20-Months Old

Our B is 20-months old already. It is hard for me to believe that when Matty was Brady's age, he already had a little brother. Matty seemed "older" than Brayden at 20-months. B is still a baby to me (and yes, admittedly, he will always be my baby), but maybe this is mostly because he refuses to talk. Don't get me wrong, he is very verbal, but his vocabulary is severely limited. He yells, screams, grunts, and babbles constantly. When he wants something, you will know it. He will bother you until he somehow communicates what he wants. I had Brayden's hearing tested in June, and thank goodness, his hearing is fine. He has his first speech evaluation on Thursday, so I am anxious to learn if he needs ongoing therapy.

Aside from his speech delays, Brady is a very normal, very busy, very inquisitive little guy. In fact, he is more crazy than I remember the other two kiddos being in the toddler phase. Brayden is in to EVERYTHING. I mean everything. Here are a few examples:

• I have caught Brayden eating out of our food compost bin multiple times. He knows where I keep it (under the kitchen sink) and he knows how to bust through the child-proof lock. Gross.
• Two weeks ago, I had taken my wedding band and engagement ring off while giving B a bath. An hour later, I heard the water running upstairs. By the time I got up there, I discovered my engagement ring on the bathroom counter, right next to the sink with the water on full blast. My wedding band was gone. After a meltdown, I dismantled the sink and luckily retrieved my ring. I was convinced it had washed down the drain and was in the sewer.
• Brayden also enjoys stuffing toilet paper and wipes in the toilets. As a result, all three of our bathroom doors are shut and locked during his waking hours. I do not enjoy carrying a key around all day long, but it beats cleaning up a flooded bathroom or clogged toilet.
• We had to enable the chime on our security system so that we are alerted any time a door is opened. Brayden has gotten out of the house a few times. Thank goodness I have watchful neighbors.
• We added a childproof lock to our pantry door. You can imagine what B does when he's able to get a hold of food (picture a box of cheerios all over the floor).
• While I was assembling a new cozy coupe (the red and yellow Flintstone-like car for toddlers) for the boys, Brayden started taking pieces and hiding them from me. This car is still in the garage, missing a horn, and is not fully assembled.
• When the kids are playing in the driveway, B enjoys taking another cozy coupe and rolling it, full speed, down the driveway, so that it goes crashing into the cul de sac. Brayden screams and giggles when he is successful doing this. I'm sure my neighbors laugh every time they see me chasing toy cars, strollers, or bikes down the street.
• In public, I cannot take my eye off of this little man for more than a few seconds. He usually runs in the direction of the biggest danger or most breakable item (think of him picking up coffee mugs on display at Starbucks). 
• At soccer last week, B took my car keys and threw them in a nasty trash can. Fortunately, I was able to get the lid off somewhat easily and did not have to do too much digging to retrieve my keys.

Now that I have vented about this little man, I should admit that I am madly in love with him. I love greeting him every morning. He wakes up, throws all of his loveys out of this crib, and then yells for me to come in. As soon as I walk in, I sing "Good morning to you..." and he motions for me to take his sleep sack off. Then, we go downstairs and he insists on making my coffee. For someone who can't talk, he sure can work a Keurig! He still loves for me to hold him. Often, while I am cooking or washing dishes, Brayden will walk in between me and the sink/counter and push on my legs until I am pushed backwards so far that I can no longer reach the counter. He is a stinker!

B loves dogs and squeals when he sees any outside. In fact, one of the few noticeable sounds that he makes is "woof woof" when he sees a dog (other sounds include a funny-sounding "quack!" "uh oh," "vroom" and "aye!"). He also loves playing with cars like his brother. He and Matty have had some awful fights over cars (which is ridiculous given that we have hundreds at our house!). I am hoping that they will play together instead of independently soon.

I took Brayden to the pediatrician yesterday due to an awful rash and learned that he has hand foot and mouth disease. His rash/blisters are hard to look at, but fortunately he does not appear to be bothered.

So there you have it. My 20-month old keeps me busy. I would not have it any other way. Love you, B!