19 Months

Our 19 month old is as active as ever- we even had to leave our friends, Jenny and Chris', house early (that was a first). Not because being naughty (at least not the whole time), but because he is on the go and does not want to stay in one room. This developmental stage makes it very difficult to watch American Idol with friends!

Our active little guy has also begun to communicate more- showing us love, being angry or just being funny. He gives everyone hugs and kisses, even book characters and toys. He lets us know when he's upset by saying "No!”, throwing things, laying down or even swinging his arms. We have just started an official time out spot. He amazingly sits there for one minute and then gives us a hug after the minute is over. I just discovered this month that if I ask him 'Do you need a hug?" when he's upset, he'll say yea, give me a hug and calm down. I am very grateful every time it works! He has also turned into a little comedian- he puts scarves or blankets over his head to make us laugh. One day at Donna's, she said he put his hand in his shirt and then pulled out a pacifier that he must have taken from home that morning and started laughing-little stinker.

He has just formed an attachment to lovies at bedtime. I forgot to tell Joe that he now sleeps with a lamb, dog and Pooh bear at night. So one night, Joe was putting him to bed. He gave him the dog lovie then laid him in his crib. Ryan had his head down, butt up and arm in the air. Joe couldn't figure out why he had his arm in the air. Then he gave him the lamb lovie. Ryan put his other arm in the air. Then Joe gave him his Pooh bear lovie. Ryan now has to have all three lovies before he goes to bed! What a funny guy!

Here are some more of this past month’s memorable events:

• Started paying attention to TV- Loves Elmo and Mickey Mouse
• Zips and unzips Pj's, coat, our jackets...
• Pushes bottom oven drawer in with his leg- just like we do
• Climbing up
• Insists on having books in the car
• Pulls up pants
• Can do puzzles independently now: 3D Shape puzzle, pop up doors and wood puzzles
• Loves building with Lego blocks
• Just started biting his crib:( We went 18 months with no problems teething
• Loves wearing his slippers "boots" from Pete and Andie
• Sharing with babies-church and daycare
• Working on being a good friend-not taking toys away or pushing and not hiding all Maddy's toys
• Gymboree class- loved climbing, sliding and rolling- he especially parachute time
• When asked to get the red bucket to put away cars, he went to his room and brought the bucket out to the living room
• Tough guy- got a big bruise around his left eye after falling on a toy truck. He didn't cry, but Donna did:)