13 Months!

So once you turned a year, I thought I'd do every 3 or 6 month posts on all our happenings, but there's just too much change and development. By the time we were at 15 months, I'd have a novel to write, so for now, we're keeping it monthly. And because you're understanding every freaking thing I'm saying lately, I'm just going to talk to you like I do all day anyway. 

This month has been a complete explosion of mobility, words and understanding, and while we were cautioned time and time again with "just wait until he starts walking...", your dad and I couldn't be more grateful for your burst of movement. And your words? Oh my. They make life so much easier. In so many ways, life was probably technically easier when you were just a smushy baby. You slept, ate, repeat; you sat on a blanket outside for hours looking at the trees or birds or playing with the same five toys; you were entertained by simply just being around the action, but now you want to be part of the action at all times. And I think your dad and I were made to be toddler and beyond parents. We love your curiosity, activity, and independent nature.

Walking started conveniently while your GiGi was in town for the week with us. I was working in the mornings, and you were practicing, practicing, practicing with your GiGi. I'd come home in the afternoons, and you'd almost always have a new trick - more stability, more courage and more steps. We went to playgroup at the park mid-week, and I could have fallen right over. You just took off walking all around the equipment and the park like all the other big kids. It was a magical afternoon to watch you in action. You were, of course, so proud of your new skill. And I think since that day, I've classified you as a walker. It's been A-MAZING to watch you master your new skill from day to day and week to week. You get stronger and smarter and more agile seemingly every minute. Watching you learn to stand up without pulling up on anything was perhaps my favorite. You just figured it out. Falling down is way less frustrating when you can pop right back up. You're so smart, sweet boy.

Communication has been on the rise for a couple months, but I swear you have a new word almost every day lately. Your words aren't completely consistent yet, and I know most people wouldn't know what you were saying, but hey, your dad and I understand, and for now, that's all that matters to you. Everyone can understand your uh-oh, bye-bye, more! (it's always exclaimed), up, wow, hot, hiiiiiiiii (it's always really drawn out, high-pitched and most often directed at animals), but you're working on dog, cat, yuck, all done, help, drop (Stan loves, not really, that you're commanding him to do things), eat, thank you and in the last day or so you've started trying to say e-i-e-i-o. It's mostly e-i-e-i, but I know what you're getting at and we sing the song every time - a great motivator. And your understanding is kind of mind-blowing. I can ask you to sit down, go feet first, come here, let me put on your shoes, get a diaper, etc. etc. and you totally understand. We pretty much just talk to each other all day long. You like it best when I'm explaining EVERYTHING to you, and while I'm sure I look a bit crazy at the store or park or wherever we are, I know you're absorbing and processing it all. And I love it. Words. Communication. Understanding. Unbelievable.

The fountain prompted wild up-up-ups and help! 

This month you blow on things when we say they're hot whether it's food, drinks, or the grill, love to just sit in chairs, and are obsessed with the water - the pool, the fountains, splash-pads, the rain. You don't discriminate. We were invited to a pool party at the end of the month, and you were in absolute heaven. No fear when it comes to the water. You just waded right in, and while I could tell it was making the other moms nervous that I would let you fall and your head go underwater, it seemed like a step backwards to tell you no or make you afraid. I'd rather just pull you out of the water smiling than make you scared of trying new things. You woo-woo when you hear a dog barking, are so excited to eat in the mornings that your whole body wiggles as we step out of your room, and you love to laugh. It's a fully-belly chuckle, and it makes my whole heart smile. You understand that your pacifier is only for bedtime and reluctantly hand it over when your nap is finished. And the outdoors is still your very favorite place to be. Although I think we're going to have to live at the pool for the next couple of months because it's getting dangerously warm in the afternoons at the park without large quantities of water. You love hills and are getting to be an awesome climber. Your dad has high hopes for your trail-running future, so I hope your interest isn't fleeting. You're amazed by the trash truck, and we've taken to sitting in the driveway on Friday mornings wishing and hoping and praying they swing by before naptime, for several reasons, but the trash truck always, and I mean always, gets several WOWS. And wows are just my favorite right now.

Trash truck wows.

And lastly, sleeping. Dear Charlie you have been like a little dream this month. At the beginning of the month you were going down so easily for naps and at night that I considered having at least 15 more children. But as usual, just when I'm feeling like the MOTY (mom of the year, duh), you remind me that you're really in charge. We had a slight dip in ease of falling asleep mid-to late month, but you seem to be back to your routine in the last week. Naps and nighttime look like this - pacifier (always), we sit with you in the chair as you roll around, sit up, and climb, we sing songs or read books and then inevitably you point towards your crib, and we ask if you're ready to lay down to which you always shake your head yes. We kiss you goodnight, lay you down and walk out. You babble, laugh and happily shriek for anywhere from 5-30 minutes and then you're out. I miss you falling asleep in my lap or laying down for naps with me sometimes, but I know we've reached the goal. And I'm grateful you're doing it.

This month was filled with playing, playing, playing with friends and exploring everything and everywhere. We've been to pools, splash-pads, the Natural Gardener, the Children's Museum, the library, the zoo, parks, on hikes, and so much more. And in June we'll go on your second airplane ride, spend the week at the lake and laugh until are faces might fall right off with your dad's sweet extended family. What a lucky little life we're living. Keep up the good work, sweetest little friend. As always, somehow things just keep getting better. Lots of love.