From the mouths of babes: 22 months

Kids just get more and more hilarious every day, and my ham of a kiddo is certainly no exception. We're just about six weeks shy of age 2 and definitely have a ridiculously entertaining motormouth on our hands. According to stories from my parents, he comes by this honestly. (Ahem.) A few of my favorite 22-month CJ quirks are:

• He loves to swim. You can't get him out of the pool, especially if he can watch the big kids do "wa-wa jumps" (the diving board).
• When reading books with him, you’d have to know the back story to understand most of his comments. His favorite books right now are picture books for learning vocabulary, colors, etc. On the “silver” page of his “Colors” book, it is important to note that we do NOT have a robot downstairs (Downstairs. No.). And by the same token, the double fuel tanker in his “Things That Go” book does NOT have a rock on it.
• After taking a bath, it’s time for “knee,” because CJ puts on his own lotion and his favorite spot to rub in the lotion is on his knee.
• When playing on the backyard playset, it is important to exclaim “birdie poo poo,” because there was once a blob of bird crap on his slide, which is the most hilarious thing that has ever happened.
• He’s big on putting things “back” (BAH-ackkkkk!) After we mulched almost the entire yard, CJ asked us to please put the mulch “back” (in the driveway where it was once piled high).
• I am starting to suspect that CJ’s favorite food is rice (RY! Mmmmm!) merely because he creates such a mess with it on the floor that we have to use the vacuum (Mess! Voom-voom, Mama?) after he eats it.
• Sesame Street is on TV at 9 o’clock in the morning. CJ is well aware of this and likes to announce, usually very loudly, “NINE ELMO!” Needless to say, his favorite number is currently 9.
• Speaking of Elmo, what is it about that little furry red guy? This morning I was running through the list of friends he might see at school. Are you excited to see Colton? No. Lexi? No. Harper? No. Well, whom DO you want to see? Elmo. Touche.