Wednesday, March 9, 2011

eighteen months.

when my kindergarten and first grade students insist that they are five and a half or six and three quarters, i always giggle at their silliness. but, today, i am realizing the serious validation of those halves and quarters...because today, my baby is one and a half! today my sweet choi boy is halfway between one and two. eek! how the heck did that happen so quickly?!

to commemorate this very special month-iversary for this very special boy, i want to share a very special list.

i present to you eighteen things i love about my eighteen month-old:
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1. i love those teeny tiny little dimples. choi boy has two on each side and i love when they show up while he's chewing or talking.
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SO cute!

2. i love that choi boy is learning new words every day. he's picked up more animal sounds (my favorite is his tiny lion roar) and "pah!" for piper, but my current favorite is cb's version of "thank you," which sounds like "achoo!"

3. i love that choi boy goes through his day making random sound effects. there is no danger of him sneaking up on anyone because he's always making sounds. his latest thing is trying to whistle. it's hilarious!
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this is cb's "ooh whee! oooooooh wheeeee!"

4. i love that choi boy is such a little ham. as you saw with his cowboy boots and hat, choi boy loves being the center of attention and if you cheer him on, it just futher encourages him. we may have a future class clown on our hands. ;)

5. i love choi boy's expressive eyes. i love that he makes them big and wide when he's excited about something or curious about something or if he knows he's doing something naughty...though, that last one makes it super hard to keep a straight face when we're trying to tell him to stop whatever naughty thing he's doing!
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6. actually, i love choi boy's expressions in general. this one just says, "say what, umma?!"
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7. i love choi boy's curiosity. he loves getting up close and into things and discovering how they work. unfortunately for us, this resulted in cb figuring out how to pop out our socket covers...so much for child-proof.

8. choi boy is also super observerant. i love that he can point out things he recognizes everywhere we go. he has a knack for spotting animals and babies and sesame street characters, which are, apparently, everywhere! the other day we were at the supermarket (wegman's, natch) and of course we got in the *one* checkout line that had elmo balloons. i didn't even realize they were there until cb was shouting "ehmo! EHMO! EH-MO!!!!" the ENTIRE time we were checking out. it was slightly embarassing, but mostly super cute. ;)

9. i love that cb sits with his ankles crossed. like, all the time.
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so very proper.
incidently, that's how i sleep. either that way or with my legs crossed like a "4". anyone else?

10. as hard has it is to keep up with him, i love how fast choi boy can move. he is *constantly* on the go and does the cutest/strangest little run where he throws his arms back behind him. i think it's because it's more aerodynamically beneficial. he's so smart.

11. i love that choi boy loves to give high-fives and fist bumps. if you ask him to "pound it," he will most happily give you a fist bump followed by an explosion where you "blow up" your fists. cb is *so* hip.

12. choi boy's been doing this fake laugh where he covers his mouth with his hands. lately, he's been following his fake laugh with this scrunchy face.
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i. LOVE. it.

you want to see it again?

okay!
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oh, once more?

i'm only happy to oblige.
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13. i love choi boy's love of books. we keep a few favorites in his crib and he falls asleep after some reading and as soon as he wakes up, he likes to read a bit, too. when he wants you to read him a book, he'll turn his back towards you and back into your lap. so sweet!

14. i love that when choi boy wakes up in the morning, he'll call out for us and then take his time rolling around, cuddling with his stuffed pups, and reading before he actually stands up and reaches out for us. it's like he just needs a few moments to wake himself up before facing the day. who doesn't?

15. choi boy loves to give hugs and i love them.
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especially when they come with sloppy, open-mouthed kisses. ;)

16. i love how choi boy fits right into our food-gorging food-loving family. the boy just loves to eat! and he totally knows how to savor the flavor.
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17. for his first birthday, we sent choi boy a care package which included a stuffed dog that looked remarkably like piper. we named her mini, as in mini piper. mini came back home with choi boy (we were SO thankful that cb's foster mom included it in his things) and just recently, choi boy has become attached to mini. i love watching him cuddle with mini and rub one of her paws on his cheek as he falls asleep. it is just the sweetest!

and finally, 18.

i love
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this
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SMILE.

i just warms my heart and fills it til it feels like it's going to BURST.



love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, LOVE my eighteen month old.

happy, happy one and a half, choi boy!

21 comments:

  1. happy eighteen months cb!
    i still can't get over how well-dressed this kid is. he puts me to shame. daily.

    and i also happen to think cb is SUPER smart...like way smarter than most 18 month olds!

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  2. Happy 18 months CB!! I know, the whole halfway to two thing really wigged me out too. It just sneaks up on you. CB is sooooo ridiculously cute. I love this series of photos and all his awesome expressions (and that super cute green cardigan on him!) Those dimples are adorable. Crazy adorable. I also noticed a lot of similarities with Max - also crosses his ankles ALL THE TIME. Also backs up into our laps when he wants to have a book read to him. I can't believe he figured out the socket covers -oy! He is a smart cookie, that one :)

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  3. Happy half birthday, CB! Half birthdays are just important as real ones in our household!

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  4. yay for 1.5 years! he is a gorgeous little boy with tons of character (from what i can see) and i'm so glad for you and the hubby. fab pics too! big big hugs to you and choiboy from far away!

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  5. Matthew does the ankle crossing thing too! Do you think it could have to do with the position they are used to from being carried on the back? Just a thought.

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  6. Happy year-and-a-half birthday to CB. What a sweet scrunchy face he has!

    I love how much in love you are with your boy, and I love how natural this mommy thing is coming to you. CB and you (and Peter too) make a great team!

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  7. Happy 18 months to CB! I love that green sweater. He looks so handsome! He is such a smart, fun little guy. I can't believe he can pull off socket covers! Wow! It definitely sounds like you are enjoying life as the Mama of Choi Boy!

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  8. Happy 18 months CB!!! You are too adorable and I am in love with your preppy outfit!

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  9. Happy 18 mos CB!!! What a fun, smart little guy. I loved all the photos and tidbits. The crossing the legs thing is so darn cute.

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  10. Happy 18 months CB!!! There are so many things I love about this post... the photos, the outfit, the super cute boy... all the funny things he does. The "halves" kind of sneak up on you... I felt that way at 1.5 and at 2.5. I was just getting used to saying "he's one" or "he's two" and then it was time to edit that! Oh boy.

    (And if you'd like to experience a 0 to 60mph wake-up... I'll gladly send Spencer to you for a night!)

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  11. Happy Mirthday CB! Savour the flavour pic = Amazing.

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  12. Happy half-birthday, CB!

    Hey, I just realized, his half-birthday is my birthday, and vice versa. Fun fact! :D

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  13. I'm so thankful for this blooooooooog. he's so cute. HOW DO YOU CAPTURE THESE MOMENTS?! The photos are perfect illustrations. Love it!

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  14. Happy 1 1/2 birthday CB! My kids find those 1/4s and 1/2s so important! Now I giggle, but they're young there is SUCH a difference b/w 12 and 18 months!

    Those eyes! Those beautiful, expressive eyes! I was thinking it before you wrote it! So adorable!

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  15. That is one supercute and precious little dude!! I don't know how you keep from kissing all the skin off of that beautiful face!! Happy 18th month, CB!

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  16. Happy 18 months, CB! A year and a half is such a milestone! CB is the cutest! LOOOOVE those dimples. Sheesh!

    Maddyx also backs in for reading, does the fake laugh with the scrunchy face (how awesome is that?), the slow wake up in his crib and definitely shares the love for food!

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  17. What a special fun time 18 months is! Dimples too - such a sweetie!

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  18. happy 18 months, little man! how cute is he in that little green sweater?!! i love your list of 18 things....what a loving, silly and oh so smart little boy he is. :)

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  19. Happy 18 months CB! Great pictures - he's adorable! Dimples are the best. Wesley totally does the crossing ankles thing and it's one of my favorite things he does. So funny that a lot of the other little boys do it! Fab post!

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  20. i sleep with my legs in the "4" position as well!

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  21. Great update. I just love all the little tidbits about your little man. He has such a sweet personality, and is such a blessing to your family. I can see why you are so in love with that beautiful smile.

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