Undalay, Undalay! I am unstoppable. I get so excited sometimes that I scream, while doing squats, clenching my fists, and stomping my feet. I disco dance in the kitchen, with dad’s laser and the stereo booming. I run laps around the house, but outside they restrain me in a puppy dog harness and leash.

At my 15month checkup, I was 32” tall and I weighed 25lbs. I’m a big boy!

 I talk!

• “Mommy”
• “Dad”
• “Baby”
• “Bye”
• “Hi”
• “No Way!”
• “Whoa!”
• “yah”
• “blue”
• “two”
• “shoe”
• “bird”
• “doggie”

The doctor said that at 18months, I’ll learn a new word every two hours!

Let’s see… what else do I do… I hang out with dad in the yard:

I like to throw things into the toilet and flush. I like to take food out of the cupboard, take a bite, and put it back. I like sucking on the pepper and salt shakers. My favorite things to eat are ribs, watermelon, shrimp, and shoes. The freezer is “the dessert drawer.” When mommy and daddy open it for ice cream and cocktails, I smuggle ice cubes.

I have become very helpful. Mommy gives me things to carry and I love to put things away. I fetch her slippers and start the laundry machine. I also know how to operate the dishwasher, fridge, and the laptop DVD drive. I LOVE buttons big and small! Sometimes I put things in my never-to-be-found-again place (dad is still searching for the remote control). We’ve started a 10gallon piggy bank, and dad gives me coins to deposit every day.

Martha and Raeleen (my caregivers) came for a “home visit” What a surprise to see them at my door! daddy made them a steak barbeque while I showed them around the house, and then they all shared stories about me. My favorite girl at school is Frieda. She’s purrrdy.

Daddy took us to the county fair, and we saw goats, sheep, cows, horses, chickens, roosters, and a GIANT train!

When we’re on the boat, daddy puts me in a life jacket and harness. Mommy and dad drink champagne Sunday mornings while I wave and holler at every passing paddler, sailor, and seagull. I love sleeping in the aft cabin and watch everyone through the port holes.

When Mommy comes home from work, I tug on her skirt and pull her to my bedroom to play with toys. My favorite is the truck that says, “Fire up the rear turbos!” and “Light ‘em up, good buddy.”  We play underwater crash-up derby in the bathtub every night. I know how to wash my hair by myself. It’s Such Joy to unplug the drain in the bathtub and then try to stop the water with my hands, feeling it gushing through my fingers. While we’re air-drying, we lay cheek-down on the soft, plushy bath mat.

The Grandmas were fantastic while momma and dada were on vacation. I got to eat Spaghetti-Os and Goldfish. We played dominos and went for long walks. Grandma taught me to nod my head like a cowboy (like, “yessm”). I had a few tantrums, but they just sat back and watched. Toddlers are skilled protesters. We know how to go limp and become impossible to carry. If mommy tries to lift me up by the rib cage, I raise my arms above my head and slip right out. Mommy and daddy are taking a “Positive Discipline” class and they’re reading a very thick school book… not sure where that will lead.