Eighteen Months

Today marks Samson's year and a half, and boy, has he become especially cute. It seems that all sorts of circuits in his brain have connected at once, the result being many new and often comical behaviors. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to catch many of these on camera, but here's a brief description of a few:

1. The moonwalk. Samson finds it hilarious to walk several steps away and then slowly shuffle backwards into Mama's arms for a "surprise" hug. He will do this about 50 times before he gets bored.

2. Downnnn...up! Daddy has for months played a game in which he stands holding Samson and suddenly bends his knees. As he alternatingly sinks down and then pops back up, he says, "Downnnnn...up! Up-down. Downnnn...up! Up-down." Last week, Samson gleefully showed us that he has his own version of this game, where he holds onto a piece of furniture and squats down, then quickly pops up to a stand and then back down again. He grins like a maniac while Mama and Daddy chant, "Downnnnn...up! Up-down."

3. Wheels. Samson is obsessed with all things wheeled. He can be entertained for quite some time just comparing the rate of spin among the 4 wheels of an upside down Tonka truck. Whenever we go outside, he must hurry to investigate the tires on any vehicle, wagon, or wheelbarrow. Rides in the Radio Flyer or a shopping cart inevitably lead to Samson leaning over the edge of his seat to observe the wheels as they turn round. And of course, the "Wheels on the Bus" is a daily ditty.

4. Look what I can do with this pink thing! A recent discovery for Samson is the myriad of movements and sounds one can accomplish with one's tongue. He loves to smack, click, flatten, twist, stick out, and otherwise contort his tongue.

5. Dancing machine. This past week, Samson has begun humming to himself and doing a little booty-shaking, head-bobbing jig. Mama and Daddy then get very excited and join in for a family dance off, creating a shocking display that should never be revealed in public. The things we do for our child!

6. Fangs. All four canine teeth are erupting this month, so Samson has four little sharp spikes in the corners of his smile. He's chewing a lot on his fingers and crunchy foods to help those little boogers break through.

7. Security blocks. Samson spends much of the day and evening with one or both fists tightly grasping a wooden block that he carries around where ever he goes. His favorite is a yellow cylinder, but he'll carry a red one or a randomly colored cube if it's all that's accessible.

8. Peekaboo, anytime, anywhere. For Samson, any time is the right time for a round of peekaboo: around the corner or beneath the chair from Mama's computer desk; under the newspaper on Sunday morning; behind the wash cloth at bath time; over the kitchen island; in the car's rear view mirror; etc. He never tires of this game.

9. Inside joke. Samson is enjoying more time at independent play in the house and we often overhear him giggling about something that has amused him. Who knows what he is thinking, but that little laugh just melts Mama every time.

10. Fried taters. Never refused, in any format. Skinny, fat, crinkled, battered, tots, sweet potato, hot or cold: it's all good with Samson.