Well believe it or not, Logan is officially 18 months. You certainly wouldn't guess it by looking at him though. I think a lot of parents dream of the day their toddler turns 18 months but honestly, I was kind of dreading it. I feel like now that Logan is 18 months it is much more apparent of his limitations and delays. One big reason is nursery. While most parents can't wait to finally have a break from chasing around their little ones for three hours at church, I was less concerned about keeping track of Logan and more concerned about how he would fit in and do with other kids in nursery. I was even more concerned with how the teachers would respond to him, knowing that he requires extra care and attention. I have this fear of others thinking of Logan as a burden and I never want that to be the case. It's not everyday you see a child in nursery who isn't walking or even close to walking. The questions have definitely become more abundant recently. It never seems to get easier to tell people about what is going on and to see them struggle with a good response, because quite honesty, there isn't one. There isn't anything that anyone can say to me to ease my worries and concerns for Logan's future, unless they told me they have a crystal ball. The unknown is a very scary thing sometimes. I feel there are not many people who can relate to what we are going through so I have to remind myself to not take comments from people the wrong way, even when someone says how nice it must be that he doesn't get into stuff or I don't have to chase after him. It is definitely not nice or easy. Logan is an 18 month old trapped in a body that can't yet do what he wants it to, which makes for a frustrated, unhappy boy a good part of the day. I dream of the day that he can cause mischief and I welcome it. Yes I would love for him to pull everything out in the kitchen, get into the garbage, anything like that because it means he is walking and progressing. I find comfort in knowing that my Heavenly Father is aware of Logan and has a plan for him. There is a bigger picture that we cannot see and I have to just have faith that everything will work out. Easier said than done sometimes.
That being said Logan has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past couple of months. A big milestone for him was learning to bum scoot around 16 months. That was a huge deal because he finally figured out a way to get around. I have never really seen a child bum scoot before and it is pretty dang cute and funny! Also around the same time he finally was able to transition from laying down to sitting up without assistance. You should have seen the shock on my face when I went to get him up from his nap one day and he was sitting up looking at me when I walked in. I had to fight back tears to see that sweet little boy upright on his own for the first time. More recently Logan has started crawling, which is no small miracle to us. I had resigned to the fact that he would just skip crawling altogether and then one day he just did it. I was once again overcome with emotion to see him doing these things that we had been working with him on and waiting for what seemed like an eternity. He still chooses to bum scoot most of the time, but he crawls a lot during the day too. Just to get something not too far away and then he stops. Hopefully he will figure out he can crawl exclusively and get around that way soon. And if that wasn't enough awesome progress, he also can now pull himself up from his little chair. If you know Logan, you know that he has never wanted to bear weight or stand, so for him to be pulling himself to stand and staying up there for long periods of time is just amazing to witness. The fact that he is doing that means that it is only a matter of time before he can pull himself up from the floor and *gasp* cruise furniture. Seriously cannot even picture it, but I know that day will come.
Logan is very smart and doesn't miss a beat. He seems to understand everything that we say and tell him, even though he doesn't talk to us. He wants to be doing anything and everything that Addie is and always want to be included, which makes things challenging sometimes. I try the best I can to facilitate things for him, but I can only carry him around so much. He has hit the age where he wants to do everything himself and throws a fit if i try to feed him or hold a cup and let him have a drink. He wants to hold everything himself. He also has mastered the tantrum. Seriously, it's like a switch has been flipped turning my sweet, mellow, easy going boy into a little spitfire who gets mad over everything. I am hoping the new found frustrations will be a motivation to him. As I mentioned before, Logan doesn't talk. This has been a huge adjustment for me because Addie was blending words and saying any word you asked her to at this age. I am amazed at how much he understands and how well he can communicate his wants and needs without talking. We have been working on signs and he now signs more and all done. He is still a pretty good eater, but some days he gets really picky. Despite his recent crankiness, he is still the sweetest boy ever and loves to cuddle with his mommy. He has started to get a little bashful and will turn into my shoulder when someone tries to talk to him. He loves cause and effect toys and will sit and play all day with his toy where you manipulate different types of buttons to get the animals to pop up. He is obsessed, I mean literally obsessed, with watching TV. I have no idea how things have gotten so out of control, but if we are in the family room playing and the TV isn't on he throws a fit. His current favs are Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Super Why, Curious George, Micky Mouse Clubhouse, and he loves Elmo. But really, he will watch just about anything as long as it is animated. Sometimes when Nephi isn't home at dinnertime I will let the kids watch PBS while I am making dinner. At 6 it switches from Cat in the Hat to The Brady Bunch and every time without fail, Logan starts crying the second the Brady Bunch comes on! I can't remember the last time I have watched a show of mine during the day! We have been trying to capitalize on his obsession of TV with Signing Time DVD's and he loves them. He loves to play peek a boo and be tickled, but his absolute favorite thing is to be right at Addie's side playing with everything she is playing with...Addie has been less than thrilled about this and most of our days are spent trying to keep the peace between these two! We love this little boy more than words can say and are very hopeful that he will begin walking sooner than later. Until then, I will be hauling around a 24 lb toddler, pray for my back! Enjoy the pics, I think he is absolutely to die for. Little boys sure do have a way of stealing their momma's hearts!
Seriously, those eyes. Never thought I'd have a blue-eyed child.
This picture was very special to me, because it is the only picture we have ever had of Logan standing, and he is even smiling while doing it, double win!
And then he was done!
