Who had a Birthday?

I was going through my camera and noticed these pictures of my Grandpa. He turned 87 last week. We had everyone over for cake and ice cream, and I think the kids were more excited than anyone. My grandparents have been such an important part of our life that is a little sad to watch them grow older.  The practical side of me knows that this is the way life is supposed to be and this is part of our Heavenly Father's plan.  But the selfish side of me knows that time is not on their side.  Apparently Prentice has similar sentiments because at one point during the party when Grandpa was saying he was glad to have a birthday so we could have good cake, Prentice proceeded to say,  "yea and at least you didn't die."  I gave her that look of don't say anything else and hoped that not many people had heard.  But as I thought more about her innocent comment I actually thought it was pretty funny and cute.  I guess we are glad that Grandpa Oral Ballam is around for yet another birthday.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

18 months

Cardon's 18 month stat:

Weight 23.7 lbs.  21%
Length 31.5 in.    26%
Head Circumference  18.7  44%

Apparently I haven't been the best about taking pictures of him for his 18 month post...but he can only blame himself.  He is BUSY.  I feel like I completely need to go through and re baby proof my house.  With two older ones I feel like I can't monitor him all the time like I might have been able to with busy Truman when he was my only one.  Cardon is teaching us all to pick up things and put them away because if there is a marker, pencil, scissors, or anything in a tube that can be pumped or squished he finds it!   He likes to pull things off shelves and walls and now knows that if he looks at us while he is being a stinker he may get a reaction that is kind of fun too.

At 18 months you:
are saying a few more words
jumping off things (the fireplace is the highest one so far)
can open and slam shut all the doors
escape to the garage and play in my car
are learning to stay out of the road
love to push strollers and lawnmower
have had a cold
got your first badly cut lip (weren't sure if you needed stitches)
are really starting to run
play in the sandbox a lot
understand so much
make animal noises
get a diaper when you poop
turn on the tub
are a picky eater but we are trying to be more firm to get you to try more things
went to nursery at church
turn on the T.V.
like to unload drawers and cupboards
play peek a boo
stand on our back or bounce up and down
hit a little too much but always pat us afterwards
are really good at kicking and throwing balls
unload dirt from out pots
climb on things, especially tables
got a mini haircut
sit down to put shoes on and get dressed
are still fairly serious, especially around strangers

Like I mentioned, we are working harder on having you eat what we give you at mealtimes and not giving in to letting you snack on whatever you want.  You are doing better with this and seem to be hungrier when we eat and more willing to eat things other than just snacks.  You are spending a lot more time outside since it is finally cooling down and that is good for everyone.  Contrary to the picture above where Cardon is a food mess is actually quite good at feeding himself and does so for most meals.  We are also working on getting you to communicate a little better and use signs and words to tell us when you want, instead of just saying "ma" for most everything you want or need.  Here's to many more months of a crazy little boy gearing us all up for the terrible twos!