Today Henry turns 18 months old and, according to our doctor, is the size of an average (50th percentile) three-year-old. Just let that sink in for a minute. Henry is the average size for someone twice his age. As you can imagine that means he is in 3T clothing. Since he was born we have gone through 8 sizes of clothing. Wow. This is obviously not surprising to anyone that knows our family. Height is on both sides (especially Nick's obviously) but to hear that he is the size of an average three-year-old really put it in perspective.
Besides growing physically like a weed, he's learning and growing mentally everyday. We are amazed everyday at things he's picked up on that we haven't taught him. Like the other day he picked up a wrapper off the floor, walked to the trashcan, pulled it out, and threw it away. We'd never shown him that and he just did it. Just like you or I would. This made me think about all the things he learns just by watching. And it made me realize how much you teach by doing. We've gone over and over "where's your nose? show me your teeth!" and he responds to those cues often but not always. But he knows when I start to pack up my bag that the sitter is coming. He knows because he's watching everything we do. That is something that I need to remember. And that all parents need to remember. They won't learn only what you say and what you want them to, they will learn it all. They will learn it's okay to sit on your phone at dinner or yell at your spouse or say bad words. But they will also learn to hug and listen and laugh and eat ice cream for breakfast once in awhile. It's amazing how just him throwing away a piece of trash made me realize this. But I realized it. And I've adapted some actions because of it. I'm not perfect but I'll try to be the best I can for Henry.
Henry is amazing. He loves being outside, Elmo, his blanket, grapes, reading and eating at the table like a big boy. Below is my favorite recent picture. We were outside after we'd gone pumpkin picking and I just happened to snap it when he sat down along the fence. He's just the best.
HENRY JOSEPH MEYER
18 MONTHS
36.25in (100%)
28lbs (85%)
