18 Months

So Noah is 18 months today. It's hard to believe that's possible. He is turning into a little boy before my very eyes. He is such a sponge right now, soaking up new words and growing in independence daily. He's no longer nursing - a recent transition, but he is adjusting well to that and he and I are finding different ways to bond. He loves to play chase, "ring-around-the-rosie," and a shortened form of hide-and-seek. He loves to "surprise" us by running out from behind a wall - he just laughs and laughs EVERY time. He enjoys dancing and clapping to music. When a song ends he claps. He mimics dogs barking. He likes to practice going up and down stairs, always asking for a helping hand before going down. He brushes his teeth with little help (although it's mostly just sucking on the dot of Barney toothpaste). His skills with a spoon are improving, but he has definitely figured out how to use his sleeve to wipe his mouth.

As far as communicating, "Da" usually means he's calling whichever one of us is not in front of him. "Ball" he uses everytime he sees one ANYWHERE. Similarly, he uses "agua" in a variety of ways - to ask for water, but also when he sees it in pools, tubs, or hears the sound of running water in a river like when we were in Colca Canyon. He points to the sky and mimics the sound of a plane when he hears one. He is growing in his comprehension of both English and Spanish. He knows where his tongue, nose, head, ears, and eyes are in both languages when asked.

My favorite part of this age so far is his affection. He loves to give us his strongest neck hugs and sweet little kisses. If he hugs or kisses one of us, he almost always has to share and give the same tenderness to others in the room. Concho taught him how to give un besito volado (blow a kiss/flying kiss) when saying goodbye. He also knows to wave when we say "Chau!"

Yes, I'm boasting about everything he can do and I know this is just the beginning, so I promise I won't do this all the time, but I thought I would catch you up to give you an idea of who he is turning into. We remain to be in love with our little boy and pray daily that God would be working in his heart even now.

Noah was eager to meet the alpacas on our trip to Colca