19 month milestones

I am on top of it this month, and I will not let this month get away from me without getting in his milestones in time. Elem is at such a great and fun age in his life, I do not want to forget what a special month this has been and all the things he has learned and is doing. Who knew 19 month olds could be so awesome? Well they are! At least in my book they are.

Elem is like a sponge these days, a copy cat, if you will, as he watches everything we do intently and mimics it immediately to the best of his ability. He is happy and fun loving, and so sweet mannered, that I cant imagine a much "funner" age. I hate to see this one pass us by, but I know it is only a matter of time before this month has come and gone. The days of limited vocabulary are far and few between and his reasoning is growing by the minute. Elem is already playing Seth and I against each other, by "telling" mommy or daddy what the other has done or said to him. Only when it is not the answer he was hoping for that is! :) On the flip side, he is so affectionate and loving, the hugs and kisses, and I love yous just pour out! And they mean so much more than ever, because he really means them when he gives them or says those special words. Its amazing what a little love from a toddler will do for your day! And Elem seems to make mine every single morning it seems.

The breakdown:

Stats:
weight: 28 lbs 6 oz (as of the last doc visit about a week ago)
height: no idea but will try to update this tomorrow if he will let me measure him
diapers: size 5
shoes: 7
teeth: 16 (still waiting on those two pesky bottom cuspids, or eye teeth, on the bottom row to break on through) been forever

Large Motor:
-Athlete to a tee. Not that I am biased or anything, but Elem loves sports! All of them

-throws balls with right hand, left hand, both hands, over hand, underhand, any way you like it
-takes a few steps and kicks ball forward to designated area
-walks up and down stairs. Yay! finally understands pretty well, what happens when you walk off a step. (This took 4 ever)
-tries to jump, it looks more like a skip currently
-spins circles, dances, twists, stays in squatting position
-can climb on most objects-the couch, chairs, stools, can almost get in the bathtub
-moves and carries large objects like chairs, his potty chair, his baby doll stroller, pushes his high chair, etc.
-dumps items from one bucket to another
-plays basketball with any object-balls, legos, baby dolls. anything. And makes most of them :)
-helps in putting on his clothes (steps to put his leg in pants, pulls his arm in to put in sleeve, etc.)
-opens and closes doors by himself

Small Motor:
-Brushing master! this boy loves to brush his teeth-day and night!

-washes hands if you give his soap, and dries them by himself
-loves to color with crayons and markers-likes to take off and put on the lids to markers
-put together legos and pull them apart
-can fill and empty cups into another cup or object without spilling much at all
-feeds himself with spoon no problem
-drinks from a cup without a lid, holds with 2 hands (only at breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
-glues objects to paper if you put the glue on for him
-turns on and off night light and humidifier. :)


Socially:
-very silly!

-always laughing and running around acting silly
-loves to play with older kids
-mimics what older kids are doing-if they laugh he laughs, if they run he runs, if they throw, he throws...but on the good side, when they go potty, he goes to watch, when they sit on the carpet at circle time, he sits with them, when they sing songs, he sings songs-so it goes both ways. :)
-very rough-some would say a bully. Although he is super kind hearted, he is rough-and pushes, hits etc, to get his way or out of frustration
-his newest thing-biting. not happy about this one, but he bites when he feels threatened, or is not getting his way with another child.
-Begining to go to more people every month, still does not go to strangers, but

Mentally:
-knows many body parts: eyes, nose, ears, head, teeth, mouth, hair, tongue, toes, bo bo (for booty)
-can match two identical pictures (2 flash cards or 2 pages of a book with identical pictures)
-follos directions like blinks eyes, closes eyes, gives fives, etc
-understands pretty much anything you say
-follws 2 and 3 part commands
-speaks/uses daily about 150 words
-understands pretty much anything we say and repeats it
-Is a mimic. Currently Elem is copying everything we do, say, sing, yell, act out, anything! I love it.
-sadly, he knows what diet cokes are and points them out everywhere, and says"momma doke coke"? So funny!
-says "cu me" after he burps-this is so cute. He is trying to say excuse me!
-plays imaginary play-likes to put babies under blankets, and pat their backs, likes to play cook in the play kitchen, likes to put on hats and dress up shoes, likes to play with babies and strollers and give babies bottles. Very nurturing and loving.

Likes:
-very into Barney (as you can see below)

-Barney would be his most favorite thing right now, he loves the songs, he zones out when it comes on, he loves the books, he loves the Barney dolls :) Barney=friend for Elem
-strollers-baby doll strollers and loves to push them around
-big trucks! All kinds, dump trucks, garbage trucks, tow trucks, tractors, everything. And points them out every where we go
-attracted to lights-tiny or big, he always spots them and is intrigued by them
-pushing things around, especially outside. He could play outside for hours.

-wearing hats like daddy, but not when daddy isnt wearing one.
-kitty cats
-likes to pretend to blow dry his hair
-Foods: hot dogs, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, meats-like roast beef, chicken, turkey (we have a little meat eater), cheese!-shredded or sliced, juice, waffles, cheese toast, chicken nuggets, ranch, cheese dip, oranges, pastas, crackers,
-Books!!!! Loves books-Barney books, kitty cat books and big truck books seem to be at the top of the list these days
-to play Row Row Row your boat! He sits in our lab and rows back and forth. Adorable.

Dislikes:
-putting on clothes-the boy likes to be naked. What can I say? Dont we all?
-sticky fingers
-when he cant dosomething,he gets very frustrated and flips out
-costume animals-(large ones) they seem to frighten him a little bit
-fruits! I can not get the boy to eat any fruits-nothing. Oh except oranges
-tight fitting clothes...like tight around his ankles or wrists, he is not down with that
-boots-he only likes themfor about 2 minutes, then they must come off
-sharing-I guess you could say he is spoiled, and when he is playing with something he doesnt want to give it up.
-being cold
-getting his diaper changed by mommy-still dont get this one

-He doesnt have too many dislikes, he is super chilled baby.

Daddy's Favorite: Reading stories
-Seths favorite time these days are reading with Elem. Elem loves to read books! We currently keep a few books on the coffee table and Elem picks them out all throughout the day and night, and comes up to us to read them. He loves this time. And is so sweet when he does this! He likes to turn the pages, and he points out everything in the book. Elem wasnt always a book reader, so we are excited to have this quiet time to share with him. It is peaceful, educational, and overall a very bonding time for all of us. Seth loves to sit Elem on his lap, cuddle up, and read through as many storied as he can. :) My sweet men.

Mommys favorite: Bedtime (tucking Elem in)
-I am pretty much the bed tucker in these days. Our routine-Elem usually gets a bath around 7pm, we play and have family time for about and hour, we turn down the lights about 8pm, Elem gives Sage a dingo bone at 8pm, we read stories, and then mommy sends Elem to get his juice cup and blankey. "blankmey" to Elem. :) The I hold him for a couple of minutes and carry him to the bedroom. I turn on the night light, sometimes the humidifier, and then lay him in his bed. He snuggles up on his pillow as I rest my head on the side of the bed so he can look at me, and I just sing him whatever song I canthink of. Currently since it is Christmas time I have been singing Oh Holy Night and he LOVEs this one. He settles right down. While I sing or hum, I love looking at him and wondering what he is thinking about. He usually is rubbing his eyes and trying to get comfortable and every single night I just am so amazed at the little boy he has become, and how beautiful he is, and just perfect! This is such a great time for me. Then I tap him on the nose and tell him night night I love you. And just walk out. He always lets out a "no momma", or something along those lines, and it is pitiful. But then he goes right to sleep. Although it is sad to hear, secretly I do love it because it lets me know that he still needs me. Weird I know, but thats how I feel.

So there you have it. The breakdown of my little/big 19 month old precious and amazing boy. Elem, you are truly a joy to daddy and me, and we are having so much fun with you! Tickling, rough housing, singing, bath time, all of it, you are such a silly character, and are so goofy. You make us laugh all the time, and we love to listen to you talk. I cant get enough of your determined little self in trying to communicate with us. You are perfect in every way, and we couldnt be more blessed if we wanted to. 19 months-the best so far. Except the biting. But ill take a biter, with all the great qualities Elem has any day! Love you boo!