Holy crap, I missed it again! Happy 14 months my man!
That picture is from your Aunt Kari, but I just uploaded a boatload of pictures to flickr to celebrate your 14-month birthday. This month has been the most fun yet -- someone told me when you were a few weeks old that it just gets better and better, and I can't say I disagree. Watching you go from a little wormy thing to a little squirmy thing to a real-live actual boy is awesomeness.
This month I have really seen the toddler in you come out, in both good ways and in bad. For example, you have started using crying as a tactic to get what you want. I am not so fond of that, but guess what? I'm on to you, kid.
On the flipside, boy howdy are you starting to figure things out. Examples from the last week:
1) When we eat dinner at grandma and grandpa's, you go on a walk with grandpa after dinner with the dog. Yesterday, you walked to the door and pointed at it to try to get outside. When that didn't work, you took the leash and walked it over to the dog. Still no answer? You gave it grandpa, so that HE could put it on the dog. And you know something? You guys were out the door in a few minutes.
2) Today we were putting away the groceries and you ripped up some paper bags. Just like a little grown up, you collected your scraps and walked them over to the garbage and threw them away.
3) A few days ago, we were in the bedroom playing, when I asked you if you wanted to read a book. You worked your way off the bed, clomped out of the room, went into the living room, grabbed a book, and then stood in front of the chair where we do our nighttime reading together. You looked at me and said, "Up?" So I knew you had figured it out. After we finished reading, I asked if you if you wanted to brush your teeth. You beelined towards the bathroom and stood in front of the sink, mimicking a brushing motion.
You are still obsessed with your toothbrush, by the way.
You are starting to talk more, and that is hilarious. Often times, it's gobblety-gook, like when you stand in front of the dryer and watch it spin. That is a recipe for fun, in Teo-land. But you are also starting to say some legitimate words: car, cracker, bubble, water, more, woof-woof (ok, not a word, but you are fascinated by dogs). Your teacher at school told me that you said "circle" and "wassup." Grandpa says you learned the word "leaf" while on a walk with him.
Mainly, I see that you are absorbing the world and some of it is going through the wheels turning in your little head. You have turned out to be a little stranger-wary, and you seem to want to think things through before jumping in, at least for right now. You have had a few scary moments in the last few weeks, and maybe being cautious is just a part of pushing the boundaries of toddlerhood in sometimes unexpected ways - like when you accidentally ran your toys into some pictures against the wall and they fell on your head. In those moments, you come running back to me and hug me tight, and I love being able to be your comfort.
Speaking of hugging, you have started a new game with me. You begin in the living room and run to the other side of the kitchen, where I am squatting and waiting with open arms. Then you run into me and give me a big hug, usually with squeezing involved on both of our ends. Then you giggle with glee, wiggle out of my arms, and run around the kitchen again, only to be delighted yet again when you see me on the other side, still waiting with open arms. You run to me again, crashing into my embrace, snuggling into my neck. And then the giggles and another circuit around the house, and another hug.
It's pretty marvelous, Bubster Magoo. Let's play that game forever, ok?
can I play that game too? :) Not with you I mean but with him, not that I would be against a hug from you now and again for a little moment of cheese...but I think a big gab fest would be even better, although it sounds like teo would want in on that too!
he sounds darling and healthy and curious and fun-loving. congrats! good work!