ITA with the "they are really fun" sentiment. DS is 20 months, so we still have a lot of toddlerhood to go through, but I was really dreading the 18 month old stage- I've had friends kids who were so difficult at that age. My DS was, and is, totally fine. His tanties are handle-able, and he is not aggressive and challenging like my friends' kids- I think a lot of that comes down to temperament. DS was also a happy, satisfied baby like yours, so it bods well for you.

Honestly, the hardest 'stage' I have found so far is the time from a bit before 1 until about, oh, 6 weeks ago- during this time, I found DS very clingy, unable to occupy himself really at all, and also at a maximum of mobility with a minimum of reasoning. You just have to watch them ALL THE TIME and they are in to EVERYTHING. Its very intense (but also heaps of fun). I am finding as he gets older he can occupy himself a bit better (he just discovered telly- great for a 20 minute break to get dinner ready), and he can communicate better and life is just generally a bit easier in a lot of small ways (eg- I don't have to cut up a sandwich into a million pieces, he can walk from the car to the front door so I don't need to carry him etc).

I think I found this all a bit of a shock because I wasn't really prepared for it. Just know its a phase, and you will get through it, and there is a LOT to enjoy along the way. I too dreaded toddlerhood, but so far its much more fun than anything else. Toddlers really are funny little creatures who make you laugh everyday.