James at 18 Months

(blogger thought it would be funny to post this picture sideways):My dear boy, you are a handful these days. Well, more like an armful, or a wrestling match, a slobbery kiss framed with dirty little hands. Here are 10 things I never want to forget about you at this age:

1. You love me. I am your favorite. You love it when I hold all 24.5 lbs of you. You give me very kind and gentle pats on the back for it, which I think I deserve because you are getting really heavy. You also tug on my hair, fiddle with the mole on my cheek - which I am rather sensitive about, and kiss the cross on my necklace.

2. When you wake up in the morning you love to watch a little news on the couch with me and snuggle in a blanket. You still like to have yogurt before breakfast, which reminds me of Hobbits and their frequent meals. You say "Jooooooos" to let me know you'd like some and you always ask if I'm going to have tea by pointing at me and saying "Teeeee?" But sometimes I have coffee and you still call it "teeee" and ask for sips.

3. You are so messy. You randomly strut around the house like a tornado busting up neat piles of books, purposely spilling cups of juice or milk on the floor, and spreading toys through out the land. We know you are done with your dinner when you randomly fling your plate onto the floor. This is so frustrating to me - you have no idea. I have to take lots of deep breaths, and your dad has to take even more. Your sister only gave us a mere glimpse at this type of behaviour. In fact when we told her something was yucky, and not to touch it, she obliged, but when you hear that something is yucky, it intrigues you. It draws you in with a magnetic force that boys must be more vulnerable to. Please control yourself, for heavens sake.

4. You're a guy's guy. You have no problem going up to a group of young men hanging out at church and making small talk. They really like you too. You have several buddies that you let hold you and rough house with. I'm pretty sure you'll be really good at making fart noises with your armpits one day.

5. You do have a softer side though...Occasionally you like to play with your sister's dolls. You've even fought her over them. You like to get them blankets and cover them up. Sometimes you'll hold one around the house while you play. I think it's pretty cute, and I'm hoping when your new sibling comes you'll be nice and gentle to him or her too. Although I have seen you trying to pluck out one of the doll's eyelashes. Please don't do that to our baby.

6. Your smile melts my heart. It's so cute. It looks just like my Grandpa's - who has a wonderful smile. You even have dimples. Could you get any cuter?

7. When daddy gets home, you run to the door as fast as you can with your big grin, shouting "DADDA!"That's gotta feel good after a long day at work. If I am your favorite, your dad is a very close second. You two are a good pair. Your dad really loves having a son, and lets you dip your crackers in his ale. He carries you around the house while I make dinner and you look so satisfied up in his arms. Sometime you guys go to Home Depot together. And because your dad is a brave man, he never brings a diaper bag, as he tells me that you guys prefer to travel light. For some reason you've never soiled yourself on these outings or caused a need for a baby wipe to arise. This slightly perturbs me, but it's good for you and your dad, and it gets you out of my hair for a hour or so.

8. Moooo! Baaaaa! Oink Oink! You have a large vocabulary of animal noises. Nothing excites you more than seeing an animal, whether in a book or in real life, that makes a fun sound. I've never heard a more committed oink nor a convincing neigh from a toddler.

9. You're a very nice brother to Hannah. While you do sometimes try to get into whatever she's doing and bug her, you love her so much and follow her around like a lost puppy. If she gets hurt or sad and cries, your face immediately expresses concern. You wrap your little arms around her her and give her a kiss and pat her head. Despite the squabbles between you that I have to referee, many times while I'm busying myself around the house, the two of you will be found playing and I can hear you both laughing heartily. I hope you will be friends forever.

10. You are a joy. You make all of us laugh with your antics. You are curious, loving, affectionate, big-hearted, noisy, energetic, cranky, healthy, and everything we could ever hope our little boy to be. I know when you get older and turn into a big kid, and eventually a young man with hair all over your body and an adams apple, I will wish I could go back and hold you once again when I could still lift you up and tickle you on your neck and ribs. Thank God for you, my son. A big chunk of my heart belongs to you.