A Year and a Half Old!

     Yesterday, our precious baby boy turned 18 months old and for you math majors out there, that's a year and a half old!  I know I sound like a broken record each month, but this child brings Mark and I such joy.  He doesn't "fulfill" us or "make us whole" because that's what Jesus did for us when we accepted His free gift of salvation.  But Marcus sure does keep us on our toes and make us laugh a lot. 
     This morning as I was buckling him into his car seat he said, "Dig-dig!" in reference to the digger that we pass on the way there.  I thought, "wow, he knows that already!"  Now, it was his lucky day because after we went to the gym we passed a major construction site.  I circled the block to see if there was a place to park so he could better see the equipment in use and we found the PERFECT spot.  We were right on the side of a back road, directly beside a huge excavator.  The man maneuvering it dug and moved dirt while Marcus squealed and jumped with glee.  It was only five minutes of watching but Marcus enjoyed every last second of it before he waved "bye bye" to his "dig-dig."
     Now, I know I'm not supposed to compare him to other children, but sometimes I just can't help it.  We went and walked with a friend and another 18 month old today and the differences were amazing.  Marcus was much bigger, more energetic, louder, and much more aggressive that this sweet little boy.  God creates us all in His image, yet we have our own DNA and differences.  It's been plain to us from an early age that Marcus definitely doesn't fit in the normal curve of children his age, in all areas. In some ways, we're excited.  For example, he's very personable, has a large vocabulary, and tends to play well with other children.  Not only that, but he's as big as (if not bigger) that most 2 year olds and we all know that size plays a major role in athletics (should he chose to go that route...).  A down side to his "differences" would be that he has the potential to be "that kid" who's loud, obnoxious, and possibly ADHD.  There's no promise of any of that, of course, but as his mother, I often think of what he'll be when he grows up, gets older, etc.
     We have our 18 month appointment with Dr. Love next Monday and I'll be sure to post the stats.  I can already tell you he's off the charts in height and will be in the 50th-75th percentile in weight - I bet.  I bet he'll scream during the whole examination and then when it's all said and done, he'll shut the tears off like a faucet.
     Until then, we look forward to having Grandpa and Grandma Schuurman spend the rest of the week with us and you KNOW we'll have lots of pictures of their visit. *Warning* Spoiling approaching...

Daddy & Marcus watching basketball after church.

It's getting WARM down here & you can tell by his cheeks...he was hot.

"Watchu looking at!?"

Absolute sweetness

He pulled up a chair and did this ON HIS OWN today.

I got this stroller FREE today and Marcus thoroughly enjoyed pushing it around.

He literally did it for half a hour.

Elmo butt

We're not Irish, but we're wearing green

Ready to potty train?

     I'm not sure if Marcus is ready to potty train or if he just has a new infatuation with the toilet and his "manhood."  Either way, we're considering the EARLY attempts of potty training, nothing too serious, but we just want to see how he'll react. 
     Last night, I was undressing him to put on his pajamas.  As with most babies, he loves it when we let him run around naked.  He showed signs that he was about to pee (ie: leaned back and stood still) and so I said, "Don't pee on the carpet.  If you're going to pee...go to the kitchen."  Now, I know that sounds gross, but it's a LOT easier to clean pee of the kitchen floor than carpet, but I digress.  Anyhow, what'd he do?  He walked over to the kitchen, resumed his position, and peed his little heart out.  It was incredible. 
     He also likes to bust into the bathroom when Mark is using it and help him flush the toilet.  He squeals with glee when he watches the water swirl down.  So that's why today, we moved his stool over to the big boy potty.  It has previously been used as a kneeling bench for us when we bathe him, but it has a special feature that makes it into a step stool for children. 
     Today, we've tried a few times, taking him into the bathroom, standing him on his stool, and saying, "can you go pee pee?"  Both times he's been curious, willing, and grunts like he's trying.  But both times nothing happened.  He did, however, LOVE the flushing part, even though there was nothing to flush. 
     So there you have it.  Early, EARLY potty training going on over here.  We shall see what happens.  But either way, it's fun to see his reaction to it all.  I might try giving him treats every time he tries.  WE'LL SEE! :)

Our little boy is growing up

     Marcus Paul is definitely growing up and sometimes it makes us so proud!  Other times, we get sad because he's not our "little baby" anymore."  Yesterday, after church Mark was feeding him yogurt and they literally were having a conversation together.  When he was all finished, Marcus said, "all done" and got down.  Mark said, "when did you grow up so fast?"
     I would guess that he has close to 50 words, that are understandable by others, in his vocabulary.  Obviously, Mark and I understand his jibberish, most of the time, but when other people do, you know it's getting better.  The nursery worker at church told us that he said, "diaper" to her so she said, "do you need a new diaper?" and he said, "huh huh."  That's his version of yes or "uh huh."  She got a diaper, took him into the changing room and he reached for her to pick him up.  Sometimes he just AMAZES us!
     And one more quick story is about him and sirens.  He has a new infatuation with fire trucks and police cars, which he calls, "ca-cars," for cop cars.  Oh, and I'd better not forget his new favorite diggers and bulldozers.  He will say, "dee-dee" for digger and "doo-dooz-der" for bulldozer.  Anyhow, when we see a fire truck, he will make the most high pitched siren sound you've ever heard.  It's so cute!
     Alrighty, enough stories for now.  Enjoy some of the latest pictures. :)

Enjoying his "new" toys.

"Where'd it go?"

"Choo-Choo!"

I just like this because he has such a sweet profile. 

We had a playdate last Friday and he enjoyed all the new toys at their house.

Almost daily, he likes to "tir poons" or in English, "stir spoons."

Don't ask why, but he just loves doing this!

He's now starting to put his face into the water.

He LOVED watching Mark chip branches outside of our Charlotte home.

When they were done in the front, he dug in the mulch for a while.

Since this place is empty, he had TONS of space to ride his car.

He absolutely adored the rabbits next door and playing with sticks (or "ticks" as he called them).

Our Strong Willed Toddler

     We do not force Marcus to eat, nor to finish his whole meal.  But if we go to the trouble to prepare a meal, we do require that he takes at least one bite.  Most of the time, once he does, he realizes how he likes it, then he eats it on his own.  Recently, he's been refusing food that he's liked before such as noodles and today, it was bananas.  Here's his response when I asked him to take a bite:

FINALLY! Some more pictures!

Dearest Friends and Family,
     I promise to write a real blog soon, along with other pictures, but I figured these would hold you off until then.  If not, e-mail for more (just kidding).  Happy Sunday!
                                                                                                  Leah

The weather was so nice last week, Marcus played on the porch for HOURS. 

He enjoyed his $15 Craigslist playground last week as well.

Sweet eyes

The highlight of both their days was playing together.

Marcus got a new LOUD truck this weekend and LOVED it.

Uncle TJ was showing him how to shoot the nerf shotgun.

Once he figured out what it did, he thought it was hilarious.

Marcus enjoyed riding the four wheeler also. 

Playing outside with a dog and his daddy is all the boy could ask for.

When we started shooting skeet, Marcus refused ear muffs so we improvised.

This is how we do it!

Uncle TJ's first EVER diaper change.  Olivia was there to entertain Marcus.

He loves his Aunt Liv! (also, check out the new shirt we got him at the UNCA game)

WE GOT A NEW CAMERA!!!

     New blog later, but for now, enjoy a couple pictures I took with our new camera!!!