Porter 18 month Portraits

Porter is a year and a half old today! Happy sort-of-half-birthday son! My little baby is getting all "growed" up. Yesterday Aunt Miriam took his pictures and here are a few. Aren't they amazing?! Doesn't he just melt your heart?! And for those of you who don't know him, let me formally introduce you to......his teddy. I bought teddy (two actually, along with a few other animals I've since sold) brand new about 5 years ago from a garage sale when I lived in Vegas. Kept him knowing someday one of my children would like it. A self-fulfilled prophecy I guess 'cause Porter LOVES him! He's not as soft and shiny as he once was (had several rumble tumble times in the washer/dryer), but still a cute thing. I love that he is in these pictures for memories and shows a part of Porter's life.
Daddy didn't get to make it to the photo session so it's a good thing cousins Lincoln and Peyton were there. That's the only way we got him to smile; he would laugh at their funny faces, noises, and watching them jump up and down. Told them they deserve a percentage of the commission. =P
My little jail bird. =) I can't even pick out a favorite out of these. Which would you choose? I need votes; got to hang some and I'm pretty indecisive when it comes to choices like this.
Tip your hat to a lady...check. What a gentlemen. Wait, does he have teddy by the throat?! Come on Port-Port; I know you don't always like having a hat on but come on.
Porter can do some new signs: bath and toothbrush. He has also started signing "milk" again (he stopped for awhile and would only sign "please" when he wanted milk). Another new development is he now takes all his baths in the bathtub like a big boy as of last week. Previously it was always sitting in the baby tub that sat in the bathtub. That way used less water and was quicker, but now he likes to slip and slide and walk around. Today is also the first day to use toothpaste when brushing his teeth. I asked at the dentist office when it's safe and they said at about 18 months so today is the day! They did say it should be children's toothpaste of course. He likes it; tastes good to him. As for stats, Porter is approximately 30 inches tall and weighing him today at home about 23 lbs. He is the most fun, precious, pint-size kid! I love you Master P!

Dish Washer Toddler

Little dude is such a big "helper" and loves to help me do chores, like unload the dish washer. This time I had unloaded it already so he decided to get "in" it; that's when he noticed his toy on the counter. He's such a fun kid. He hasn't tried the dryer yet...yet...
Saturday we attended cousin Presley's 1st birthday party (Porter's cousin; our niece) and he loved it! They had bubbles and Porter has known the sign for bubbles but that was the first time he actually said the word bubbles. Happy Birthday cousin Presley! And Happy Birthday to cousin Landon in Vegas; he turned 4 yesterday. We love you cousins/niece/nephew!!!

Mini-Me Undercover

You all probably know Porter is Aaron's direct mini-me. Week or so ago Aaron was getting ready for work (usually works undercover so in civilian clothes with gear on), and he added some things to Porter's 'belt': handcuffs, badge, flashlight, weapon...and the result was a mini-version of Aaron-cop! His face in this first picture actually looks a lot like me as a kid. Go figure; possible physical evidence and proof he is also mine. =P
This lip thing is new; he just recently started doing that along with an "N" sound resembling "no", but kinda is "neeo". SO CUTE!!!!

Porter will be 18 months old in a week. My baby is getting all "growed" up! He loves watching "Little Einsteins" and when they do the "pat, pat, pat", Porter also does it saying "pa, pa, pa" and lifts his arms for the "blast off"! It is really too cute. He is still on a really good schedule of 10-11 hrs sleeping at night, awake for 3 hrs, nap for 2-3hrs, awake another 3, nap again for 1-2 hrs, awake 3 hrs and to bed around 8:30-9:30pm. He loves bath time, loves any kind of music and dancing to it, loves drinking from a straw, loves any kind of fruit, and loves his Daddy above all else. We are working on brushing teeth and a few days he has let me but mostly fights it. Porter is such a funny kid; he is just hilarious. One thing he did yesterday that made me laugh was imitating me every time I yawned. He would just open his mouth wide each time; I could never "finish" a yawn because I was laughing! Aaron is still busy busy busy with work. He is so good though to spend a lot of time with Porter and taking him to the park or on walks. He also makes sure to take me out once a week for a date. I am having a blast with my Porter every single day, having fun serving in Young Women's, love spending time with friends, and recently picked up running. Learning to endure it and even convincing myself to like it. In the past couple weeks I have run 3 miles on the treadmill a couple times a week. Not too bad for a person who previously had not run more than a single consecutive mile. ;)

Library Valentine

Porter and I had a busy day! Playing at the gym (Mommy ran 3 miles while Porter played in the daycare), story time at Washington Library, nap (him, not me), lunch, "Toddler Time" at the St. G Library, playing at the park with friends, nap (again him, not me), dinner, playing at neighbors house while Mommy went to the Temple with the young women, bath, prayer/story/bed time...the end! *WHEW!* Exhausted! My friend Erin took this picture of Porter and I at our first story time of the day (thanks Erin!); Porter 'colored' a Valentine for Daddy. I love this kid! He is my pride and joy. He is coming up on 18 months in couple weeks and just today is making noises that sound like he is saying "no". Oh boy...and so it begins...

Dedicated to Chancho

My puppy Chancho; also referred to as "Prince Chancho". Here are a few pictures of him as a puppy. We have had him over 2 1/2 years and he is honestly the best dog. He is everything a dog should be: obedient, loyal, playful, protective, cuddly, and fun. I love him. He isn't very good at sharing and gets pretty testy if another animal or a child try to take something away from him. I love my puppy Chancho!

Precious Messy Face

My little son the highlight of my life. Sunday this is how I found him during nap time. Just an exhausted little guy who looks like he could have a chalk outline done...and his teddy matches his pose! The other picture was at lunch today; he really got into that PB&J. I just love this child. I could kiss his face off!

Happy Ground Hog Day!

Happy Ground Hog Day everyone! My Porter has been teething more and has had a tiny fever off and on associated with it but doing very well. My little tough baby-trooper-man! Not too manly for a teddy and blankie though. *wink* Still surrenders his binki when asked for it and now doing additional signs such as "more", "drink", and "car" (which he does when he wants to drive). Just yesterday he started saying "Go!" while pointing somewhere, imitating his Daddy when he tells dogs to go on the carpet and not beg during dinner. Porter is 17 months old as of Saturday and 20 lbs. A more recent "word" he has added to his vocabulary is "yeah" in response to any question that merit's a "yes". Porter is so cute and funny--kid is hilarious! His favorite song right now is "Wheels on the Bus" and he loves to drive the car (aka: stand on the seat and move the steering wheel).
This is Porter at the library today sitting in a chair and "reading". *tee hee*
And this is our Ground Hog project! The ground hog is on a chop stick so you can move it up and down to pop in and out of his hole! Found some cute songs/poems online about ground hogs and some to familiar tunes like "Twinkle Star" and "I'm a Little Teapot". Can you tell I'm having fun with this kid? [Update: just tonight for the first time I saw Porter do the signs for "bubbles" and "bird"!!!]