“The Age of Maximum Cuteness”

To My Sweet Little G,

Today you are 18 months old, also known in our family as “The Age of Maxium Cuteness, ” a phrase coined by your Great Grandfather, Gordon Teague.

And you know what, you are living up to it.

You are pretty cute right now, I have to say. You need proof. Ok fine. Here it is.

And here’s a list of things to prove it as well.

Here’s a list of most of the words you say right now: Mama, Dada, MeowMeow (a.k.a cat), No-No!, Yes, Bah-Bah (as in bye-bye, not sheep), hi, nigh-nigh (night night), Anna, Beh (for Ben), BAHWL (for ball), Wow, bear (kinda like you have a Boston accent), and Oh No!

You also still do signs for “eat,” “milk,” and “more” and use them quite often.

You and “Beh” like to play silly “games” together now including one where he gets you to nod across the table at meal time either “yes” or “no” and the two of you giggle like crazy as he switches very fast and you follow. You also like to play “chase” where he sort of tackles you once he catches you and more giggling ensues.

He also likes to get you to point to the parts of your body (see video at the end of this post). One of your favorite places to point is your “poupeck, ” which is the Czech word for belly button (as a side note here, please don’t forget you are half Czech, k?)

You like to act “shy” a lot by turning your chin down to your left or right shoulder and getting a sort of pouty look on your face. I wish I had a picture.

Oh and by the way, you’re a lot smarter than you want to let on sometimes and I am on to you Mister! Like the other night when you were acting up while I was trying to put your diaper on after bath and you kept rolling over and screaming, while arching your back, making it virtually impossible for me to complete the task. I looked you in the eye and said that you could let me put your diaper on or go to your crib and you immediately stopped and layed on you back and let me finish. Yeah, I know you understand…

And your run, which I still need to get on video as well. It’s so funny and cute because you put your entire lower body all in when you run and your booty does this crazy back and forth, hip shake thingy!

Unfortunately you like to throw things lately and last week you hit brother in the face and hurt him under the eye. He was not happy. I know you are still learning but “No throwing!” okay? But when you or “brother” do have a little issue with one another it’s so cute how you hug and make up. I am so glad you have each other even if there are moments when you don’t want ot share.

You are an awesome baby to put to bed. Most nights we just put you in your crib and you are out within a matter of minutes, with no fussing and a blanket on either side to snuggle up to. I have to admit that makes me a little nervous but that’s the way you want it.

Brushing your teeth is an ENTIRELY. DIFFERENT. story. We currently call that part of the bedtime routine the “Chinese Water Torture.” (Disclaimer: I have no idea where that came from and mean no disrespect to any ethnicity.) You scream and kick like mad. What is up with that anyway? We’ve tried the nice approach, honestly we have.

You like to take your food OUT OF THE CONTAINER YOURSELF. Cookies, you want to pull them out of the huge Costco bucket BY YOUR SELF. The fruit snacks you are now addicted to (note to self: must buy more of those) MUST be taken BY YOU out of the little bag they come it. If someone else, ANYONE else tries to take them out for you…..well ,it’s not pretty. Not pretty AT. ALL. Exhibit A: You and your cookies.

Speaking of eating, you are actually already quite good with a spoon because you know why? You haven’t let me feed you since you were like 7 months old and I figured I’d just let you go at it. And because of that, you’re pretty darn good.

You do have fun at bath time but you can’t stand being washed and always try to climb out of the tub.

Personally, I think you have “space” issues. No snuggling (please, just a little?), no one else feeding you, no washing. I think I just sort of figured you out, you little 1 and a 1/2 year old. See, even blogging can bring epiphanies…

And now, so that you can see how cute you are, I have a little video for your viewing pleasure (p.s. your brother is pretty cute in it too.)

In all seriousness, I love you my little boy and you light up our lives every single day. I Thank God for the joy and love you bring to our family. Happy 18 Months!