothies.  You'll eat waffles, fries, nuggets, hot dogs, pizza and bread.  Wow.. how do you survive?  You do like bananas (grapes sometimes).  I'm not freaking out about this, because I know it will eventually change. You still have a sensitive gag reflex and will barf up just about anything.  When it's time do "wink" (drink) you spit out whatever's in your mouth and then take a drink.  This drives Daddy and me nuts, and causes every outfit to get very messy.  You LOVE LOVE LOVE sweets.  Chocolate is a favorite and you also love ice cream.  You're our little scavenger and try to get food from anyone who is eating.    

 I'm pretty sure you think it's time to grow up.  You always want to be in whatever activity Whtiney is involved in... from playdough and melty beads to gymnastics and preschool.  You are READY!  

At night, you usually sleep from 7/8 pm-7/8am.  Sometimes you wake up.  This week, you've been great.  In the afternoon you usually take a 3-hour-nap.  I love this.  Thank you!

You are a true water baby and have no fear.  (Look at that awful sunscreen that won't rub in.  It's the only kind you're not allergic to, Mr. Eczema.)  You love splash pads and pools.  You call swimming, "Wa-wa"  (water) and are ready to jump in, no matter who is around.  It scares me.  You love to go under and even hold your breath.  

You no longer sit in your high chair.  One day you decided it was over and refused to sit in it ever since.  We've taken it down.  You want to be one of the big kids now.  You can feed yourself with a spoon and fork... and yes... it's very messy.  

This picture sums up just about everything about you at this age.  Happy, messy, curious and ready to go.  You love to bring your "shoes" to me to go on a "walll" (walk).  You never want to be left behind.  You are easy going, but also determined and focused.  We love you. You have made our home a more peaceful, happy and funny place.  Keep making us laugh.  

Love, Mama 

Words you can say (without prompting):
Mama, Mom, Dada, Dad, eat, more, dog, "ca" (car), baby, "wa-wa" (water), "Nit-Ney" (Whitney), ba-ball (basketball), no, wink (Drink), wing (swing), bye, hi, "wall" (walk), shoe, "nama" (banana), etc.

You are starting to chat up a storm and will try to say just about any word we tell you to.  Most of which sound like "mush-mouth."

Animal sounds/actions you know:
elephant, lion, tiger, bear, dog, cat, fish, monkey/gorilla, cat, snake, bunny

Weight:  24.3 pounds 45%
Height:  31 inches 16%
Head:  78%