Ian: 18 months old already!

Hi All,

Well those three months just flew by!  Its so hard to believe how fast Ian is growing and developing.  If I had to characterize the last three months, I'd have to say Ian's biggest accomplishment was learning how to communicate.  He can speak several words now, and understands nearly everything we say (although whether he actually *listens* is another story...).

He has a good number of words now including:

Hi/Hello
Bye
Lola
Up
Water
Juice
No
Riley ('Rar-Rar')
Nanny ('Nana')
Poppy ('Papa')
Grandma ('Gamma')
Matthew ('Mau-Mau')
Bottle ('baba')
Laura ('Lor-La')
Cat/Meow
Moo
Oh-oh
This (usually with pointing)
Car
Train
Milk
Turtle
Baby
Teddy


And my personal favorite "ThereItIs" (all as one word...).

There are probably a few I'm forgetting also, he's really picking up language very quickly now that he has the hang of it.  He still hasn't learned 'why' yet - maybe that will hold off until he's two?

Back in August, Ian's cousin Matthew turned 1 and Ian was lucky enough to be invited to his birthday party at the Children's Museum.   Ian and Matthew both seemed to have a blast!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Wow!  Look at the dinosaur!

Matthew - your party is the coolest!

Uncle Gary is so crazy and fun!

Happy Birthday to You!

Yum, Yum, Birthday cupcake!

Oh Oh, I think I has too many birthday treats...

The boys - posing for Mommy

Someone is super-excited about his presents!

Mom - stop taking pictures of me already!

Ian - keeping an eye on that triceratops!

Enjoying some refreshments.

Exploring the Under the Sea exhibit.

Oh oh - drinking and driving...

In September, David, Ian and I met up with Uncle Gary, Aunt Tif and Matthew at the African Lion Safari for the day.  There were so many things to see there that we didn't even get to it all.  There was a petting zoo where Matthew and Ian got to run around with a bunch of baby goats, and to see baby deer.  There was an elephant march and bath that Mommy thought was pretty cool (although Ian was less interested).  The actual drive through the Safari preserves was really neat - Ian and Matthew really enjoyed looking at all the animals through the windows.  Although at one point Uncle Gary enticed an ostrich to come right up to the window of the car while Ian was on his lap - Ian was pretty terrified at that point!  We also went to a couple of bird shows and a boat tour to see some water and island animals.  Ian was very good the entire day and seemed to really enjoy himself. 

Ian reading up on the Safari animals on the trip there.

Hi baby goats!

Petting the baby goat.

The boys at the Safari!

Ian has also moved into a Big Boy Bed - well, at least a big boy mattress.  But he has now spent the last few months sleeping on a mattress on the floor of his own room and has done very well.  He knows how to find Mommy and Daddy's room when he wakes up, so usually just gets himself out of bed, and walks down the hall and taps Mommy on the arm with his bottle asking for 'Milk' or 'Up'.  He actually really likes his bed - and his new ball-themed sheets - plus its a double bed - and, like his dad, Ian likes to 'sprawl' in his sleep.

Ian and Daddy - having a nap

Ian is also very observant, and really likes to imitate what the adults do.  This really hit home for me when he was watching me get ready one morning, and after I had put my contacts in I let him play with my case.  He poked his finger in the case to 'get the contact' and then proceeded to poke himself in the eye trying to 'put it in'!  But its also made me be a little more careful what I let him see me doing!

I found Ian like this one morning - so took a picture!

Peek-a-boo!

Ok, time for a break.

Cows say "Mooooo"

We took Ian to the Western Fair for the first time this year - he actually had a great time!  There was a petting zoo, which he really enjoyed, and there was a whole section of the fair made just for little ones, with tamer rides that Mommy or Daddy could ride on with Ian.  His favorite ride was the spinning cups - he just kept turning and turning the wheel to make us go faster!  There was also a Crazy Canine dog show with dogs doing a whole bunch of tricks.  Ian kept wanting to run out in the middle of the ring to play with them - but I think he enjoyed the show.  He also devoured the fair frozen yogurt treat we bought.

At the Western Fair

Riding the train with Daddy

In front of the Agriculture Building

To continue our tradition, we took Ian back to Appleland Station this year  - I think he was a little more excited this time than last year - even though they didn't actually have any apples to pick this year (due to some untimely frost in the spring).  He loved playing in the big sand pit - he dug in the sand, he crawled through the big tunnels, he played with the dump trucks - I think he would have stayed there all day if we hadn't taken him away.   We rode the Appleland train to the corn maze, then Ian led the way through the maze - he seemed to find it pretty fun, although he did try to take a few shortcuts through the corn stalks.   He did eventually lead us out though - he clearly got his navigational skills from his Dad, because I was completely lost.

Ooo - I wonder where this goes?

Crawling through the sand tunnel

Look at all this sand!

This is so much fun!

The whole family on the train.

Ian leading us through the maze.

Ian finding one of the guideposts.

Back on the train - survived the maze!

Taking a rest.

Even through Matthew has moved to Toronto, Ian still gets to see his frequently on the weekends.  They are getting along pretty well, and starting to have a lot of fun together.

Ian and Matthew playing a duet!

Ian and Matthew playing 'house'.

Auntie Jenn and Uncle Mike hosted Thanksgiving this year, which turned out amazing!  The turkey was HUGE, and was super tastey, as was everything else in the meal.  A very successful first turkey and first large family meal for the newlyweds. 

Ian and Poppy at Thanksgiving.

There are some very exciting events coming up very soon for Ian - tomorrow he will be starting his first preview day at daycare - and will be starting at daycare two mornings every week from now on.  I think its going to be a lot of fun for him.  He will be in a class of ten toddlers (ages 18 - 30 months) and I think he will learn a lot from being around other little guys and girls around his own age.  It will be a bit of a transition for him though - he's never really been left with strangers before.  I am also both excited and nervous to see him start - but we'll see how it goes - be prepared for an update in 3 months!

Playing the piano and dancing at the same time - so talented!

Ian had his eighteen month check up just last week - and boy were we surprised to learn he'd shot up TEN cms since his last appointment in July, making him just about average for his age at 81cm tall, and alleviating some of Mommy's guilt for passing on her 'short genes'.  He's also weighing in nicely at 22 lbs 10 oz.  The rest of his check up also went well - he's meeting all of his milestones, and took his shots like a champ - no crying whatsoever!

Ian demonstrating his climbing abilities.

Well, I'm sure time will continue to fly right on by and Ian will continue to grow and change right under my nose, while I try my best not to let these precious toddlerhood moments go by unappreciated.   He changes so much, even on a daily basis, that its hard to keep up with sometimes.  I find myself constantly surprised that he knows how to do or say something that I know he couldn't before, and sometimes I have no idea how he figured it out.

Until next time...

Love Amanda