Living, Laughing, and Loving Life: 18 Months (a wee bit late)

It seems I say this with every "update" post, but time is just flying by. I no longer have a precious little baby boy. I now have a fun, loving, talkative, active, hilarious, and totally sweet toddler. We have really seen Leo make this transition in the last couple of months. To recap from his last 12 month post:
-We bought and moved into our wonderful first home as family in January/February
-Leo began walking at the beginning of February as well (13.5 months old)
-Leo began "talking" non-stop (14.5 months old)
-We traveled a ton and had a wonderful Spring
-Summer kept us busy going to the zoo, taking swim lessons (which Leo loved!), going to/helping with VBS, visits from family projects around the house, etc.

At 18 months Leo weighed in at a whopping 25.8 pounds and was 33 inches long. He still is not fond of eating much of anything other than baby food. He does like goldfish and tortillas...strange kid! It is a constant challenge to see what we can get him to try, which thus far, is little to nothing. Leo is still doing well with his use of sign language. He signs "all done", "more", "please", "thank you", "fish", "eat", and "milk". He babbles constantly and is just so funny as he tells his stories with hand gestures, changes in voice timbre, and facial expression. He certainly knows what he is saying, just wish he'd clue the rest of us in on it. He can make sounds for cow, horse, dog, duck, monkey, elephant, lion and tiger. They crack me up. His favorite word is "help" which comes out as "up". We hear this often. He doesn't say many words, yet, but is successful with "all done", "up", "Dada", "outside", "yes", "dog", "down", "um", and a very enthusiastic and high pitched "HI!"

Leo has yet to meet a stranger and goes out of his way to greet people with a "hi" and a wave while in the car, in the grocery cart, walking through church, in the parking lot, restaurants, when I go to get him out of his crib and even to his toys at home. He is so friendly and gives the absolute best squeezing hugs and kisses often and at random. I love them. He adores going outside, but with as hot as it is we are very limited. He still loves his swing and just got a new water table which he thinks is fabulous. His absolute favorite toy right now is "mow", his lawn mower. It has even been invited inside and he keeps our carpet nice and neatly trimmed...all day long! Leo loves to swim as well. He is totally comfortable and relaxed in the water. I think he even surprised his swim teacher as to how chill he is floating on his back, dunking his face, going under completely and hurling himself off the edge of the pool. To be honest, it makes his mama very nervous that he is so comfortable in water. We got him a puddle-jumper life jacket and he now doesn't even want us to hold on to him. He just kicks his little legs and attempts to paddle his arms and move around the pool.

As usual, Leo is happy and healthy. Growing like a weed and constantly amazing us with the things he finds to do. He is such a joy to our lives!