18 month milestones

Mastered Skills (most kids can do)
Will "read" board books on his own

James will sit and look at books on his own.  One of his favorites right now is his book about Farms.  There are all kinds of animals and tractors, etc. in it and he will look at it for awhile.  He will also bring you the book and ask, "dat?" meaning what's that?  We will go through the book over and over, telling him what the pictures are that he is asking about.  On Thanksgiving I thought my son was a genius, he asked me repeatedly what the turkey was.  It was like he knew what day it was!  (Yes, I know he didn't know what day it was, but I like to think my child is a genius, perhaps he is!)

Scribbles well

Oh yes, when James isn't busy eating crayons, he loves to scribble.  

Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)

Strings two words together in phrases

James is starting to do this more and more.  He will say things like "My Mac" and on Sunday he told Mac "My Da" and pushed the dog away from Adam.  We got a real kick out of that one.  

Brushes teeth with help

James likes to play with his toothbrush, so he doesn't brush them on his own yet.  He is very cooperative with teeth brushing and doesn't put up a fight, which is nice.  

Stacks four blocks

James doesn't like to stack things, he likes to knock them over.  

Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)

Throws a ball overhand

Yes, he plays fetch with Mac a lot.

Takes toys apart and puts them back together

James does this to some extent, for instance, he will take bugs out of his bug box and put them back in.  He also has a toy that pops open when you push a button, so he will put it back together after it pops.  

Shows signs of toilet training readiness

James is showing some of the signs of toilet training wellness, but not enough of them for me to think we're at all ready to potty train.  I put stars by the ones that James currently meets, so it looks like he is meeting the physical signs, but behavioral and cognitive are lacking.  I'm thinking sometime in the spring or early summer we will actually start working on potty training or at least determining if its worth the effort yet.  In the spring or summer he can run around the house naked, which I think will help things a bit.  I've heard some interesting/good things about the 3 day potty training technique, so I think we will probably start to do some research on that soon.  Also, Rhonda is going to be key in James' potty training, so we will be seeking her advice as well.  Kippy, who is 2 and a half as of yesterday is fully potty trained, so I do have hope for James.  

Physical signs
*Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.
*Urinates a fair amount at one time.
*Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
*Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.
Behavioral signs
Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes. - HA!
Can pull his pants up and down.
*Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
*Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).
Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
Demonstrates a desire for independence.
*Takes pride in his accomplishments.
Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.
Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.
Cognitive signs
*Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
Has words for urine and stool.
Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.