18 months

Ryan had his 18 month well visit checkup last month.  Here are some points from Ryan's 18th anniversary of his birth.

1. He is still a beast, weighing in at 29 pounds and stretching to 33 inches.  Although he weighs a lot, he is slimming down, but remains solid and tall.

A dust busting, hardhard-toting beast

2. He is a very normal second child, one who emulates his brother's every move.  Most recently, wearing beads at a Fat Tuesday celebration in The Villages.

3. He is doing well in the "speaking" category.  With a good sense of context and some long-term exposure, one can figure out some of the more common ones he uses:
Bay or bee: baby
Ma: mom
Da: dad
Bra: Brother (Thomas)
Nah: Nana
Bay-uh: Bear, as in Papa Bear
Pa: Papa, as in Papa Wuff
Neee:  horse (who says neeee)
Wuff or now, more frequently, daw: dog
Shree: tree
Bah: blanket (which Ryan loves)
Bah: bye
baw: ball (which he LOVES)

4. He's isn't that sick. Even though it seems that between getting the last round of teeth, battling ear infections, catching a cold and most recently, getting RSV (a respiratory virus), the doctor assured me that even with three ear infections and a couple of colds in the last two months, Ryan is sick less than most other children, who get between 9-11 colds per year.  The RSV, which Thomas also got, landed us in the Land of Nebulizer.  Fortunately, both boys only used it for a few days, but were really good sports about using it.

Sweet older brother supervising and making sure Ryan is ok.

Having his own turn a couple of days later.

5. He is starting to branch out a little more and eat more than just milk, puffs, yogurt, pretzels, and ice cream.

6. He is acutely aware of what a plane is.  Thomas is easier to bring on a plane than most adults.  Ryan is not as easy, but at least, there is minimal crying and he naps for 30 mins on most flights.

7. He is not really a fan of being out in the "no" (snow).  It's "Brrrr" (cold).

8. He likes to put hats on, especially ones that aren't his own.

9. Ryan finally got a short haircut like his brother.  We'd always kept it long, but in light of our three week trip to Nana Honey's house, I felt bold and asked his stylist to cut it shorter.

10. He is still a messy little fella.

Frozen blueberries goatee

11.  Almost exactly 18 months after Ryan was born, he was blessed with a "bay" or a "beee" depending upon which form of baby he is favoring that day.  Aunt Erica had a baby girl, who Ryan and Thomas want to Face Time every. Single.  Day.   Yeah!!