19 months!

I know, I know, it's been ages since I've last posted. I've been meaning to for awhile now, but Jack and I have both been sick for about a month now and we're just starting to get better.

Since I last wrote, Jack has done a lot of growing up. At his 18 month appointment, he was 22 1/2 pounds (25th percentile) and 33 inches long (68th percentile). Tall and skinny boy! Since he has been feeling better, I think he's gained about two pounds...he eats everything in sight! He is still rocking the spoon and cup, and now he is practicing using a fork. At least he hasn't poked his eye out yet.

As far as other development goes, he's walking and running and kicking and throwing a ball right on track. The doctor and I were both concerned that his speech was delayed, so he gave us a referral to a speech therapist. She asked me a bunch of questions about what sounds Jack makes and what words he recognizes, etc. She came to the conclusion that his speech abilities are only a few months delayed and it is not anything to be concerned about yet. If he hasn't caught up by the age of two, then she'll want to start seeing him regularly. She gave us some ways to emphasize speech at home, and Jack seems to be catching on really quickly.

The speech therapist also said that his speech comprehension is advanced for his age, which is great. Some examples of this that I've noticed in the past few days:

• When I'm getting Jack dressed in the morning, he helps me get his clothes. He knows where the socks and pants and shoes are. 
• He can point to various body parts (nose, eyes, ears, teeth, feet, and belly)
• When we say "Bathtime!" he walks over to the bathroom door.
• When I say "Do you want a snack?" he walks over to his high chair and tries to get in.
• When I put my shoes on, he gets his shoes and brings me my purse.
• When I say "Blues Clues," he brings me the TV remote and makes the hand signal for Blues Clues that they do on the show.
• Yesterday I asked him about baby monkeys and he found the ONLY book on his entire bookshelf (out of hundreds) that has baby monkeys in it. I was amazed by this one!

So, he's a pretty smart little guy, but definitely not wanting to talk too much. I'm trying not to anticipate his needs and to ask him more questions, hoping that he'll answer me. Hopefully it shouldn't be too long before he's talking up a storm (and then we probably won't be able to shut him up!).