Mattox ~ 18 Months

Oh how is it even possible this little man is already 18 months old?  Time has really flown by this year.  As usual, this age is probably my absolute favorite with children.  They are just learning so much and developing their own unique and fun personalities and haven't developed the full toddler tantrums of two and three year olds.  I just cannot picture my life without this fun little guy, and I am soaking up every minute that I get to spend with him.  I am so thankful for these days and getting lots of one on one time with him while big brothers are at school.  He reminds me so much of his big brother Evan at this age.  They both shared the same big beautiful smiles from daddy, adorable and vibrant laughs, big serious blue eyes that never miss a thing, and independent spirits that just want to do everything by themselves. 

Our little American boy celebrated Independence Day.

Oh I just love this happy boy!

He finally let go and started walking on his own at 17 months, and he barely slows down all day.  I just love watching him toddle around the house and get into all kinds of mischief.

He prefers playing with any objects that are not his toys.  He loves getting pans out of the cabinets in the kitchen, bottles and containers from my bathroom drawers, and any of big brothers' things.  He carries off and "hides" my cell phone a lot.  Today, Daddy found it inside the remote caddy in the living room. 

He loves to throw ANYTHING.  He has developed an appreciation for a ball, but he isn't picky.  He will throw anything.  And yes, sometimes it does hurt when he throws objects at you.  Haha! 

He is just so loving and sweet and loves giving kisses and hugs.  I love the sweet little loving sounds he makes when he is giving love to us or to his teddy bear friends.  He loves his little stuffed friends. 

He can get a little wild at bedtime and has a hard time settling down to go to sleep, especially if big brothers are around.  He still takes a bottle of milk at night, but it doesn't always work to settle him down. 

He eats just about anything although lately, he doesn't always want to eat meat.  It seems to be a texture thing as he will pull it back out of his mouth and either play with it or just throw it on the floor.  I am hoping that is just a little phase he is in.  Sometimes, he eats it and sometimes he doesn't.  Pasta, with either cheese or tomato sauce and meat, is probably one of his favorite meals right now.  He also loves when I make us grits and eggs for lunch.  He is also very independent and loves to feed himself. 

Pizza!  He doesn't actually eat pizza a lot and usually prefers pasta when we go eat at a little pizza buffet in our town.

He really loves his big brothers and just wants to be with them all the time.  He follows Brody around and tries to snuggle up next to him to watch TV.  Brody isn't always accepting of this attention and will often get up and go to another room.  I don't really understand it because Brody was the snuggly, cuddly baby who also loved to get close to his big brother when he was that age.  I thought he would appreciate the attention Mattox gives him more, and I hope this changes in the future.  Evan, on the other hand, is always ready to snuggle and love on his littlest brother.  He loves that Mattox is so much like him.  Just this weekend when the boys stayed with Grandma, Mattox kept trying to climb up and lay with Brody on our bed to watch TV with him, and Brody would get up and move.  Finally, Mattox got tired of this game and went upstairs to sit with big brother Evan and fell asleep in the chair with him.  Thank goodness for Evan!

We love you, beautiful boy!