Dear James,
You are 18 months old today and growing up so fast! I am sure I probably say that in every letter I write to you but it's true. I can't believe how fast the months go by and what a big boy you are. I think back to this time last year and taking pictures in the pumpkin patch and it seems like it should only be a few months ago. I know these last two and a half months before your baby brother is born are going to fly by so I am trying to cherish every moment I spend with you and give you all of my love and attention. I know it is going to a big adjustment when your baby brother arrives. You have been the center of my world these last 18 months and soon you will have to share Mommy and Daddy! Speaking of Daddy, we have spent so much more time with Daddy lately since he changed jobs and you are definitely becoming a Daddy's boy! You were all about Mommy for the longest time but I think it was because Daddy was working long hours and we didn't get to see him as much as we all would have liked. We are so happy to have him home in the evenings each day and to not have to work Saturdays any more!
So James Peyton, what are you up to at 18 months old???
You are 34 inches tall (We will have your official stats after your 18 month appointment next week!)
You weigh 27 pounds
You wear a size 4 diaper
You wear size 24 month or 2T shirts and 18 month or 24 month pants or jeans
You wear a size 6 1/2 shoe
You have 12 teeth-the four top front, four bottom front, two bottom back molars, and two top molars.
You love to point out your eyes, nose, lips, chin, and ears. You also point to Mommy and Daddy's eyes, nose, lips, chin, and ears and name all the parts of our face as you point to them!
You are a wonderful eater. At school you learned about the five senses and one day the focus was on taste. Ms. Deb told us that all of the kids in your class got to taste and try different foods. You were the only one that tried them all and even asked for more!
You also sign more when you want more of something and also sign please. You are learning to say the words too.
You are talking so much and say new words all the time. For the longest time you said "Uh oh!" if you would drop something but now it hast turned into "Oh no!". You also repeat everything so Mommy and Daddy are trying to be careful with what we say!
At bath time you like to undress yourself (with a little help) then run through the house naked to throw away your diaper in the kitchen trash. It is so funny, we laugh every night when you do this! You always run right back to the bathtub and get in.
You are finally wearing hats! It started with a fireman's hat Grandma Janie gave you but now you like to wear other hats too, especially Daddy's.
You still take a nap from 12:00-2:30 at school and usually sleep from 8:30-7:00 each night. Sometimes you wake up a little early so Mommy and Daddy put you in bed with us and we all go back to sleep! It is my favorite time of day because you are the best snuggler.
You are such a good helper! You really like to imitate what we are doing and even like to pick up your toys and "clean". Sometimes you get a kleenex or baby wipe and wipe the table or even your toys.
In a few days it will be Halloween and you are going to dress up as Elmo! You love watching Sesame Street and Elmo is your favorite (you actually call Sesame Street Elmo) but we only watch a little each day. At night before you go to bed we have to wave at the T.V. and say goodnight to him. We are hoping you will wear your costume. It was your cousin Myla and Adyn's costume when they were little and you were so excited when it arrived! You like to carry it around though and were not too thrilled when we put it on you! We also have birthday parties and Thanksgiving coming up in November. Mommy is looking forward to a week off from school and spending time with you.
We love you so much and can't wait to see what adventures are in store for us next month!
Love,
Mommy
Mommy trying to take a self-portrait 
