Marcel at 17 Months

My little Marcel, you are such a happy blessing to us.  The past couple months have been all about you coming into your own personality and it is proving to be the very best!  You are hilarious, sensitive, persistent, adventurous, gentle, affectionate, independent, a prankster, and just the sweetest boy a mama could hope for!

Life since you came along has been so wonderful, and watching the friendship build and grow between you and your dear sister has been such an extremely beautiful thing to witness as your Mother.  You continue to adore her and follow her every move, but have definitely learned to carry your own opinions and claim territory to all the things you deem your very own.  You don't like being very far from her and find everything to be better with her around.  You antagonize her constantly laughing through all of her shrieks of disapproval and suffering.  It is funny to me every time but in defense of your kind sister always asking (read: yelling miserably) for help rather than show her frustrations physically towards you, I correct you and come to her rescue!  You are quick to make things right, and always shower her with kisses and love.  

You are extremely social, always waving to passersby giving them your most charming smile with your eyes batting, wooing all the ladies every where we go, but put you in a room full of people at a large social gathering and you become Mr. Serious hardly cracking a smile.  You are definitely like your father in that way, always preferring to be with those closest to you having good quality one on one time, especially in your own territory.  If we have a guest over, you are all about showing off your funny side, taking out all your favorite things and dancing around the room.  For a long while, leaving you for nursery was so hard for me as you would hold tightly to my arm as I would pass you to the sweet girl behind the counter, but in the last month you have started walking in all on your own reaching for the ladies or running towards a toy that catches your eye.  You are growing up so quickly, and I love seeing you blossom and change growing more independent with each passing day.

Animals are an extremely exciting thing for you, and much like your sister, you have no fear.  You are cautious at times, but it doesn't take much for the caution to turn into over zealous excitement.  You meow, woof, moo, but mostly you roar for all things animal.  Growling is a common sound as well as you lie on your belly playing with the horse and elephant making them prance across the living room floor.  Your other great love is any form of transportation whether it be car, train, plane, truck, or tractor they are all your favorites and evoke great sounds of glee any time they pass us by as you point your little finger exclaiming, "BEEP! BEEP!!"  You are full of life and it is so fun to watch you take in the world around you expressing yourself through sounds and words that are specific to you.  You are most definitely an observer, watching and learning each new thing with great concern always using your little hands to figure out how things work, fiddling until you get it just right.

Marcel, we are having so much fun getting to know you and love the little boy you are growing up to be.  There are so many things that make you uniquely you and set you apart from you sister, and seeing you take on your own likes and dislikes is a wonderful thing even if it includes far more expressive, tantrum type behavior than we are used to. :)   I can't believe you will be a year and a half in just a few short weeks!!  Your joy and curiosity for life is a blessing to be a part of and I pray you continue to grow in joy and a desire to pass it on to those around you in everything you do. 

A Few Random Facts 17 months:

Favorite Foods:  meat of all kinds especially shrimp and fish, pretzels, fruits, oatmeal, yogurt, french fries, and CHOCOLATE!!

Favorite Things:  your nigh-night, snacks, shoes--always bringing them to their proper owners, books, matchbox cars, animals, laughing with your sister and having all her attention

Favorite Activities:  baths, being outside, walks in your stroller, playing with your kitchen, playing in the sink, following your sister, eating but more so playing with your food, making messes, bothering Zaylee, hugging all the kids!

Least Favorite things:  quick movements including swings, being spun or thrown in the air, loud sudden noise, being surprised, when Mama and Papa play wrestle or tickle (you cry every time), sharing your snacks, the doctor

Words:  Mama, Papa, Zaylee, Liesel, nigh-night, hot, ball, bubble, bird, button, book, baby, out, no, yeah, shoe, please, all done, thank you, more, Mamie, Papi, fishie, beep beep, bye, hi, hello, uh oh, you have really started parroting things the past couple weeks and it is so fun to hear you communicate more each day! All words subject to mama's interpretation :)  We know the words but others may not have a clue what you are trying to say. 

Sleep:  naps 1.5 to 2.5 hours and 11-12 hours at night with your car blanket as of 14 months!  Still a much lighter sleeper than Zaylee, but you are a master at transferring from the car to your bed and that is such a blessing!!

Weight:  22 pounds
Height:  31 inches (I think?)

 **Pictures are from 15 months to now :)