As we welcome the crisp fall air and the foliage begins to grace our days with shades of yellow and orange, I see my baby slipping away and a little boy emerging.

It’s not Wyatt’s birthday and I haven’t really tracked his second year like I did his first, but 18 months is a milestone that I realize warrants commemoration.  It’s possibly one of the biggest ones because it’s the time when a child’s personality fully breaks through.

Though, I probably could have done a better job of blogging about Dylan’s second year, I’ll never forget that stage in his life.  I’m so thankful I took a million pictures, even if they were mostly snapshots off of my phone.  When I look through the pictures I have of D’s development, 18 months always stands out as the point where I really started to feel like I knew my son.

Don’t get me wrong, I knew my children and recognized the nuances of their individual personalities at a pretty young age.  I think welcoming our second child into our life really helped solidify the idea that each baby really is so different.  I’m sure I’ve mentioned my amazement at how early their personalities emerged.

I’ve recognized this sweet, thoughtful, observant, strong, yet gentle soul that is Wy from the beginning, but it’s just in the last month or so that I feel like I’m really experiencing the fullness of him.

So much of what I’m feeling with him has to do with his somewhat new ability to use language and communicate.  He’s been signing for a while now, but more words emerge each day and even a few sentences (ie “Here you go Dylan!”).

He has such and aptitude for language and communication beyond what I experienced with D, plus he knows himself so well.  He can clearly sense and express what he wants or needs.  He can and does tell me when he needs a nap or a diaper change or bedtime, all events that required {and still require} much more parental intervention with his brother.

Did you catch that little scratch on Wy’s forehead?  After spinning him around the other day and placing him on the ground, he got up, walked a few steps and then lost his balance right next to an open drawer.  He landed right on the sharpest corner in the room, obviously!   He needed a couple of stitches – which he handled so well, I’m still shocked.  There were tears, of course, but he didn’t fight it at all.

I think sometimes I overestimate his abilities.  He’s every ounce as daring and determined as D, he’s just generally more cautious and seems to have better physical balance.  I know that so much of his seemingly natural ability probably comes from having an older brother around to help guide him.

That comes with one caveat: joining in the plight of little brothers everywhere, Wy’s frequently frustrated by the struggle for any sort of playtime autonomy.  Cue sibling rivalry with crying… and mommy tantrums

Things I want to remember about this age:

• blowing kisses with an adorable loud lip smacking sound
• yelling “hello” at the top of his lungs to the neighbors whenever a window is open
• desperately running for the sidewalk every.single.time we leave the house in the hopes of a walk rather than a car ride
• screaming “Dyyan” with excitement when his brother gets home from school
• pointing to the pets and saying their names
• sweet cuddles
• always so excited for:
  • bath time and brushing teeth
  • putting on his shoes
  • snack times
  • meal times
  • nursing
  • washing hands
  • …you catch the drift

Wyatt, we love you so much and have enjoyed every second you’ve been in our lives.  Our family is fuller with you in it.  You are so special and unique and wonderful!