Dear Nolan... You're 21 Months Old

My sweet, squishy Noley-Bear...
Oh, my baby... you've grown and changed so much in the last 3 months. I knew it was going to happen, but I never anticipate it all happening so fast. You are thriving, sweet baby. You love hugs, kisses, cuddling, high-fiving, and being outside.
You're an affectionate child, especially with the people you love most. You are still crazy about your pops... you have a really strong bond with him and when he's around, you still don't want anyone else. It's absolutely heartwarming to see you adoration for him, you reach for him, point at pictures of him and yell "bops", and you cry by the door when he leaves.
One night last month I was putting you in bed and you pointed at the rocking chair, which I knew was a cue that you wanted me to hold you and rock you. So of course, I did. Most nights, you like to sit with us for a few minutes before bed to wind down. You're sleeping pretty well at night - most nights you go down between 7 and 7:30pm and you're up usually between 7-7:30am. You nap once a day and do really well going down on your own. We put you in your crib and you sleep from about 12:30 or 1 to anywhere between 3 and 4. You love your bed and especially your blankies from Gramz, which you call "Gink-ies" and your paci "boba". When I go in after you've been sleeping I still breathe deeply because you have a certain scent that fills the room. I hope it never goes away.
You're communicating with your words better everyday. Your vocabulary is growing and now you can say between 15-20 words. Some of them only I can understand, but you are definitely trying to say more. Some of the words you're saying: mama, dada, bops, boba, ginkie, sissy, Andie, Elena, Mickey, car, fire truck, more, thank you (you say this on your own now, which is adorable), and everyone's favorite word: BYE. You say it so matter-of-fact with the cutest little emphasis on the "i" sound. Sometimes we will copy you because it's so darling.
You also rely heavily on your other forms of communication, especially nodding your head yes and no, waving, pointing, and the occasional screams. When you see airplanes in the sky you point up and yell at us to look! You also like to point at the features on our faces when we are holding you. You will point at our eyes and say "eyes", "hair", "nose", "mouth", and "ear". You know where most of your own body parts are and will point at them when we ask you.
You absolutely adore your sister and you miss her when she's in preschool. She started in August and the first few days she was there you walked around the house looking for her while she was gone. You two are playing really well together and seeing you interact makes me melt. You are always excited to see each other first thing in the morning, you give hugs and kisses with out being prompted to, and sometimes I will find you snuggling in her bed or while you're watching something on tv.
Your favorite toys are trucks, cars, tractors, and balls. You started gymnastics last month and you really enjoy it! Each week I am noticing you getting better at the little skills they're teaching - last week I was so proud of you because you listened to the teacher and waited your turn to do what she asked. You also love roughhousing with dada & your sister and riding in the cozy coupe car your auntie Kelly got you.
One of your favorite things to do is go outside, and we try to get out several times a day. You love riding around on the trikes and cars, playing with rocks, and going down the slide on the little jungle gym we have. You also like to go on the big trampoline and run around in circles with the ball.
We turned you around in your carseat recently because you were still very unhappy facing backwards. I feel safer when I drive knowing I am not paying constant attention to the back seat trying to make sure you have what you need to be content. You love watching out the window and being able to me in the front seat and see your sister next to you.
You're a big eater! You are starting to eat a few more different foods, which makes me happy. Your favorites are fruit and you eat lots of it with every meal - especially blueberries, strawberries, apples, bananas, apricots and peaches. You also love green smoothies from Whole Foods, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, hamburgers (you will eat an entire burger) & taquitos. Sometimes I struggle to get you to eat your broccoli and sometimes you'll eat the entire cup with no problem, I haven't figured you out yet!
You're wearing 2T clothes and pajamas and size 4 diapers. You love bath time with your sister and you also love to shower with us. We spent a lot of the summer in the pool at Gramz & Pop's house and you also had fun at the splash pad near our house. We celebrated the 4th of July with Gramz & Pops and you fell asleep before the fireworks show at the club, so your great grandma Nancy stayed with you at the house and watched you on the monitor. You also got to swim with your great grandpa John in the pool. He loves watching you and commented on how you want to be just like the big kids! He's such a sweet soul, Nolan, what an honor that you share his middle name.
I still stare at you sometimes and am blown away that you're my baby. I love looking at your little body and all of your features. You're a beautiful little boy. Big blue eyes, the sweetest smile - so darn cute! You're happy, easy going, and playful. I am so proud of you and how you love life and your people. I hope you always feel my unconditional love for you and know how much I want the very best for you. Always believe in yourself, because I surely do, my baby.
When I was holding you last night, smelling you and feeling your weight on my chest... I had a vision of the future and I hope you'll always hug me like you do now.
Love you so much, my baby.
Mama