Paul at 21 Months

Here's a look at Paul at 21 months....

• He is just cute. Period.
• The best way to describe him is all boy. He loves cars, trucks, trains, and Bob the Builder. (In fact he has a car in each hand as I'm typing and he's trying to figure out a way to hold a couple more). His "all boyness" also translates into temper tantrums, yelling, and hitting when he's mad...although the hitting is getting MUCH better and only happens rarely now.
• He doesn't walk. He is either climbing or running.
• He's still "stout" and his cheeks jiggle when he runs.
• His biggest challenge is that he's still not talking. I know he understands what we're talking about because he's able to follow directions very well. I can tell him to put the lid on his water bottle and go put it in the sink and he'll do it. Sometimes yelling while he's doing it because he doesn't want to, but he'll still do it. Not being able to tell us what he wants often leads to him being frustrated. He's getting evaluated for speech therapy in a couple weeks and hopefully that will get him started.

• According to the doctors surveys he is ahead in every other developmental area, especially fine motor.
• He is the door police. If he's anywhere close, he is the only one allowed to open or close doors.
• He is a total ham and loves to be the center of attention. He gets a big kick out of making people laugh and does it as often as he can.
• He LOVES Sammi. When she's gone (at school or wherever) he runs around looking for her and then laughs and runs to her when she gets home.

• He'll give hugs and kisses but is not NEARLY as affectionate as Samantha. He's very picky on when he'll give you love.
• He doesn't suck a thumb or pacifier (never did) but is very attached to his blanket. It doesn't happen so much during the day, but at night or if people are gone for an extended period he won't let it go.
• He loves swimming and isn't afraid AT ALL of the water. It's great, but makes me very nervous and I have to watch him EVERY second.
• He is a cleaner. I think living with Dad Dad has rubbed off on him. If he spills water he runs over to get a towel and clean it up. He is also happy to pick up his toys and will sometimes do it without being prompted.
• He makes the best faces.
• His favorite foods are cereal and PB&J and his favorite dessert is anything.
• He will dance whenever music comes on. Often this is with his tongue out and eyes looking toward the sky. Then he'll stop to check and see if we're watching/laughing. If we are, he'll keep going. If we're not, he'll yell until we are.
• He is such a sweet and fun kid to have around the house.