Jasper did the funniest thing at his 18th month check-up. He cried for everything, from getting weighed (25 lbs 12 oz), to getting measured (33 inches tall) and everything in between (getting eyes, ears, etc checked). When it was time for his two shots, I said, "Okay Jasper, this is what really warrants the crying" and then he stopped crying and watched as Dr.Bates administered the first shot. As Dr.Bates opened the bandaid, he started crying again. Dr.Bates then said, "I don't think we'll be as lucky as the first one because the second one will sting more", but funnily enough, Jasper stopped crying again as he watched the second needle going into his arm and let out the tears only when the second bandaid was being opened. What a funny baby!
Funny is a perfect word to describe Jasper because he just loves entertaining in front of his family (still shy in front of unfamiliar faces though). When he gets a laugh, he will repeat his action as many times as possible to keep the laughs going, especially when his big brother is paying attention. I just look at his pictures and it puts a smile on my face to think of what he was doing at the time the picture was taken.
Dr.Bates asks a lot of developmental questions at his check-ups and this time, one of the questions was if he is speaking and how many words. I guess I paused a bit too long before answering because he asked if he has about 30 words in his vocab and I was so proud to say that he definitely has a lot more than 30. This little guy is so good at repeating after you, you would think there was an echo in the room sometimes. I think it is also less frustrating for him because he can actually communicate to us what he wants - finished eating: "done", wants a popsicle "bob-co", get out of his chair "down", wants to play with his iPad (really a leapfrog computer toy) "i-pa", when he gets something he says "thank you", wants to get picked up "po po" (chinese way of saying it, sounds a bit different from Po Po), and too many more to list here.
Speaking of pronouncing Po Po, he has also mastered "Gung Gung", "June-yee", and "Grandma" lately. We also discovered that he has made up his own sign language for "Sam". He will repeat everyone's names when we ask him to, but when we say "Sam", he will just wave his hand. I used to think it was just a wave when he saw Sam at school, and it might be where this developped, but it is super cute to see.
His recognition of body parts has increased: eyes, ears, nose, head, mouth, belly, bum bum, hand, feet, and neck! And his animal sounds now include: dinosaur, snake, dog, cat, cow, bird, pig and Mommy's favorite, rooster (ca-ca-ca-doo). Another favorite is when he copies the "ghost song" (named by Sam) which is Edvard Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from Little Einsteins Halloween special. He has mini-discoveries everyday and points it out with many "oohs" and "ahhs" and another new favorite for something he finds dirty and messy is "yucky!"
And far from being toilet trained (actually, he has had a couple of poo accidents in the bath which did not impress Mommy and Daddy), but he does seem interested in the bathroom when other people go and says "poo poo" when he has filled his diaper. Will and I have tried to put him on the toilet a couple of times and though he was patient enough to sit a few minutes, he did not leave any of his "treasures" in the toilet bowl. Oh well, he is only 18 months, right??
Yes, only 18 months (and no more nursing!) but I feel he is so big already sometimes because he can understand so much. When he does something that impresses me and obviously makes him feel very proud, I say, "Go show Daddy" and he runs to show Daddy exactly what makes Mommy so happy. He is also pretty good at keeping up with the "big" kids whenever they let him participate. Definitely a much more adventurous kid which keeps Mommy on her toes!
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