21 Months

Age: 21 Months

Favorite Activity: You love the playground! We found a playground during one of our walks and it has quickly become one of our favorite spots. You are a pro at going up the steps to the slide. Then you sit down (waaaaay back) and scoot up to the top of the slide. The grin on your face as you slide down is nothing short of precious.

Honorable Mentions:  You were awesome at the super fun hotel we went to. I was shocked when you decided you wanted to walk in the pool on your own. Then you saw a ball and took off after it. Luckily, Daddy picked you up when the water got to your chin and took you over to the ball. Once you had the ball, you demanded Daddy lift you up so you could put it through the basketball hoop. Daddy and I were shocked. I didn't teach you that. Daddy didn't teach you that. Have you been secretly watching SportsCenter?

Least Favorite Activity: Your teeth are making you crazy. You bit me twice this month. TWICE! And your Mama bruises like a peach, dude. I can't wait until your two year molars come in. You are miserable, buddy.

Milestones: Did I mention you drink exclusively from a cup with a straw last month? You chew on regular straw, but your hard straw cup is a hit. We're currently working on drinking from a regular cup. It's...messy.

New Activity: In the hotel elevator (you are still unsure of elevators), you suddenly exclaimed, "Two!"  "Three!" as the floor numbers showed up in the wall.

Communication: Your speech is becoming clearer and you are definitely communicating with us. One morning, I was daydreaming while you were eating breakfast when you said, "Here you go, Ma!" and handed me your fruit pouch. You ran around the other night saying, "A ball! I've got a ball!"

You also grab tissues/paper towels/papers and pretend to sneeze. "Ah...ah...CHOO!" It is the most adorable thing ever.

Sleep: You all but refuse to take a nap anywhere but your crib. This makes planning day trips a challenge. We've had a few 30 minute power naps and a few no nap days which you handle too well. I dread the day you drop all your naps, buddy. Mama needs rest time, too!

Best Moment: Watching your face light up when you try new things melts my heart. I love watching you experience things for the first time.......I'm already counting the days until your first Disney trip!!

Worst Moment: You are incredibly accident prone right now. You crawl under tables, forget you are there, and stand up where you bonk your head. You bite/chew on one of your trucks and cut your lip. You bit your tongue. I hate seeing you in pain. I'll be happy when this accident prone phase passes...it is going to pass, right!?

Eating: We took you to an Amish restaurant one day and I gave you some traditional egg noodles. Oh my gravy, I thought you were going to inhale them. Normally, you don't really like pasta, but holy moly you liked those! I try to give you one new/different food at every meal to get you to try new things. Generally, you hand the new thing back to me with a horrified look.

I'm fighting every urge to force you to eat different foods. Things I KNOW you like. I keep reminding myself that you know your body. You know when you're hungry. You know when you're done. If you don't like something, that is your choice, but I am still going to keep presenting these foods to you in hopes someday you'll try it.

I'm pretty sure you also hate peanut butter. As soon as you smell peanut butter it is coming back to me. You will not eat it. I'm fighting every urge not to disown you. WHO DOESN'T LIKE PEANUT BUTTER!?

Favorite Foods: Amish egg noodles, pork, whole apples, bananas, Cheerios, yogurt, cheese...you love food...just not the same foods consistently.

Teeth: C'mon 2 year molars!

Oh, and this! You are a zoo fan! You enjoy looking at, not only the animals, but also the people. I hope we continue to have these fun family outings. I know you may not remember these adventures in the future, but we will and we will take pride in retelling these stories to you for years to come.