Parker: 18 Month Old Update

Parker is approaching his one and a half milestone so I thought I’d give a little update on what he’s up to, what products and toys we are loving, and his latest developments!

Let me start by saying that every baby/toddler is different and that includes my three children. Jackson hit every milestone he was “supposed” to based on the pediatricians standard recommendations, Cammy was always a couple months behind, and Parker is following suit. After I had Cam and he wasn’t walking by 16 months, I got concerned and the pediatrician recommended physical therapy. I can’t actually say if it worked or not.. he was really stubborn and just wasn’t interested in using his legs. He wanted to crawl but was also really frustrated and cried a lot. He finally stood up one day at 19 months old and just started walking and talking. It’s like the lightbulb went on and he was off and running.. literally. Was it the physical therapy or did he get there in his own time because he gained confidence? I’m not certain.

Fast forward to Parker who is now 18 months old and is showing no interest in walking. He babbles and says words here and there but nowhere near where Jackson was at this stage. His is tracking just like Cam and this time around, I have ZERO worry. Not one ounce of concern but that’s because Cam eventually got there. And Parker will too. He is a SPEEDSTER on his hands and knees and I think he just thinks he can get to what he wants faster that way. I encourage him with step stools, walking with my hands and supporting him as much as I can but at the end of the day, I am caring for three small kids who each require a ton of attention. Jackson likely hit his milestones and walked earlier because he was getting so much 1:1 attention. Cam and Parker don’t have that luxury and while I felt guilty about it when Cam was going through it, I don’t have those feelings now. Parker has to share my attention with his brothers and it has likely affected his development but at the end of the day, he is healthy and happy. What else could you wish for?

Did I say he was happy? Well, most of the time. He’s absolutely turned on the personality and let’s just say the kid is a Scorpio through and through. The word “determined” is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Parker. Kid knows what he WANTS and if he doesn’t get it (that tiny bouncy ball he’ll choke on, that tiny lego he’ll choke on, that tiny grape he’ll choke on) he is PISSSSSSSED. There aren’t enough s’s in “pissed” to express how mad lol. Stage 5 meltdown. Hurl his body on the floor then smack his head so he cries harder mad. It’s exhausting for everyone but I can tell Parker is becoming a frustrated little monster like his bro’s before him and sometimes I wish I could fast forward this stage. It’s a special time #passthewine. But I know after he emerges from this terrible almost 2 stage and starts talking and walking, he’ll be a happier guy. So trying to take each meltdown with a grain of salt and just let him be mad. He has about 2 or 3 meltdowns a day and they each last about 5 minutes of uncontrollable fake crocodile tears and flailing arms and rolling around the floor. Then he’s back to playing with his bros and forgets what he was so upset about. It’s a good thing he is darling and says, “HIIIIII” when someone walks in the room and we all forget about his exorcism 3 minutes earlier 😉

Parker is a pretty social guy, which is no surprise since he’s got his big brothers and all their friends who want to play with him constantly. His favorite activity is standing at the LEGO table smashing their masterpieces and throwing the tiniest pieces all over the floor so that someone inevitably steps on one and shrieks in pain to which he laughs. He’s got this laugh that comes from deep down in his belly. What it’s called? A guttural laugh? That’s what he does. Stinker. And finally: CARS. Would you expect anything less from a Wooldridge bro? He “vrooms” them around the living room table and steals every “favorite” from Jack and Cam when they aren’t looking.. so he’s pretty smart too 😉

While this stage has always been a tougher one for me because it requires the patience of a saint, I can’t complain.. Parker is a special dude and oh, so cute. But I also want to remember how exhausting and trying it can be too because being a mom at any stage is hard. After I shared on Instagram that Parker wasn’t walking yet, I got so many messages about your little ones and the milestones they are or are not meeting and I hope this post comforts someone (maybe a first time mom) who’s baby isn’t meeting the milestones based on the doctors advice. Just know, everyone is unique and special and none of us went to college with a pacifier in our mouth, a bottle in our mouth, wetting the bed (except maybe some drunk frat guy lol), or crawling (except maybe out of a bar). I hope this brings you comfort knowing you’re doing all the right things for you and your kids.

Here’s what we’re loving these days for play:

When did your little one start walking and talking? Any advice to help him gain some confidence in this area? I am all ears to the wealth of knowledge in this amazing community.

xx, H