1.5...

1.5 years, 18 months, a year and a half--However you say it, our little buster is growing up! He went to the nursery at church yesterday for the first time. Overall, I would call the experience a success (with a few rough moments). He went right in, started playing with the toys/other kids, and didn't even notice or care when Greg and I left. He was like, "Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Dad and Mom." With about 5 minutes left in Sunday School, the door opened and we heard the most heartbreaking cry. Greg and I looked at each other and both said, "That's Garrett." By the time I got to him, he was as brokenhearted as I've seen him in awhile. The nursery leader told me he was doing great and having a good time until they put the toys away and got the kids in chairs for the lesson, and then he had a total meltdown. Poor kid--can't say I blame him--I would also rather play with toys than listen to a lesson. :) He calmed down after a few minutes and I took him back in, just in time for the snack. He went right to the table, sat in his little chair, and ate his goldfish like a champion. Lucky for him, it was playtime again and he was a happy little man when they pulled the toys back out. He played the rest of the time and came home tired and ready for a good nap. (SCORE!) I've heard horror stories about kids adjusting to nursery, so this didn't seem too bad.

We visited the doctor today for Garrett's check-up. He is weighing in at 26.5 lbs (59%) and is 34.5 inches tall (93%). His little head is holding steady in the 50th percentile. He is doing great overall and is healthy and happy. Of course he didn't like the shots, but he has been quite fascinated with the yellow Roadrunner band-aids, so I guess it's all good.

For those who care (like his grandparents), here are a few of his recent happenings/milestones:

--He is a chatterbox and always has something to say. We only understand about 5 words of it, but that doesn't stop him. He consistently says, "Da," "Mom," "Hi," "Mama (Grandma)" "Yes" and a few other things I can't think of. If you catch him in the right mood, he will repeat anything you say, which is always good for a laugh.

--He is a little monkey! He loves to climb on EVERYTHING. (The other day he climbed on the table and we found him drinking a can of Diet Coke Greg left out.) Usually after we catch him climbing up/on something, we call him a "monkey," at which point he always shakes his finger at us and we have to say, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed." And then he laughs...

--He loves us to sing "hand songs" (for lack of a better word) to him. We usually do the "5 Little Ducks" about 50 times a day. He also loves "5 Little Monkeys" and "Where is Thumbkin?" It is so funny to watch him try to imitate us with his little hands.

--I like to say that Garrett is "no respecter of animals." He loves them all, and they all say "ruff." Just ask him and he'll tell you. "What does the doggie say?" "Ruff." "What does the horsey say?" "Ruff." It's great. We'll be walking or driving around and he'll see any sort of animal and start saying, "Ruff. Ruff. Ruff." (Confession--we haven't tried too hard to teach him the other animal sounds because it cracks me up every time we pass a cow/sheep/horse/cat and he barks.)

--He is a friendly little guy and loves to play with other kids. He is fascinated by babies--hopefully that will last until at least the beginning of February.

--His red hair continues to cause a stir wherever we go. People love to talk about it and we get stopped everywhere for people to ask him, "Where did you get your red hair?"

--His "No More Bath" campaign seems to have ended--thankfully!!! He has been doing better (not screaming violently) the past few weeks during his bath, and today he tried to climb in the tub by himself, so I put him in and he had a grand time. We're hoping it lasts.

-He is a great little eater and will eat about anything. He especially loves Oreos and Diet Coke when he gets them from his dad, but will also eat his veggies for mom. He especially loves picking/eating fresh tomatoes and raspberries. He will eat just about a whole turkey steak by himself and can never get enough cheese and raisins, so I guess those would be his favorite foods.

--Major knock on wood, but he is still a champion sleeper. He goes to bed at about 9:00 PM and usually sleeps until at least 9:00 AM. Occasionally he'll have a rough night or wake up early, but he's usually really good. He still takes a 2-3 hour nap each afternoon, which I greatly enjoy! He is a wild man when he's awake and usually goes to bed exhausted each night. Greg and I often have to remind ourselves that all of our children will probably not sleep this well, but we'll take it for now!

--He is a big-time Daddy's Boy. He runs to Greg with his arms up every time he sees him and has a total meltdown every time Greg leaves. He loves to go for rides with his dad in the truck down to the new house to see the horses, dog, and birds.

I could go on forever about our little guy, but you get the point. He's a typical toddler and although it's corny and cliche, he really does bring so much joy into our lives and we are grateful every day for the opportunity to have him in our family.

In other news--the house is being framed (pics to come) and we have the big 20 week ultrasound (aka--boy or girl) on Wednesday!