18-month stats:

weight: 28 pounds, 3 ounces; 90th percentile
height: 34 3/4 inches (the nurse did a very rushed haphazard job on this, so we wonder about the accuracy); 98th percentile
head circumference: 19 inches? (I can't quite make out the writing); 74th percentile

Atticus is repeating more and more words. I wouldn't say his vocabulary is huge, but it's growing. Some words he's been using more routinely lately include "shoes," "teeth," "bath," "eyes," and "me" and "mine."

I've probably mentioned this before, but Atticus loves to vacuum and is frequently requesting that we take out the vacuum for him. Sometimes he plays pretend vacuum by pushing his old-fashioned bead popper and dragging a telephone behind him. Creative, no?

He's also big on climbing. This morning I barely looked away for a second to put a dish in the dishwasher, and when I turned back, he was sitting on top of the dining table, casual as can be. It was Poltergeistish: instead of chairs suddenly stacked on the table, think cross-legged toddler.

When we play blocks, he tries to lift blocks I've stacked from the base ever so carefully so that the structures don't collapse. And when I put puzzle pieces together, he tries to lift them together without separating them. When they do separate and he's unable to piece them together again, he gets angry and gives the pieces a beating.

Atticus loves, loves, loves stickers, and he's become a pretty big fan of play-doh. He loves to watch me cook and is eager to help in any way he can. He also enjoys trying to jump--he's getting close.

He's been going to sleep on his own for nearly a month now, even for naps. I sing "Twinkle, twinkle, little star," then kiss him and tell him goodnight. He lays down without any protest whatsoever. It's been a serious life-changer.