Owen is 18 months old!

We just had Owen's 18 month checkup and his growth is right on track. He's consistently been in the 25th percentile, more or less.

Weight: 24 lbs 1 oz, 25th percentile
Height: 31 inches, 25th percentile

Owen has gotten more and more playful in the last few months and he's more fun than ever. Here is what he's up to these days...

Eyes: I think Owen's eyes have turned a little more gray than blue, but Tom still says they're blue.

Hair: Owen's hair is still super light blond and very thin and fine. After his first serious trim a month ago it's starting to get a little scraggly again so we probably need another haircut soon. Owen frequently runs his food-covered hands through his hair at meals and gives himself a Flock of Seagulls look. Oatmeal is a particularly potent hair product.

Clothes: 24 month Carter's PJs and rompers, 12-18 month Janie and Jack, 12-18 month or 18-24 month GAP and Old Navy.

Diapers: Pampers Size 5 (he was in a 4 for a loooong time).

Favorite entertainment: Owen really likes to color with crayons on an easel, a piece of paper, or our kitchen bar. I was happy to learn that washable crayons come off of our bar very easily. Owen LOVES the computer, keyboard, and mouse, but he only gets to play with those when we skype with Grandma and Grandpa. Other favorites: Chasing Shakespeare and pulling his tail, bouncing and pushing the big balance ball, Little People animal alphabet sounds, hockey sticks, talking alphabet toys, Mr. Potato Head.

Favorite books: "Pat the Bunny," "Goodnight Gorilla," "Goodnight Moon," "We're Going on a Bear Hunt," "Hop on Pop."

Favorite songs: Song from daycare about a turtle named Tiny Tim who swallows soap and water. Owen's favorite part is the "...bubble bubble POP!" at the end.

Guaranteed laugh: Tom tossing Owen onto the couch from above. Me pretending to chomp on his legs, arms, and tummy. Me reaching back to tickle his chin when he's in his car seat.

Mobility: Owen runs around now. He goes up and down our stairs without any trouble, but he still doesn't climb up on to the couch by himself.

Bath time: Right now, Owen is playing with stacking cups and foam letters and numbers in the bath. When the water drains out he watches the drain and waves bye bye to the water.

Sleep: For naps and bedtime, Owen drinks milk from a straw cup while we read stories in his room. Then we brush his teeth. Then we hold him and sing a gentle version of "Sweet Child of Mine" with the chorus adapted to say "O-Owen, sweet child of mine." We joke that he's going to be out with friends someday and hear the real Guns N' Roses version in a bar and fall fast asleep. Owen sleeps 11-12 hours at night (7:30pm bedtime) and takes one nap for 1-1.5 hours each afternoon.

Car rides: We still have Owen rear facing in his car seat. He rides pretty happily and since it's safer for him to be rear facing we haven't turned him around yet.

Teeth: Lots and lots of teeth.

Speech: Owen seems to learn new words every day. In addition to his long-time default sound "da," he also says a lot that sounds like gibberish to us, but I'm sure he knows what he's talking about. Here's a little of his talking history in the order I remembered to write them down:

6/22/10 (15 months): words: mama, dada, nana (banana and my mom), dog (duh); signs: more (point to chest), please (flat hand rub chest), milk, no, dog, fan

7/26/10 (16 months): bath (ba), ball (ba), baa baa (sheep), mmmmm (moo), fish face, elephant sound, water (ba ba / wa wa), tractor (dacda), yes (da, then ya), down (duh)

8/4/10: words: duck; signs: all done, eat

8/13/10: hot, oink sound (sounds like choking), meow (high pitched "haaaa"), hiss

8/17/10 (17 months): jump, baby

9/1/10: pop (same sound as jump), river (veva)

9/10/10: cheese, please, bridge (when he walks under my legs), mommy

9/26/10 (18 months): me, sticker (tick)

Newest trick: Owen bends his knees and then straightens them and says "jump!" He thinks he's jumping, but he's not leaving the ground. Owen also tries to walk up and down our driveway, but he usually asks to be picked up once he gets to the steepest part. I wish someone would pick me up at the steepest part.