13 months old
I’m not sure if I’m more amazed that Sam is 13 months old or that I’m actually typing his "13 month" blog post on time 🙂
We’ve been so busy this month that I haven’t written as much down in his journal as I usually do — so all of this will be from memory (which is suspect still ;-). This month, as you all know, has been all about walking. And when Sam’s not focused on walking, he’s trying to figure out his world by gesturing his arm/hand in a dramatic fashion and declaring "Ba ba" which is everything from "what is that?" to "Can I have some?" to "Take me over there." The funny thing is if you guess correctly, he will give you an "hmph" noise in affirmation.
Some good advice we got from one of the faciliators of the moms’ group I went to was to allow toddlers access to 2/3rd of the house and close off only 1/3rd. So with that in mind, we have been Sam-proofing the kitchen and leaving the gates open to the playroom (but closing the bedroom and bathroom doors :-). He loves taking out the tupperware, ice cube trays, old bottles, and the collander and carrying them around the house.
Some old faves that saw a resurgence this month were socks and the "I’m going to get you" game. Sam rediscovered his love for socks thanks to gifts from his TX grandparents and Nana. Now he’s into opening John’s and my sock drawers and pulling out 1 for each hand (need not match, of course — as if we didn’t have enough trouble keeping track of pairs of socks :-).
The "I’m going to get you game" is back and as funny as ever. Sam has a quicker gait when his dad makes this announcement and Sam lopes to wherever he thinks is "safe" as quickly as he can before John grabs him and tickles him.
Desire to communicate has also improved greatly, as has his receptive understanding. Sam now will "come with me/John" with some reliability and answer other similar questions like "are you ready for breakfast/lunch/dinner?" and "do you want to go outside/get down from your high chair?" with his affirmative "hmmph." He also indicates what he does and doesn’t want to eat when asked . Usually it starts with a string of declarative "ba bas!" and some quick deciphering by me or John. As we guess, he’ll either be silent, which is no, or say "hmph" which is yes.
Speaking of no, as this month ended, he just started shaking his head in what appears to be, at times, a "no." But he’s still figuring it out and is far from 100%. He also shakes his head for music and for his dad’s "double take" so he’s trying to apply each in its appropriate time still 🙂
Sam’s other "big accomplishment" this month was learning to use a spoon. And his first success was with cereal, believe it or not!?!? He’s still working out the kinks (read: about 1/2 of the milk doesn’t make it to his stomach :-), but he’s on his way. As far as food goes, he still eats jar food along with finger foods which helps especially when we go out. He’s also transitioned to wanting whatever is on our plates/in our glasses — even if it’s the same thing that’s on his plate 🙂
Naps and sleep continue to be up and down. Many nights this month were punctuated by Sam’s abrupt 2 am or 4 am screaming. Most nights he’d go back to sleep after a few lullabies but there were 2 when he refused and we were up for 2-2.5 hours walking around, singing, and talking. Yawn. He’s continuing his pattern of missing his morning or afternoon nap 2 times a week but while I used to think he was going to drop his morning nap early, I now think he’s still on track to keep it for a few more months.
Oh, and how could I forget — our friend Lori mentioned in her blog that the 2nd year is a lot about the will and we’re finding that that is very true. Sam has the beginnings of a "flop" when he doesn’t want to do what you want him to do (and he’s walking). He also has rediscovered his screeching and uses it to express his objection to many situations :-).
13th month