Dear John,
Yesterday you turned 18 months old. As all parents say, I just don't know where the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday that we welcomed you into our lives!

You have the most fun personality and are such a happy little boy. You make friends everywhere you go, but are definitely shy when we first get somewhere if you aren't familiar with the people and surroundings. You have about a 10 minute "warming up" period where you hold on to me or daddy tight, read the room, and then get comfortable enough to get down and take off running.

Your laugh is like no other when you're playing with your brother or being tickled by daddy. You laugh all the way from your belly and it is just the funniest and cutest thing ever.

You, my dear, are my trouble maker. You find something to get into at every opportunity. Trying to use the bins from under the train table to climb on top of it. Running for the laundry room door the second you hear it open. Trying to get into the bathroom when Will is in there so you can get to the potty. Climbing up the stairs if the gate happens to be off for a minute. Playing in the dog bowl water and then coming to show me your wet hand. You have such a spunky personality and have no fear and I have no doubt that these traits will take you far in life and that you will be able to accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Things you love:

Your brother. You guys are best friends and can play so nicely together right now, when you're not wrestling or fighting over a toy! You love your brother and do anything you can to keep his attention and make him laugh. You look up to him and learn so much from him. He is your wrestling partner, your laughing buddy and your best friend. 

Climbing. Like I said before, if there's a will there's a way with you. If you can get up onto it, you certainly will. Or you'll figure out something to stand on in order to get where you want to be. This means gates on stairs are closed, little chairs & stools have to be packed away and we have to watch you with eagle eyes to make sure you're not up on the fireplace or the train table. Yesterday, we left the gate off the stairs after nap time and you climbed up to go play in your room by yourself!

Food. And Milk. You stand at the fridge door, pull on the handles, jump up and down and pat your belly when you know it's time for your milk. And if someone else is having a snack then they better be sharing with you or getting you your own or you get mad! You're a good eater overall, although cutting molars has definitely impacted your preferences right now. I have no doubt that once those are through you'll be back to your normal eating habits in no time. Your favorites: Cheese, Bread, Macaroni & Cheese, Jelly toast, Oatmeal, Scrambled Eggs, Waffles, Fruit, Yogurt (especially feeding it to yourself). Your not so favorites: Vegetables. And when you are done with something you are kind enough to share your leftovers with Stella by tossing them to her on the floor and then trying to put your plate on your head.

Books. You did not want to sit still enough for daddy and I to read to you for the first 15 mos or so of your life. You were so busy watching Will and trying to keep up with him that I just don't think you had the time to stop and read. Even before bed we could only get through a page or 2 until you were trying to climb out of our arms. But now you seek out the book basket and read all by yourself. You will sometimes have a dozen books strewn about the fireplace because you've gotten them out and paged thru them while "reading" out loud. And you love taking books to bed with you for nap time and bed time so that you can read before you fall asleep or when you wake up. It makes me so happy to see your love for books.

Laughing. Being Tickled. Screeching. Babbling. You are just hilarious, my little bubba. You have such a great sense of humor and you love to be vocal. You babble on and on and you are saying as many words as you can right now. It's still hard for us to understand most of what you say but you definitely say things over and over again and we're starting to get the hang of John babble. You also love sitting across from your brother at meal times because the 2 of you constantly make each other laugh and get into screeching matches. Let's just say it'll be a long time before daddy and I are brave enough to take you both out to dinner at a restaurant because you will exceed the noise ordinance for whatever county we are dining in.

Running. You are on the move. Constantly. You push your vacuum cleaner, dump truck, shopping cart, trucks, etc around the house and if you can find a way to run behind any of these while chasing Will or being chased, you will.

Cleaning supplies. This sounds like such a funny one but you really love to follow me around when I'm cleaning and you try to take whatever broom, mop or duster I'm using so that you can "help" me. We even asked for a little broom and mop set for you for Christmas, which you love, but nothing is as fun as using mommy's cleaning supplies. If I'm getting something out for myself and I forget to share something with you, you are kind enough to remind me by yelling at me until I do.

Snuggle Blanket & Nuk. You cannot and will not go down for a nap or bedtime without your blue snuggle blanket and your nuk. You are so excited for your nuk and will pull your blanket over your face the second you get into your crib. To say its the cutest thing in the world would be an understatement.