Karter at Eighteen Months

There seems to have been a bit of a transformation in this young lad.  I just reread his "One Year" post and he seems to be the sweetest little guy.  Um. Somehow sweet is not quite how I would describe him at this stage in life.  In fact he makes Kylie (when she was a year and a half) seem like a bit of an angel . . . and I had her out "For Rent" in this post when she was Karter's age.  I suppose unsavoury memories flee and maybe all 1.5 year olds are a little "crazy".  But I'm not convinced.

I think he's special.  In every good way possible:)

Karter is destructive.  No other way to describe it.  He throws. He breaks. He makes messes.  He keeps me busy.  If you look carefully (okay, maybe you can take your glassess off and still see) at the picture below you will see just an everyday situation.  This kid lives on my counters.  My handles make perfect ladders and he is up any chance he can get.  Then . . . everything that was up . . . comes down.  My dishes are waning rapidly.  I am not attached and that is good.   Someday I will be forced to buy a new set (or use paper plates!)  and hopefully he is past the throwing stage by then.

You may also notice that one of our pendant lights is no longer retaining its original shape.  Yep.  Karter.  He was killing flies with the wrong end of the fly swatter and apparently has a rather mighty swing.  

I used to keep my snack foods in one of my drawers below where Karter is standing.  That didn't work so well.  He helped himself at any chance possible. So they sat on the counter . . . that didn't work for long either as you can see.  They are now relegated to the pantry and I have a large empty drawer that I'd love to use but can't.  

For a couple of days Jonathan and I were kind of drinking our coffee but not loving it at all.  We didn't think much of it at first. . . .maybe a bad cup.  But after a few times I concluded we must have a bad jar of coffee.  That wasn't it either and we were dumping more than we were drinking.  We finally figured out that Karter had dumped the sugar (and apparently a fair amount of salt too!!!) over the counter and Kade had cleaned it up and put it back in the sugar bowl.  Just another day in the life of Karter:)

Karter is a monkey. He doesn't sit still. He is usually running.  I'm pretty sure he has no idea what it means to read a book . . . or even play cars on the car mat. I wish he would.  It sounds just SO nice.  I might actually get things done.  If Karter is quiet .  . it is usually in my best interest to go check things out.  Though I confess to just hoping for the best often and continuing on in my work rather often.

Karter knows his way out of the house and helps himself out on occasion.  If he is a man on a mission, I have to lock the door . . . especially lately since he doesn't exactly stop to put on shoes or a coat.  

Karter LOVES it outside.  This works well when the kids are home, but not so well on school days . . .and especially as the temperatures drop and my desire to be outside diminishes.  I also love it when he is outside.  He seems to stay out of trouble when he's out there! (as long as we keep an eye on him!) We did lose him once.  Jonathan thought he came inside and he hadn't.  We found him walking way down the path towards the corn field behind our house . . . with the dog.  Scary . . but it let me know he could be a wanderer.   Generally he is fairly predictable in his meanderings outside.

Although this picture is blurry, I love all three facial expressions in it!!

Karter has a very limited vocabulary at this point. I like to joke that he is destined to be an athlete and probably not a scholar.  A few things he does say are "All done!" "Ow" "Please" "Uh oh" "Where'd it go?"  and I'm not sure the average person would understand them . . but I do:) Whenever he sees steam or smoke he says, "Haaaa  Haaaaa." (in a panting kind of way) (this is one of my favorites!)  He DOES understand a lot! All I have to say is "Let's put your boots on" and he comes running with a big smile.  He knows to fold his hands when we say "Pray".  He understands, "Sit down."  He does NOT seem to understand "NO!"  or chooses not too.  I realize that there are 1.5 year olds who understand everything and can say most anything too.  I get that.  Like I alluded to . . he'll probably be more brawn than brains:)  Just kidding.  I can tell he is at a stage right now where he is learning quickly.  He is starting to figure out animal sounds and body parts.  (dog says woof woof and he knows his nose and belly)  Ya. Obviously not my first child . . .though the fact that he's got 5 teachers now should give him an advantage, no??!

He tolerates the dogs and LOVES the kitty. The kitty does not love Karter. It runs every time it sees him coming. It makes me laugh.

Karter is a terror to take shopping.  He needs a five point harness in the grocery cart. I can't use my top shelf b/c he throws it all out. (I've gotten smart and try to put things like milk up there b/c it's heavy).  He mostly can escape the seatbelt.  He then scares the other shoppers with his antics and attempts to stand up. I have tried carrying him and pushing the cart with one hand. (didn't work real well . . .at all) I have tried letting him walk . . . disaster! I almost feel like I should do groceries at night . . . except really???!!! Who can't do groceries with ONE child!!! I know (very well) mothers that do it all the time with three or four . . .under the age of 5. I'm jealous.

I used to take Karter to the library.  I don't do that too much anymore either. He pulls books off the shelf faster than I can put them back . . .and really what enjoyment . . .or peace and quiet is there in that?!!

Karter loves to "help" in my office.  If I am at the computer he will climb all over me, trying to sit on my lap and once there smacking my keyboard and driving my mouse. It's not conducive to productivity . . but often I am trying so hard to get something done that I repeatedly pull him off . . . like 12 times . .  before I wonder why I challenge myself so.  Well . . .because we have an open concept home and our office doors are glass.  Further explanation required???

Karter is a fairly happy boy . . most of the time.  He also has the cutest pout and a funny temper. It makes me laugh.

Karter loves his siblings . . .but I wouldn't say misses them when they are gone. He loves it when they give him attention and they (usually) are happy to comply.  It's pretty special (and helpful!) to watch.

Karter eats by himself quite often and does a decent job of it (though Jonathan does have to sweep under his chair . . and wipe . . and doesn't enjoy it).  I still feed him goopier foods like porridge and soup. It's just neater for all involved.

Karter loves toothbrushes and loses most of ours for us.  I remember Kylie doing this too.

Karter loves candy and junk food. Sign language for "I want a candy" is holding out one hand and looking up with his big blue eyes.  

Karter still uses his soother often. I am trying to keep it in bed and van only . . .but the family is not on board with my policy.  The soother gets used as a bit of a cork sometimes . . especially during Bible reading and prayer.  It does seem to make him calmer . . .and that IS worth something! 

He also likes his brown doggy blanket . . but doesn't require it.  This is handy. If he has soo-soo and blankie he can actually be really cozy. Sometimes.

Karter has 15 teeth.

He has had a number of haircuts and sits less still each time.  It produces interesting results:)

Karter sleeps through the night - about 7:30-6:30 and has one (rather short) nap.  Like my other children, he doesn't require a lot of sleep.  Too bad:)

Karter has fairly recently lost his fascination with toilets. Hopefully I don't speak too soon.  For quite some time, I  rued the day that I let him watch me clean a toilet.  He would attempt to follow my example at every opportunity and with three bathrooms, there was plenty of opportunity.

Karter rarely plays with toys. . . but he will occupy himself for hours with a hockey stick and ball or just a ball.  He is fairly adept too .  . 

If the boys are playing downstairs and have something (like farm) set up, they can get very annoyed at Karter.  They deal with it fairly graciously . .. .distracting him with something upstairs and then sneaking around and slipping down the stairs again. I usually direct him to the stairs again to get him down there playing again.  They don't appreciate my interference:)

Karter has a fabulous laugh. We love it.

Karter loves the piano . . especially when someone else is trying to play it. He will climb right up on the bench (or on you!) and bam away.   This makes practice time a little complicated.

 He will give kisses.  Not very often  . . .but when he does, it is pretty special. He is learning how to blow kisses too.  

Karter is a bully.  (I was going to say a bit of a bully . . but I guess there is no sense in sugarcoating it!) He will hit - with his hands or a hockey stick or whatever.  I don't think he means to be mean . . .he just thinks its funny. I'm not sure how he is in the nursery lately (I don't ask!), but I bet it's not great.  We often have to remind him to be gentle . . and he DOES know how.  

So that is our little man at 18 months.  Fun eh!! IT IS!!! I love it.  He is exciting and crazy and wild and unpredictable . . but he is a load of fun.   He makes my day every day. He keeps me smiling . . . even when I probably shouldn't be.  But if you are wondering what I do all day at home with just one kid . . . well I try to watch him . . and if I do . . I watch him and nothing else gets done . . and if I try to accomplish something else . .  well  . . then he gets into trouble and I do double duty cleaning up after him.  So I stay busy. 

I thank God every day for giving him to us!!! I love you buddy!!! (which is why I am going to end this post and rescue you from the sink where you are playing with what sounds like a knife!)