18 Months

Height:  32.5"  50%
Weight:  22 lbs 20%
Head: 19" 90%

Dear Kolton,

I wanted to make sure I document who you are at 18 months because you have certainly changed a bunch in the last 6 months.  I used to worry about how introverted, timid, and shy you seemed to be.  Well worry no longer, at 18 months you are rambunctious!  Don't get me wrong you are still thoughtful and a little cautious.  But once you know how to do something you are NON STOP.  Just like walking...  You waited until you were 17 months old to walk on your own consistently but in no time you are running.  You also love to stand on furniture and even in shopping carts!  I think your favorite thing to do right now is wrestle Sophie.  She tolerates you because she loves you so much.  However, I need to teach you how to be gentle with her because she's my little lady and I need to protect her too.

The funny thing is that now that you are soooo independent you've also become more clingy simultaneously.  All of the sudden you want to be with me ALL of the time.  You even cry when I put you to bed but stop by the time I get downstairs.  So, why bother?  I think its because you hate being away from me.  This weekend we are packing to move to our 2nd Richmond home.  My dear, you are TERRIFIED of the noise the packing tape makes.  I don't get it, I really don't get it.  It breaks my heart to see you so afraid but Mommy and Daddy need to get stuff done.  It has taken a really long time to pack because 1/2 the time you are in my arms.  The other 1/2 of the time you are clinging to my leg.  I can only guess that you sense a big change is coming. However, you are also scared of the blender.  I wish I knew what was going through your head so I could ease your fears.

At 18 months you have not spoken any real words yet.  The pediatrician is concerned and wants me to get your hearing checked.  I was never worried about you hearing and after the tape incidents this weekend I am definitely not worried.  If anything I think maybe you hear things louder than they actually are.  But, I'll do it just to rule it out.  I've heard so many stories about kids who don't speak until they are closer to 2 or even 3.  You make a lot of sounds and I still love hearing you "talk" to yourself through the monitor in the morning.  Words will come.  And just like all of your other milestones it wouldn't surprise me in the least if you started speaking in sentences.

Well, my precious baby, we live in a crazy world.  A week or so ago a psychotic man brought a gun to a movie theater and killed 12 people.  Within the past month I found out one friend is dealing with the passing of her father, a boy I knew as a teenager has an inoperable brain tumor, and a high school acquittance just lost his 8 year old daughter to another mysterious spine mass.  I lay awake at night thinking about these people and praying they are able to make it through these dark days some how.  And I'm reminded what a privilege it is to be your Mommy.  Even when you are being whiny or pulling my hair, which hurts a great deal by the way.  It is a privilege to love and teach you.  I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful son.

Love You & Like You,
Mommy

Logistics

I am the master of logistics!  Thankfully the stars aligned and I was able to reschedule my move for July 31st.  Even Kolton's babysitter was able to change her work days so she can watch him =)  I spent most of the day on the phone with a few more calls to go.  But now I am just beside myself because we won't be able to get our TV hooked up until August 8th which means we are going to miss the Olympics =(  I'm hopeful that I'll be able to watch some of it online as that's getting installed on the 1st.  I feel like I'm conquering the universe! We may be a little nuts for doing this knowing we are moving into another temporary situation and may be moving yet again a year or two from now.

Screaming In The Rain

Today was a wonderful rainy, lazy, day!  I should have known...nothing is every simple!  At the risk of sounding crabby yet again tonight I got shocking text.  Our property manager simply stated we needed to be out by July 31st when for weeks we agreed on August 4th.  But of course I didn't get it in writing and our lease only goes through the end of July.  Ugh!!!!  I have movers, utilities, and even a babysitter all set to go for the 4th.  Now I'm left scrambling.  I'm pretty sure our new place is going to be vacant by the 31st but was supposed to be cleaned on that day.  I guess I'll find out more tomorrow but seriously!  SERIOUSLY!  AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Houdini

I just got back from Target where Kolton learned a new trick.  He stood up in the child seat of the cart! He even slipped through the safety belt.  If I can't take him out shopping my life is about to become both very interesting and very boring depending on how you look at it.  He's also opening doors! There is nothing cuter than hearing the door open and seeing his little head come around the corner.

We decided to go up to Baltimore at the last minute this weekend.  There are some things at our house that need repairing and we just needed to see things for ourselves.  Mike and I were a little anxious about how we would feel seeing it after a year, surprisingly we were fine.  I think we've been able to accept our new life and look at the house as an investment we want to maintain.  Maybe someday we'll be back there, maybe we won't.  But now its more about the people and the city and less about our house.  We were even able to get a babysitter and hang out with friends just like the good ol days =)  It's weird but we still feel a sense of belonging.

Master of Disguise

Lately, the only things Kolton will eat a lot of are watermelon and bread.  I decided to try getting trick yand make ham & cheese muffins.  Of course I had to go out and buy ALL of the ingredients.  I don't think I've ever had flour or baking powder on hand before!  And outside of a minor misunderstanding about buttermilk...I bought dry powder and didn't realize I had to add water :)...I think they turned out pretty good.  

He wouldn't even try a single bite!  I don't understand!  How in the world did he know????  So I resorted to pizza.  Do you think he might be playing me?!?!

Holding Pattern

There is not much going on in the Junkans household.  We are looking forward to the move in a couple of weeks.  I'm in that state of not caring how clean things are.   I'm also not obsessively packing either.  Basically that means I'm just being lazy.  Then of course there is this opressive heat!  And is anybody else completely bored with summer TV?  There is NOTHING on.  I can't wait for the olympics!

Kolton has been crying it out at bed time all week.  At first he was reaching 20-25 minutes before  settling down, then it was 15, then 10, and less than 5 last night.  I'm not sure if we'll ever get back to that place where he went down happily without a peep.

Like I said, not much going on here!  I guess we are just in a holding pattern for a while.

Wisconsin 2012

I took Kolton to Oakwood Mall to run around in the play area and check out some rides.  He was a natural in the Jeep.

He spent a lot of time running around in the grass.  Yes, running!

I'm the man!  With cousins Zoey and Brooke.

Who needs a lift?

All smiles with cousin Kristin.

Here I come Ladies!

 4th of July Party with Grandma Barb. (My Mom)

Story Time with Grandma Fay. (Mike's Mom)

 Four Wheeling with Papa Del. (My Stepdad)

 Giggles with Daddy.

My Mom and Stepdad with all of their current grandchildren. Zoey is getting a little sister next month!

I love the look on Kolton's face =)

Outside of the pooping incident the first night we got there Sophie was so good.  I even let her run off leash.  My Mom lives on a number of acres close to a highway so I was a little nervous but she stayed in the yard most of the time.  She'd only cross the fence into the field to do her business and then come racing back.  What a smart pup!

In Flight

This was the best I could get!  I just had to share that I had the most enjoyable flight with Kolton today. He played quietly with my iPhone during boarding.  As compared to the mass hysteria that ensued on our way out to WI.  The he watched out the window with wander as we took off.  He did this funny thing where he turns my head from side to side.  Then planted a big kiss.  And for the grand finale he wrapped his arms around my neck and fell asleep nuzzled into my neck.  By cruising altitude he was passed out!  After 2 hours he woke up with only 20 minutes left and flirted with the little girl in the seat next to us.  I wish you could have been there to see it!  He was soooo goood!!!!!

Crabby

It's our last night in Wisconsin and what a wonderful vacation it has been.  I'll have a picture post recap soon.  While I was here I got the chance to catch up with some wonderful friends; some I haven't seen in over 10 years.  Some of them read this blog and mentioned (jokingly) that I sound a tad crabby on here.  Hello!  Eye-opener!  Recent events have reminded me of what a truly blessed life I live.  I hate it that sometimes I need that reminder.  So I'm vowing (again) to be more upbeat and focus on all the wonderful in life instead of all my problems which are nothing compared to what others have to deal with.  Kolton's little smile is reason enough =)

1997

I graduated from high school in 1997.  This past weekend was my 15 year reunion.  Unbelievable that I am really that old.  It was a lot of fun to see everyone.  Its hard to believe that so much time has passed. My high school was very small, my class was about 70 kids, and I'd say about 1/3 of the class was there.  From what we know everyone is still alive but 2 are in jail...nice!  I feel a little bad but basically I just talked to all of my friends and didn't even say hello to those I didn't know as well.  I just wasn't in the mood for awkward conversation I guess. But in my defense they didn't approach me either. I find myself thinking a lot about who I was then, who I am today, and who I've been and known in between.  The funny thing is I feel I was more mature and self assured at 18 than I am at 33.  Is that weird???? 

Kolton has been a little energizer bunny.  Its slightly tragic how much time I spent worrying about him walking because now the kid does not sit still!  He basically walks around in circles going from one room to the next and back again.  AND OMG he is so off schedule I don't even care anymore. We're talking small little cat naps and 10:00 bedtimes.  Gotta love summer time!  I'm wishfully thinking that he'll magically get back on track once we are home...but we are here for another week!