Unspeakable JOY...

Unspeakable JOY is what I titled this post because I cannot even put into words the JOY I feel for this boy! He brings JOY to my soul! I haven't written much on the blog for a long time because I think pictures say it best. . . I feel overwhelmed when I sit down & try to put into words how I feel about Reddington. He turned 18 months old a.k.a 1 1/2 this month (Aug 5). I could easily say, "Where has time time gone?" but then I feel like I'm announcing that we haven't soaked up every minute with our boy--- & we have! I know exactly where the last year & a half have gone. . . We've traveled, loved, laughed, read, played, jumped, tickled, walked, crawled, cried, stitched, mowed, ate, celebrated, kissed, shopped, snuggled, fallen, hugged, & just about anything else you can think of with a little one that's as lovable as this! The Mr. is cracking up in the pic above. This is his letter "R" that we have been trying to take pics with once in awhile to show his growth. Apparently it made a great little seat for him- just his size!

18 Month Stats:

Weight: 26 lbs

Height: 32 3/4 inches

50th Percetile for Weight & Height

Reddington, what are you up to these days?

*You are one very busy boy; you're into everything! You are either running or sleeping. Numerous people have commented on this. ("That boy doesn't stop!") I don't think we're going to have ANY trouble getting you involved in activities or outside to play. You ALWAYS want to be outside. Every single evening you go to the back door & point & sign "please" because you want to play on the deck with all of your oustide toys, including your new horse, CJ. You love being outside with your Dad-- sitting in, on, climbing up & down all of his mud trucks & vehicles.

*You have recently decided that you love to read. This makes my heart happy! Your favorite books are: "The Story of the Little Mole Who Went in Search of Whodunit" "Mickey Mouse" & "Goodnight, Chicago" There are certain pages & actions that we do that you love so you always go straight to those pages only. We don't even know what the rest of the book is about. Ha!

*You're working on the sign for "I love you." You can sign: drink, hungry, all done, please, & more.

*Talking gets better each day! You can say: baby, mama, dada, mimi, papa, no, bink, & ball. You say others from time to time but are consistent with these.

*You love animals- especially dogs. Anytime one comes on t.v. you get so excited, point, & smile. You will let them lick your face all they want & you're not scared one bit.

*Sleep has never been an issue for you which makes me VERY thankful. You are currently in the "Back to School" mode. This means going to bed about 7:30 p.m. & having Daddy wake you at 6:15 a.m. You take a 2.5-3.5 hour nap at Stacey's each day.

*Food- you are just like your Mama with textures. There are certain ones that you just won't tolerate. Other than that, you LOVE to eat & have a hard time if others are eating in front of you. You do, however, want to feed yourself 100%. That makes eating times VERY messy. If the situation doesn't allow a mess (away from home) we will order you something that you will love without making a complete mess.

*Teeth- Yesterday I counted 10 teeth & working on #11. I wouldn't know if I didn't look as you don't ever cry or fuss so teething must not be an issue for you.

*You have been cuddling even more lately- especially if you don't want to get dressed, change your diaper, be put down, etc. You will hold on tight & not let us put you down with your head on our shoulder. Oh my word it is so darn sweet!

Reddington, your smile is endless. I'm so thankful that you get to spend your life with us! We've always said that we want more for you than we've ever wanted for ourselves & that continues to be true. You are growing into such a little 'man' and we are even more crazy about you now than we were when you first arrived & we were told, "It's a BOY!" What memories that statement brings back. The best memories of my life involve you. Thank you for calling me "Mama" & making me smile every single day of my life. I am so proud of you. . . the best is yet to come!

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes." ~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.