Monte James - 18 Months

Monte James - 18 Months Old

- LOVES animals, well except the chickens, we have kitties right now and he loves to hug and cuddle them. He would walk right up to the horses and under them if we let him.  No fear.  He always gets excited when Gunnar asks him if he wants to go feed the horses or calves.

- Is becoming more verbal but still definitely seems more advanced physically than verbally.  He is learning that throwing a fit doesn't get him what he wants and to use words instead.  He will try to say words when we ask him to and gets sooooo excited if he succeeds in saying it! 

- Loves putting stuff together then taking it apart again.  Penny bought him a Mr. Potato head that she keeps at her house and she said he spent a lot of time putting all the pieces into the holes then taking them out again.

- Enjoys finding body parts on himself or you.  He knows cheeks, eyes, nose, mouth, hands, knees, toes, hair, ears, belly button, feet, and I'm sure a few more.  He thinks it is so funny to find my belly button then find his.  He still is so chubby that when he leans over to find his it disappears in his belly rolls and he can't find it.  So funny!

 - Loves to climb on anything and everything!  He rarely makes me nervous.  He seems very smart about climbing and aware of the edge or height or stability of what he is climbing on. 

 

- Is on a pretty consistent schedule but also deviates well.  Puts himself down for naps and at night.  Eating well too.  (except for now while he's teething)

- Still has the best smile that melts your heart.

- Can show you "1" with his hand but when you ask him to do "2" he looks at his hand very confused then finally gives up and does "1" again. 

- LOVES going with Gunnar to check waters or animals or feed.  He often gets to play in the troughs!  He has figured out how to start or turn off the ranch truck and has a special compass that he always wants to play with when he goes.

 

- Loves to throw things in the trash when you ask him to.  So far he hasn't throw things that don't belong but only what you ask him to.  He also gets really satisfied when he closes the lid! 

- Is starting to figure out how to "play pretend."  He drags this blanket around and then lays down and goes "nigh nigh" all over the house!  

 - Loves shoes.  He always knows where his shoes are when you ask him to go get them! He also tries to put his shoes on me and gets frustrated when they won't go on. 

-Covers himself up at nap time!  

- Got his first pair of "real" boots!  Cutest. Thing. Ever.

- LOVES water still!  And we have plenty of "Monte sized" pools on the ranch so he gets his fill of playing in the water!

- Gives hugs and open mouth kisses now. 

- Enjoys his grandparents so much!! It is so wonderful to have family close by that can help us love and invest in our children.  

- Is starting to figure out "play time" and enjoys when we get down on the floor and play with him.  

- Got attacked and spurred by our rooster (who now will become chicken noodle soup) Gunnar was outside with him and suddenly the rooster just started going after him.  Gunnar got him off really quickly but Monte is no longer a fan of the chickens.  Can't say I blame him! 

-Loves mud, puddles, throwing rocks, throwing dirt,  playing with sticks, and all other things outdoors! 

- Spends lots of time stacking blocks!  He really does have good focusing skills it seems!   When he decides he wants to do something he works at it for a long time until he succeeds.  

- Is a big brother!!  (blog on that coming soon!)

- Is starting to get "shy" with new people!  It's really just an act and lasts a whole 30 seconds.  In reality he's a big charmer at heart!

- Needs a hair cut!!  Totally rocking the mullet currently!

- Is a little stinker sometimes!


- Is turning into such a little boy and not a baby!  I love it and hate it all at the same time!