Eighteen months ago today, we welcomed Joel Maddox into our lives. I
can't believe how fast this has gone and how much he has grown in such a
short time. He is developing and learning new things each day and is
"talking" more and more. He can climb the stairs {has been for a few
months}. We're still teaching him to slide down step by step on his
bottom, but he isn't quite there yet. We will continue to use the gate
until he has mastered both directions!! Thankfully, Joel is completely
weaned from his bottle {since mid-September}. For awhile, he cried
{cute pouty} face when I would drop him off at the babysitter each
morning. Over the past few weeks, he just walks in, waves, and grins as
I walk away. There are two kitties there that he loves on every
day...although, I'm not so sure they feel the same about him!
Joel mostly sleeps through the night. Bedtime routine starts around 7:30
with bath, teeth-brushing, book, snuggle time, prayers, and the occasional trip back downstairs for cookies and milk. He's
usually in his crib ready to snuggle up with Monkey, Dottie & Silky {his fave blankets}, and Froggy playing music by 8:00 and sleeps until I have to
wake him in the morning around 6:30.
Joel
took his first train ride at the Strasburg Railroad last weekend when
Grandma and Grandpa were here for a visit. He wasn't so keen on the
actual ride {picture the last five minutes: jumping, screaming, and
trying to escape down the aisle}, but he
loved playing at the
train tables at the toys store for almost an hour afterwards while
everyone else toured the museum {once again screaming his lungs out when
I put him back in his stroller to walk back to the car}. Those fits
seem to be more and more frequent, and I'm hoping they get better
instead of worse!
Joel's favorites...
words: Mama, Dada, Boo & "Dael" {his variation of Boog & Daniel}, uh-oh, no, and others that we can't yet decode. :)
foods: bananas, raisins, yogurt, cinnamon-sugar toast, cheese, corn, pizza, and
anything sweet! He is becoming more and more picky, not eating as many meats and vegetables...but most of his favorites are healthy. :)
toys:
he loves dragging all our phone & computer charger cords around more than
anything else...but I suppose his favorite "real" toys are Daniel's old
Thomas Lego set...He builds the track and lots of towers with Daddy
& Daniel. He also likes anything else with wheels.
activities: bath time, brushing his
teeth, shaking his head yes & no, singing and dancing anytime
there's a song in the air, folding his hands to pray at dinner,
"playing" hockey on the Wii with Daniel...put a remote in his hand and
he's good to go! He also loves to do everything with Daniel...they're inseparable at times. :)
show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
On your six month birthday, we weathered your first snow storm...today, we prepare for Hurricane Sandy. Hoping and praying we all stay safe! Happy 18-month birthday, Joel! We love you!!! :)
p.s. I will be back in December for 18-month stats from his well visit :)
