Happy 18 Months!!

Eighteen months ago today our family was blessed with the greatest gift, the birth of our first child, Karter. When we first laid eyes on this beautiful baby boy we didn't know how to be parents and take care of his needs, but I think over the past year and half we have all grown. Kristoffer and I have grown as parents and have become pretty good at taking care of our babe and our little babe has grown into a curios, very active toddler!

Twelve months ago today, are chubby little man had just mastered the art of sitting up the month before and was proud to show off his skills!

And just six months ago he mastered walking...which has now turned into running...none stop!

Not only did Karter master walking six months ago, but his teeth also started popping in and he now has 12 teeth! (And would you please look at those chubby thighs...those are long gone now!!)

Today, our energetic 18 month old, is too curious about the world around him...

...and too busy playing with his toys to even look at mommy and smile for a picture! Our little monkeyman is just a ball of energy and it is so fun to watch him learn and develop more everyday! Here is a quick run down of what he is up to these days...

• Moving...none stop! From the moment he gets out of bed Karter is ready to run. He loves to climb up and down off the couch, chase Rascal around the house and run laps around the kitchen island.
• Reading! Karter is truly a bookworm. Which I find really strange for how active he is, but he loves to cuddle up on the couch a read a good book....or 20!
• Talking! He has developed quite the little vocabulary. His favorite words to say are; mommy (which he says over and over all day for no apparent reason), daddy, baby, boy, big boy (it comes out bubby), cheese, juice and please. The only reason he really says please is to get his way! He thinks if he adds a please to anything it means we will do whatever he wants, and honestly how can you deny him when it sounds so cute!
• Not sleeping in! Before the time change Karterman would sleep in until 8 and it was great, but lately he has been getting up at 5....not great! Last night we tried letting him stay up later in hopes that he would sleep a little later, and it actually worked, he slept until 7. We will definitely be doing that again!! He is down to one 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon, which we have all adjusted to quite nicely. The free mornings allow us to run our errands and go to the library without interrupting a nap time.
• Helping! Karter is a great helper around the house and I love it!! He is great at helping sort the laundry, empty the dishwasher, put away the groceries and throwing things away. Him being so willing to help is actually great for me, since I keep getting bigger and it is harder to bend over it is nice to have someone so willing to do it!

I know there is more, but those are the major highlights. We couldn't ask for much more, our lives are great with our little man!! Happy 18 Months Karter!!