Mason turns 18 Months Old!

Mason turned 18 months on November 4 and had his well check-up visit today.  He was not at all happy to be there either.  In fact, he fussed so much that they were unable to get his length, but he did weigh in at 25 lbs. 5 ozs.

He is a wild man these days and starting to say a few more words here and there.  Dr. D said his language will really start to rapidly increase as we continue to move towards his second birthday.  His motor skills of course are still advanced.  He can jump with both feet now and has really taken to dribbling and kicking the soccer ball.  The kid can throw a ball left-handed like you wouldn't believe, and he still uses both hands when using utensils... guess he figures when it comes to food being ambidextrous ensures it will get in his mouth faster.  With his 2 new upper canine teeth, he now has a total of 14.  Only 6 more to go and we can be done with teething - YIPPEE!!

Mason has developed a bad habit of hitting when he gets frustrated.  Common at this age, when they understand so much and want to communicate back, but don't yet have the ability to formulate the words.  It doesn't help that our boy has a rather short fuse, either.  So, if he is told "No" or can't have something he wants, or if something is taken away from him, he lashes out immediately by hitting.  This is heightened by the fact that both he and big brother Hunter compete for toys constantly now.  Mason absolutely wants to be doing anything Hunter is doing and especially wants Hunter's attention and will do anything (positive or negative) to get a reaction from him.  Mason can be quite devious as well, instigating and provoking Hunter, and admittedly at this age Hunter is an easy target, easily provoked.  Honestly, both of our boys are quite ornery- a trait they get solely from their father, I know. Of course as with most siblings, they are quarreling one minute and then giving hugs and kisses to each other the next.

Mason doesn't really have what we would call a favorite toy, but he really likes trains, cars, sports (especially soccer and football), books, Sesame Street (especially Elmo), chasing Jack the Cat, and listening or watching his Uncle Scott's band Ballyhoo.  All said, Mason is a happy, handsome, and loving little boy.  He still has an infectious smile, accentuated by the big dimple in his right cheek.  Can't get enough of this little fireball!

This last picture is typical Mason...I was upstairs helping Hunter get dressed and Mason starts calling "Mama, Mama, Mama."  I look over the upstairs balcony to see him on top of the ledge that separates our kitchen from the family room, lying on his belly on top of daddy's computer while playing with the iPod he had just pulled off the Bose sound system.  He had climbed up on the ledge via the back of the bench.  Of course, he wanted to get my attention to let me know what he was doing, even though he knows even standing on that bench is a "no-no" much less using it to climb up higher.  Little stinker!