18 Months and growing strong

How crazy is it that my little man is already a year and a half? I am just as shocked as the rest of you and I see him all day everyday. Ryker is a fun little guy. Although he has challenging moments, this month has been SO much fun. Ryker like most kids his age throws tantrums and for the most part they are limited to stores and restaurants. Ryker is a good kid but for some reason not being able to run around, explore and get into things just sends him into tantrums. This is very frustrating when I am trying to rush through the store or browse through a clothing store, not to mention embarrassing when I am carrying my child like a football out of a store while he is kicking and screaming. I guess you chalk that up to the age and just testing his boundaries. I have read several people's blogs who are having similar experiences which is comforting. Ryker has really come out of his shell and started to play and interact with kids. We enjoy having some of his friends over so that they can play. I am surprised that for the most part they play well together without too much fighting over toys. Ryker also enjoys playing with Dave and I. The other day he was saying "We" and I couldn't figure out what he wanted. Soon Dave said "Do you want to be tossed around?" and Ryker said "yeah" so Dave threw him up in the air and he said "WEEEE". These days Ryker talks so much it is just a matter of interpreting what he is trying to say. I am amazed by what he says and when he says thing. He now says Please & Thank You which is nice since I am always trying to get him to use manners at the table and when he wants something. Just the other day he said "Love you" to my parents when we were leaving their house. It used to be when we would tell him to say Love you he would pucker up his lips to give a kiss (SO cute and thankfully he still does this most of the time). I love how he can count to 3. His favorite toy this month is sunglasses, and some regular glasses that we bought at the dollar store and poked out the lenses. I should take some pictures, it is SO adorable. One of the other new things that Ryker has done over the last month is point to things when I ask him in a book where the cow is, he will point it out on the page. I love that he enjoys learning so much. I just need to find more activities that will help him learn and develop more of his skills.

I love that Ryker is LISTENING so much better and seems to be responding to what I ask of him. I am enjoying the moments when he will help me pick up his toys and bring me a book to read. I am loving those few moments everyday when he will cuddle up next to me or give me BIG hugs and kisses. It seems like each day gets a little easier with him. I know that he will still continue to have his days but I am hoping that most of the hard days are behind us for now.

Ryker is a FUN, CUTE, LOVING, SWEET, SMART, ADORABLE little boy that we LOVE having in our family. I look forward to seeing what will come next.