Josh is down to his last few days as the family baby.

He is such a joy to us every day.  The things he does and says are almost cartoonish. He loves to get attention and it's easy to see that we have a future class clown on our hands. He will do almost anything to get a laugh.  Especially from his big brothers. He is starting to have a hard time after school when they are trying to do their homework or practice piano with them not giving him their attention. He often resorts to hitting, biting, throwing things at them, stealing pencils, coats, back packs...whatever it takes to get them to notice him. He loves them so dearly and always wants to be with them either playing the Wii watching a show, sitting next to them on a big black chair while they practice piano or his very most favorite thing wrestling. He looks forward to all of our family time together. He is the quickest to fold his arms for prayers and the most excited to eat dinner each night. Family home evening is a riot with him and we love how he participates so well when we sing his favorite song "popcorn popping".

This last week we played mother may I and were surprised to see all the things Josh could do and understand. It was a very exciting game for him as he stood in line with all the boys and listened for my directions. I wish I had a picture. At the end we taught him how to play ring around the rosy for the very first time. So fun. We love this little boy with all our hearts.

At 17 months Josh:
...walks and runs easily and sometimes up on his toes.
...can say Mom, Dad, Ball, Bella, Hello, Hi, Bye, Cheese, Book, bowl, spoon and the latest and greatest word that he has learned and uses all the time now is NO
 ...can go and get a diaper and wipes when asked along with his shoes.
 ...will occasionally help clean up his toys but usually gets sidetracked
...goes up and down the stairs easily now and loves to follow anyone upstairs that he can to see what they are up too.
...loves playing outside and with a ball and trying to escape to the outside at any opportunity
 ...also loves to watch basketball games with his dad and gets really animated when they are on imitating the sounds and his dad disappointing grumbles as the players make mistakes.
...continues to love cheese and most foods. Although I have noticed with the introduction of fruit snacks, doughnut holes and ice cream he is starting to become a slightly pickier eater. We have those things very rarely so its not that big of an issue.
 ...loves to ride on his rocking horse that he got for Christmas and talk on the phone
...runs to the door yelling "Dad" along with Grant and Spencer when their dad Matt comes. He loves to tickle and wrestle with him and gives him a hug and kiss goodbye right along with his brothers.