17 Months and Valentine's Day

On Saturday, Reives turned 17 months old!!  I cannot believe how much of a "big boy" he is becoming.  I also cannot believe that in a month or so, he will be a big brother!!  Little R is at such a fun age right now.  His vocabulary is constantly increasing, and he keeps us very entertained by his funny dance moves and gestures.  He loves to listen to music, dance, and read books.  He also loves to sit in his little, red chair and watch Baby Einstein movies.  I obviously do not let him do this that often, but if I ask him if he wants to watch a movie (a 23 minute one set to Mozart and Beethoven), he heads straight for his red chair with a huge smile. (I confess that the pictures below were taken during a Baby Einstein DVD because that was the only way I could get him still.)  Little R is an active, little thing.  He is not hyper but just busy.  He is shy in new places and with new people, but once he warms up to someone, he is super sweet and cuddly.  He loves to blow kisses and give big, juicy kisses.  He seems to really like his little friend, Cali, that I keep one day every week.  When they see each other they scream, smile, and touch their heads together as if hugging.  It is so cute.  Even though they fight (he hits and pushes, she tries to bite) when playing at times, they are such good little buddies.

Here are some other things going on with Little R:

-has added the following to his vocabulary: "tchi" (Chip), "susine" (sunshine), "fife" (five...when we count), "keekee" (cookie), "teetee" (teetee :) ), "poopoo" (poopoo)
-Little R has gone from LOVING his baths to hating them.  He got in a habit of going "poopoo" in the bathtub several times a week.  We never got on to him or made a big deal out of it, but it was always kind of frantic trying to get him out of the tub before he picked it up or stepped on it, and he would always get so mad because he was not ready to get out.  Now, as soon as we put him in the tub, he whines and refuses to sit down.  As soon as we get him out, he turns around, looks in the tub and says "poopoo."  I guess he is afraid he is going to poopoo in the tub.  Poor little guy!  I hope this is a short lived phase :(
-Little R loves foods with a lot of flavor.  He is not too keen on plain meat anymore, but loves meat when it is in sauces, soups, or casseroles.  His favorite flavor seems to be tomato based stuff.  So, I add tons of veggies to the sauce when I make spaghetti, and he eats it all up!
-His bottom molars should be through any day now.  They have taken forever to come in, and I can feel them just under the gum.  After these, only 8 more teeth to go :)
-He just had his 3rd "hair trim." I refuse to get it cut short because I like his wild, curly hair!!!
-Little R is not afraid to call us out if we forget to say the blessing.  Twice now, when I have forgotten to bless our lunch, Little R has done the sign language for Jesus and then clasped his hands to pray.  Smart little boy!  It is so sweet that he wants to say the blessing!!

Here are some pictures from Valentine's Day, a few days after Little R turned 17 months:

 Quite the stud

Happy Valentine's Day :)