Another update on Will, since he's just hit the 18 month mark. He visited the doctor last week and was deemed "okay" for his age, but the doctor was a little concerned about his height progress. Apparently, not continuing along the normal growth curve several visits in a row is some cause for concern... Looks like Will has landed at the very bottom (3%) of the height curve for his age, but is still at the 20-25th percentile for weight (so he's not malnourished...duh). I'm not too worried, since accurate height measurements right now are virtually impossible (the kid squirms and screams like he's on death row when he's at the doctor). And, worse case scenario, he could always aspire to being a famous jockey!
Onto words. It seems like Will comes out with something new every day. Here are some of the most recent: baby, apple, pear, banana (said "anana"), teeth (said "teefs"), big ball (I think, or maybe basketball?). If he's really coerced, he may say "milk" or "more." We're trying to get him to start asking for things he wants with words, but most of the time he resorts to the tried and true -- screaming for it.
The funniest thing is how he now tells us he's ready to go to bed during his nighttime routine. We'll be reading a story, waiting for the "sign" (rubbing eyes, yawning), and then Will gets up, walks over to his crib, and starts telling us "bye bye!" Guess that's a hint... So, we're on our way to communicating.