I have so dropped the 'bah' (how you say "Ball") on keeping up with your daily wonders, and i'm tired of my baby growing up up and away from me already at 18 months...

Yes, as of 4 days ago, you are 18 months old. You've done a lot in your short life. But I just want to talk about this short day.

Today, you ate over half of an entire apple, peeling and all. I am delighted that you like apples, as there was a time you only liked applesauce. And then you'd eat apples only if I peeled them and cut them up in little squares. And then you'd get made that I cut them up and wanted the whole thing, only to bite into it a couple times and hand it back. Now, actually, today, you found your way to the crisper, said "Appa" and then got it out and started eating it. Didn't eat your turkey, carrot discs, or even much of your "Awful" (waffle) that I gave you for breakfast. But you loved that apple. Then, at dinner at Barnett's, you actually bit into my hamburger when I happened to have it near your mouth. I'd never seen you hold a sandwich of any kind so proficiently, so I just handed it over. You much prefer to ketchup to ketchup and fries, but you'll lick the ketchup off a fry if that's the only form we'll allow you have it in. You'd rather just drink it from its little paper cup. What else...yes, you do other things than eat, I'm just especially aware of these particular patterns :).

Tonight you said "Bye-eee" to the vacuum before going to have bed-time with "Daa-eee." Who was actually the one who taught you to say bye to inanimate objects in the first place. He always lets you say bye to the slides and swings and whatever else is at the park, so you're happier leaving. So, tonight, apparently you anticipated missing the vacuum.

We had some special time while we were at Barnett's. You and I went outside while Daddy and Brent and Berea waited for the "wooof" (food). You walked along the blue benches of the outside picnic table and I held your hand and swung you across when we ran out of bench and had to get to the next table. Then we watched a squirrel cross the road. Then we walked over to a pink dogwood and I showed you its flowers and though you don't mind saying the word "Fower" when you see them in books, you must be humoring me, because in real life you couldn't care less. Your eyes were looking over my shoulder, I think for the squirrel. My favorite moment was when we were headed back, you leaned into me a bit and smiled, realizing it was just me and you and seeming to appreciate it almost as much as I was.

You are a boy genius and I want to record all the evidence but for now, this will do.