Really? 18 Months?

Yep, Nico is 18 months old today. I really do not feel like my baby should be this old yet, but he is and he continues to try to more independent every day. I have to say, that Nico is a pretty amazing kid. He has learned so much in the last few months and continues to be a human sponge, soaking everything in that he can. Nico is able to point to over 10 body parts, along with various animals, make some of their sounds and point to other random objects within books. He also participates in so much pretend play now, especially involving cars or trains. Nico loves to drive his cars around the house, imitating motor sounds, and now enjoys completing puzzles and playing with shape sorters.

Lately, our little man has become a monkey and is climbing all over the furniture, inparticular the kitchen table. We have to be on guard because we never know what Nico's plan is once he reaches the top. Sometimes, if Nico climbs up on the couch or on a chair, he will just sit, looking like a small adult, but then there are times when he decides he wants to jump off of whatever he is on and you better be ready to catch him!

As our angel gets older and his personality continues to develop, so does his opinions, likes and dislikes. If a show is on that is not one of Nico's preferences, he will look at us and shake his head 'no'. If we ignore this nonverbal then he will bring either one of us the remote and in his "Nico language" will ask for the channel to be changed. Nico can usually get across to Mommy and Daddy what he wants, whether it be a snack, more of something-anything, to play outside, or needing a drink.

Nico tries hard to communicate his needs and wants with us, but it can often be frustrating for him when are unable to understand what he is trying to tell us. This frustration often leads to Nico falling onto the floor crying. Our poor little man knows he should be able to talk to us to some extent. He has fantastic receptive skills, good inflection when babbling and does so as if having conversations with us; however, at this point there is definitely a lack of meaningful words.

Nico had his 18 month check up pediatrician appointment today and our growing boy is meeting all of his milestones and then some, with the exception of his expressive language. So we are going to try our hand at some speech therapy for a little while to see is where it takes us. I am at least lucky to have many connections in this area of expertise. A dear friend of mine who actually watches Nico for me during the week, is a speech therapist, and then with being in the business of educational diagnostics, I know more speech paths than I can shake a stick at.

Here is to my big baby boy who is now 18 months old. I love you Nico-man, you mean more than the world to me and I am so proud of you!