19 months!

Weight: 27 pounds

Height: 34.75 inches
Shoes: 6.5 extra-wide

I'm happy to see that your weight is starting to catch up with your height. That might be due to all the chilli and curry you've been eating lately... You've gained about two pounds since your 18 month check-up! I also had to include you shoe size this month because I finally got your feet measured and bought you some proper shoes. For the past few months I'd been struggling to get any shoes on your feet, and once I did, you would pull them off after a few minutes. A very helpful sales woman at Stride Rite let us know that you not only have extra-wide feet, but also very thick feet. She showed us two pairs of shoes (in the entire store) that would work for your special feet and also suggested the thinnest socks. All this time I had been stuffing you into shoes that were too small in thick, cushy socks. I felt horrible!! Needless to say, we purchased both pairs. You love them so much that you want to put them on as soon as you get out of bed. (What a difference a proper fit makes!) Aren't they cute?

It's hard to believe that just a month ago we were spending our days at pools and lakes... Fall is here and with it came a new schedule. We started three new classes this month. We have Toddlin' Tykes on Wednesdays, Music Together on Fridays, and you go to school (all by your little self) on Tuesday mornings. This proved to be a more difficult transition for me than for you. I had mixed feelings about it since you're only a year and a half, but I felt like it would be good for you. The week before, we met your teacher, checked out the classroom, and got a copy of your schedule. You and I talked about "school" for several days and about all the fun things that you would do there. Even so, I was stressed about it, afraid that you'd be traumatized by my absence. The night before, I was about ready to cancel... When it was time to leave on the big day, you grabbed your blanket and lunch box, walked to the back door, and said "let's go!" Hmmm.... You seemed excited; maybe this wasn't going to be so bad.

When we got there, you immediately saw your friend from across the street, and shouted her name. You ran right in and didn't look back. I reassured your teacher to call me if you became upset. I left, feeling a little heart broken, and went for a quick rollerblade. I wanted to get home in case you needed me. I bussied myself getting things done around the house. I never received a call. When I went to pick you up, I expected that you'd be thrilled to see me. Not so much. You didn't want to leave. In fact, you were having so much fun playing with the toy kitchen set that you had a tantrum when I picked you up to go. The teacher said you did a great job and that you're very confident. She couldn't believe that you just turned 18 months. I left feeling very proud.

You've been several times now and it's going great. In fact, I think you love school (you get that from me). It's a win-win because I'm thoroughly enjoying having three whole hours to myself Tuesday mornings. It's pretty amazing how much I can accomplish in such a short amount of time. Last week, daddy and I even snuck away for a quick brunch. It felt like we were on vacation.

Your favorite words this month are no, down, more, and eyebrow. The first two are often directed at KG. You really enjoy bossing him around. Thank goodness he's so patient with you! He even tolerates you walking him around the house on his leash and lets you use him as a pillow. He's a pretty awesome big brother! Who said Jack Russell's aren't good with kids? I beg to differ!

You continue to live up to your nickname "Action Jackson." Apparently, you fell three times at school last week. When I came to pick you up you had a cut by your eye and a scratch and bruise on your cheek. I even had to sign an accident report.

About a week before that, when I put you down for a nap without your sleep sack, you managed to climb dive-bomb out of your crib. I heard a loud thud, followed by a scream. When I entered your room you were kneeling on the floor. You stopped crying once I picked you up, which led me to believe that you were okay- just a little scared. Thankfully, all of your limbs were spared. I guess you'll be sleeping in your sleep sack until I'm ready to transition you into a toddler bed, or until you figure out how to climb out with that on. I wouldn't put it past you... You also had a fall at the park the other day that left you with a skinned elbow.

It doesn't help that you're a climber... These pics both look like accidents waiting to happen. What are we going to do with you? I've definitely thought about dressing you in full hockey gear or making you a suit out of bubble wrap.

Daddy and I have had so much fun doing "Fall" things with you over the past few weeks. We took a trip to Minnetonka Orchards where you sipped some apple cider, ran away from mommy and daddy, got your face painted, and made friends with a goat.

You love watching the Vikings with daddy in your Adrian Peterson jersey. He even taught you how to cheer "touchdown," which is relevant this year because they're actually scoring touchdowns...

You also love playing in leaves...

...except when they cause you to slip.

This morning, we celebrated your 19-month birthday at the Arboretum. It was a cold, but beautiful day! We couldn't find any of your winter hats from last year so you had to wear one of daddy's. Surprisingly, it fit pretty well!

Happy 19 months, peanut!
Love, Mom