tell me about your 18-19 month old

cjsbdl

DH and I were talking this afternoon about life with two babies in the house and wondering how Henry is going to react to the new baby, etc, and I realized that I really have no idea what an 18-month old is like.

So I'm curious. If you have or have had an 18 month old, what are they doing at this age?

TIA!

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12-20 months was HARD to me... they are mobile, but no sense of danger... so clumsy... everything is dangerous --- when Griffin got closer to 2 y/o he suddenly became a lot easier to me - more sturdy, understood more, communicated more, etc.

Griffin was 2y2mo when the twins were born- he did great.  18mo might be a little harder - she won't understand quite as much right away - but it will work out just fine - just make sure she gets tons of attention (you can put the baby down easily to play with your DD... they are luggage in those early months- take advantage of that!)

SeaSoul

Cal will be 19 months on Tuesday.  He is a lot of work - not gonna lie!  But, honestly, this is the cutest stage yet.  He is talking and singing and dancing and inquisitive and just a lot of fun.  The work comes from the activity level - he is on the MOVE.  And getting into lots of things he shouldn't.  He also is less interested in independent play right now, and very demanding of our attention/interaction.  So, my advice would be to make sure you have a completely baby-proofed house so you don't have to worry when he wanders off into another room (otherwise you're going to go crazy).  And make sure you or your DH are available at all times to Henry so he doesn't feel neglected - otherwise he is probably going to pitch a lot more fits than the standard ones!  I'm sure it'll be overwhelming, but it'll be fun.  I'm starting to wonder what life with a 2yr, 3mo old and newborn will be.  Probably equally challenging!

JillRock96

Ava just turned 20 months, but she was 18 months when the twins arrived.  I don't think too much has changed in the last two months except that her vocabulary has expanded.

In terms of motor skills, she is running everywhere and climbing on everything.  That girl is FAST.  She is also "into" everything that she can be (drawers etc.) and has a great reach.  She can open things now (like lotion bottles, things with twist-off caps, etc.), so we have to be very careful about cleaning supplies and things that are dangerous or can make a mess.

She is incredibly independent and wants to do everything herself.  In fact, most of her outbursts or tantrums are just frustration because she can't do something herself (like zip something).  She's at the point now, though, were I can let her wander around our main level and as long as the area is babyproof and I can hear her, I know I can leave her to play or entertain herself for a few minutes. 

Food-wise, she is eating everything we eat and is feeding herself, though she makes a huge mess with the fork and spoon. 

In terms of vocabulary, she has too many words to count and is *just* starting to put a few short phrases together (like "fishies all gone" when she eats all her goldfish crackers).  It is great because she is often able to verbalize what she wants, which is a huge help.

The biggest obstacle that we face is that she doesn't really understand what "gentle" means.  She wants to be near the babies, kiss them, rock them in the bouncer, etc., but she could really hurt them.  We have to watch her every single second that she is in the same room with them so that she doesn't accidentally hurt them (like trying to shove CeCe's pacifer up her nose when she cries).

Sorry that is a book -- just trying to think of this from the perspective of a mom with an infant + toddler.  I hope that answered your question!

kamcfarlane

you know animal from the muppets?? yep, that's pretty much what my son is like. running around, waving his arms, and managing to touch every single thing in a room that he's not supposed to.

but, that being said, he's awesome. he talks and sings and has such a personality. i'm tired, but i'm tired and happy.

yankee42

the boys were 17 months, almost 18 when Audrey was born..

i will echo the responses that my guys were WILD at that time..it was right when they really learned they could do so much more physical stuff (climbing, running, etc) and they didn't have ANY fear :P 

the one good thing, it was also at a time when they were starting to be able to communicate MUCH better...so that helped with everything, made life easier. 

JGirl2005

I'll tellu in one month. DS should be 18 or 19m when baby is Born. I won't lie that it is hard right now. He knows something is up and does say baby but I think he is jealous and he jumps on my big tummy constantly o kicks me at night. As other postersaid they are just climbing on everything and they don't understand he danger

MayDayGirl

It's the best age! Brighton talks and listens, he loves babies and is loving and cuddly.  He totally understands everything we say to him and he listens really well.  I can't wait to have another baby for him to love on.. he is so good with my niece/nephew who are younger.

Oh I just read the above responses.. brighton is not like that. He runs but when I tell him to come back he does, or to stop he does.  He always wants to hold my hand when out... he's really a pretty calm child.

LisaMarisa

Hayden is 20 months and wild.  He is always on the move (and he is fast!) and getting into everything.  I recommend having a completely baby proofed area for him to play in where you know he is safe if you need to do something for the baby.  The independence is nice most of the time, as long as he is somewhere safe I dont have to hoover but it's a double edged sword, he wants independence even when he can't necessarily have it.  That said, it is such a fun age!  He plays and pretends and appreciates.  It is adorable.

keg

Some of it will depend on what Henry is like.  I have one DD that is starting to speak a bunch of works/communicate somewhat and really love books and probably would sit with me all day if I read books.  The other DD is much more active, but not as verbal.  They both are starting to have definite opinions about what they want and we're starting to have more disagreements (hair pulling, taking each other's toys, etc).  Overall though, the are cute as can be and really starting to become little people.