18 month old Theo

   Theo. Clone of your father. Lover of kitchen spatulas. Shunner of toys. You are 18 months old. You are so full of life. Everything you do is full-tilt. You bang your spatulas against the couch with all your might. You climb on the couch 5,000 times a day to try and reach things you know you shouldn't (like blinds or lamps). Right now you are going through a hitting phase. You hit when you are mad, you hit when you are glad, and every emotion in between. Your poor cousin Delaney asked her sister Averey to switch places with her on the couch because she feared sitting by you might result in an injury. We kinda don't know what to do except be consistent and pray that you quickly outgrow this phase.

Pressed up against sliding glass door: "Let me out!"

Making a mess in the pantry.

  But you love with equal intensity. You give us kisses and waves and high fives all. day. long. You wave to everyone in public (even when we are in the car and fellow drivers can't see your insistent waving). It's gotten to the point that if I'm in a hermit mood and don't want to talk to strangers at the store, I don't take you because your charming demeanor makes friends and strikes up conversations.

   You also have favorites. Poppa (Paul's dad) is your favorite person on the planet. Forget us (your parents) when he is around because you are OBSESSED with him! Kaelynn Thomas is your other bestie. Spending this summer with the Thomas kids you made it abundantly clear that you prefer her to anyone when you would scream loudly should anyone try and take you from her arms...
  You have the most adorable gait. Your left leg is bowed in a bit and so when you run we get a little nervous. Dr. Douglas says you should outgrow it by the time you are 2 and so until then, we are not far behind you, holding our breath...
  Another little habit we are hopeful will disappear by 2 is your infatuation with binkeys. You love them. At your 18 month check-up, the Dr. walked into the exam room and you had two binkeys in each hand and one in your mouth. I've honestly given up trying to take them from you for now.. I'm too tired with your new sister. She, by the way, does not seem to like binkeys, but you have redeemed hers by adopting them as your own (you don't discriminate against pink and purple ones apparently)...

  I'm so in love with you. When I watch you I try and freeze time in my mind. I always want to remember you at this age. You get more and more fun with time. We are obsessed with you Theo Judah...