What Léo has been up to

My baby turned 18 months old yesterday! He's a full-on toddler now -but he's still my baby. In some ways he is mature -he talks more, he understands us, he runs and hides, and his brain is in constant motion- and in some ways he's still really young -he cannot control his emotions, he still wants to be rocked before going to bed. He is pretty tall (98th percentile) and fairly lean (70th percentile). His hair is full of curls. He is a picky eater but he's healthy -he loves Nutella and cookies but also all fruits and asparagus. He repeats a lot of words but can only say 2 or 3 phonemes "ba" for ball, "buh" for bird and bus, "abo" for apple and avion (plane, in French), etc. He loves to say "non!" He waves a lot, he dances and sings non stop, he loves being chased, he runs all the time, he walks backward every day for fun, and he tries to jump every time we're in elevators (go figure!).

We had a mini-conference with his daycare director and she said that he's very observant, doesn't smile that much unless he means it, plays on his own a lot, and overall is pretty reserved. That about blew my mind because at home he laughs all the time. He definitely is shy -something we have to know and respect. He is finally starting to pick up books -this morning Joe took him out of the crib after he woke up and instead of running into the living room he sat in his bedroom and chose books from his baby-library. I'm so glad about that! He loves everything Elmo (well, mainly songs from Sesame Street) and trains. He likes pointing at planes in the sky. He loves helping by walking the dogs and opening the garage door.

Sometimes he throws tantrums -he very carefully lowers himself on the ground and just lays there! I have to say I'm not good at setting boundaries and limits and he can pretty much get away with anything with me. Yup, I'm *that* parent! I'm aware of it and working on it.

Oh, and last but not least HE SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT consistently. Oooooh yeah! At home he still takes 2 naps per day during the weekend but we feel that this routine might end soon. When he was born he slept for about 19-20 hours per day so we know this baby needs sleep to function well. So do we. We have a deal!

That's it. We have a very funny, loving, kind, determined, joyful child. I love him more than words can express. He is my world.

 He loves having "fun" at the park (ha!).

 And sometimes he's serious.

 And his hair is always a bit crazy.

But that doesn't prevent him from being a ladies' man. That's his daycare girlfriend, Grace. (Their shirts match!)

 He loves Elmo. He also loves feeding Elmo!

Mainly he's just a funny, healthy, beautiful kiddo!