18 months

* I found some toys at a local consignment shop this month; three things I've had on a toy wish list for him.  Of course I was delighted to see that he likes them too.  I am partial to the drum.  He is partial towards the piano and ark.  Oh, how he loves getting the animals into and out of the ark!

* Dude thinks exploring the backyard is awesome. 

Evidenced by his hands-in-the-air jubilation seen below!

* He will wave bye bye to phrases other than bye bye... like 'see you later alligator'.

* He is learning to run away while I chase him saying "I'm gonna get you!"

* His favorite time of day seems to be the evenings when David will push him around in his convertible car.  Gavin looks sooooo happy turning corners and making the loop through the house.  He will say "Hi" when he enters rooms and waves as he zooms out.

 

* He is tall enough to see out the windows in the dining room and is our neighborhood watchdog.

 

* He walks to the front door and tries to turn the knob when he hears David park his truck.  (Sad confusion came the other night when he heard our neighbor was home and not daddy.  Luckily, daddy got home moments later so the tears subsided.)

 

* He is all around awesome.  Very much a little dude and no longer a baby.  I would say the transition happened between 16.5 and 17.5 months.

* He is a super fan of David's.  David now enjoys getting followed everywhere and finding little fingers poking in underneath the bathroom door :)

* When David gets home Gavin will tell him long animated stories, complete with lots of hand gestures.  It is sooooo precious!

 

* He is listening and following directions very well.  This month he has stopped testing many old boundaries we've set and will just do the right thing.  Of course, new boundary tests continue to be presented often : )

 

* He brings books to me to read to him.  He will also climb into the chair in his room to read by himself.

* Gavin is great at getting our mail.  We walk to the mailbox together and he will reach in to get the mail.  He is also a great shredder of paper.  So said mail is quickly confiscated from little guy.

 

* He cuddles best on the guest bed.  Smart guy found it to be the most comfortable spot in the house, and he is right!  He will cuddle with me there for a long time or even by himself in the afternoon.

* David calls G Turtle at bedtime; usually his knees are tucked under his chest.  This time I still found him sleeping like a sweet prince. Love.

 * He carries his sippy cub in his mouth.  'Look mom, hands free!'

* He colored a picture for his Cousin Jackson.  Dude favors orange and green over blue; I find it interesting that he has color preferences for his scribbles.

Crayons make him super happy.  He kept doing this happy dance ; )

* We hit up a local park.  Dude is still not a fan of slides but likes tunnels.

* We find toys everywhere. I sort of love it and sort of dread the day he hides something valuable.  This month: the tv remote was found in the kitchen trashcan, blocks were in his laundry basket, little cars in our shoes and David's work boots, and his toy turtle was in the candy dish.

* Little man made his first piece of art for us. He did it at a buddy's house and surprised us with it!

You can bet it will make a debut every year at Valentine's time :)