Dear Brantley,
First of all, let me apologize. I intended on doing a monthly update in February (at 19 months) and then again in March (at 20 months), but never found the energy or motivation. Well, now that you're 21 months and this is your last monthly birthday as an only child, I feel compelled to update.
You've officially been a toddler for some time now, but each day you are looking, acting, and behaving more like a big kid. It's crazy! Not only are you acting like a big kid, but yesterday when someone asked how old you were, I responded with "He'll be 2 in July" instead of with your age in months as I've done you're entire life. Nonetheless, this stage is more fun than the last, which was more fun than the prior, which was more fun than the prior. I love that you're able to communicate and I seriously think you're the cutest thing ever. You constantly make your daddy and I laugh, you make us proud, and you continue to amaze us with pretty much everything you do on a daily basis.
Since my last update, your vocabulary has grown exponentially. You went from a handful of words to an entire dictionary of them in just a few short months! You say words we didn't even know you knew (noodles the other day, for example) and I swear you acquire a few new words each day. The average person may not be able to decipher half of the things that come out of your mouth, but your Daddy and I are pretty good at it. And secretly, I love that you have your own way of saying things that only we can understand. :) Not only do you have a crazy-wide vocab, but you speak in short phrases, as well, and I'm certain you understand about 95% of what we say. You also repeat nearly everything we say, which is going to get your daddy in trouble one of these days. :)
Similarly to in months past, you're constantly on the go. You will go and go and go until we put you down for a nap/bedtime. I think you would go until midnight every night if you could. Of course, you'd also be a crab the following day, because you're not one to elect to lay down when you get tired. At the same time, when we do put you down for a nap or bed, you typically roll over and fall fast asleep within a few minutes. You are doing so well in your "big boy" bed and have only fallen out a handful of times since January. We do get a kick out of you each morning (and after naps)...you wake up, but stay in bed until one of us comes to get you, despite having the ability to climb out on your own. I guess you assume it's the right thing to do? You went through a minor phase of waking up in the middle of the night in February and again in March. I honestly think you were having bad dreams and luckily, it didn't turn into anything permanent.
Miss Stephanie says you're a leader at daycare, which makes your mommy and daddy really proud. There is very little you fear and you love showing off for people. You occasionally show signs of shyness, but overall, I wouldn't say being shy is one of your traits.
At 21 months:
- You are a major Daddy's Boy. You wake up each morning and repeatedly whine for "Daaaddddy, Daddddddy, Dadddyyyyyyy". Whenever you are upset or get hurt, it's your daddy you want to hold and comfort you.
- You are very polite. Among your favorite things to say: "Peas", "Thoo Too", "Arry", and "May I Be Cacused?"
- You have known the word "no" for months, but recently starting saying it. A lot. It was cute at first, but it's getting reeeeallly old!
- You can count to 5 on your own.
- You repeat the letters of the alphabet and Spanish numbers 1 through 10.
- You can identify the colors blue, green, red, orange, purple, and yellow.
- You love to help around the house. Laundry, dishes, and throwing things away, whatever it is, you jump at the opportunity.
- You love wearing Mommy's bracelets and headbands, brushing your hair with Mommy's hairbrush and comb, and filing your nails...much to your daddy's dismay.
- You already show signs of the terrible twos. Stomping your feet and throwing a fit when you don't get what you want. You definitely have a temper and you can be quite impatient.
- You love playing outside. Like I'm pretty sure it's your favorite thing in the world. Fortunately, Mother Nature has been nice and given us lots of semi-warm to warm days lately, but there have been a few days too cold and you throw a temper tantrum (see above) about being stuck inside.
- You are a typical boy - you love balls, trucks, and blocks, and you think it's the funniest thing when you toot. You know, all the usual boy stuff. One of your favorite activities (indoors or out) is shooting hoops.
- You are obsessed with Hawkeyes, Jayhawks, and Chiefs logos. Hopefully Royals, too, now that it's baseball season!
- You often bring us the "mote" and ask to watch "Mouse".
- You love to read. Your favorite books include Little People flap books, "I'll Teach My Dog a Lot of Words", and your Hawkeye and Jayhawk books.
- We're pretty certain you're a lefty. It's been our intuition since you first started feeding yourself and now that you're throwing balls, we still think its the case.
- Speaking of, you have a heck of a good arm for a 21-month old. You can chuck the ball across the entire living room. We're trying to teach you not to throw it at Kinnick or people's faces.
- You tell us when you go "poo poo" in your diaper. Your daddy is ready to potty train, but Mommy isn't so sure.
- You absolutely love dogs and you have no fear of them. You love yelling "Doggy!" out the window when you see one walk by. Same thing when we are on walks and meet/pass one.
- You are incredibly detail-oriented. You pick up tiny pieces of fuzz off the floor, off your clothes, off of furniture--wherever--all the time!
- You hate shoes and socks. It's a rare occasion when you leave them on.
- You are a pretty picky eater; though you'll never turn down a "nack".
- You are crazy and ornery. You will randomly yell at the top of your lungs and purposely run into things and fall down for the attention.
- You hate letting us down. You don't get in trouble all that often, but when you do, you cry big time over disappointing us.
- You are the sweetest--you randomly give hugs and kisses, and hold our hands while in parking lots.
- Your favorite things to watch on t.v. (or the iPad) are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Elmo's World, and Wheel of Fortune.
- You never want to leave daycare. No matter if it's Mommy or Daddy that picks you up, you often cling to and cry for Miss Stephanie.
- You are aware of the baby in Mama's belly, though I don't think you truly know what it means. Regardless, I think you're going to be the best big brother!
- You still don't smile for the camera, but make the funniest expressions (on and off camera).
Phrases at 21 Months:
"Oh no!"
"Whoa!"
"Help peas."
"More peas." or "I want more peas."
"May I be cacused?"
"No no no." (While pointing)
"I tooted."
"Where Dada?"
"Where Ki-Ki?"
"I Wuh You"
Size: 27ish pounds
Food: You are quite picky these days, at home anyway, though Miss Stephanie says you eat almost anything (including veggies) for her at daycare. You love any and all fruits and your diet consists mostly of fruit, cheese, cottage cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets (dipped in ketchup), and snacks. Though we do encourage you to try new things and give you whatever we eat for dinner each night.
Sleep: About 11 hours each night. We attempted to transition to one afternoon nap per day around 18 months, but have since altered that to one late-morning nap each day due to you never lasting through lunch. Naps are usually 1 to 2.5 hours in length, average I would say is 2 hours.
Bedtime/Waketime: Bedtime is around 7:30/7:45pm. Wake time ranges from 6:00 to 7:00am.
Hair: Blond. (And you've had two haircuts at this point: the first at 19 months old and the second a week ago.)
Eyes: Blue
Teeth: No idea. It's way too hard to get into your mouth and count them!
Wardrobe: 24 month/2T shirts, 18-24 month/2T shorts and pants, and size 5 shoes.
Diapers: Size 4
Mommy's Fave: I love when I'm getting ready to leave each morning, you say "Bye bye Mama, I wuh you."
I've said it before, and I'll say it again (a million times), you make being a mommy so much fun, Brantley! These past 21 months have truly been the best! I look forward to seeing you take on the role of big brother/buddy to your little bro and look forward to watching you grow!
Love you lots, Stinker, Sweetie Pie, and Brantley Boy!
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