We're a couple days behind on Daniel's 17-month update, but better late than never. This month we noticed more developmental skills including:
pretend play (he likes to "feed" his toy dog from a bowl of water/food)
sorts objects by color into a circular shape sorter
throws a ball overhand
takes toys apart and puts them back together
successfully climbs on to the couch (we're in for it now!).
He also seems to have taken an interest in potty training. I'm not sure we're even close yet, as he still doesn't verbalize his wants or needs other than by pointing and saying "uh" (to basically anything and everything). He nods and shakes his head to indicate yes and no, so at least that's some communication. I'm assured that I didn't talk at an early age, and I turned out ok... well, maybe that's debatable. :)
Here are a few pictures:
Playing in the water area at Paradise Park with Grandpa (Grandma, Daddy, and Mommy too!)
He's getting so tall
Vroom, vroom!
Santa made a stop at Paradise Park. Daniel is not quite sure about this Santa guy...
Hoping to come away with some good photos we could use for our Christmas card, we snapped a few photos of Daniel with the Christmas tree the other night. We were also lucky enough to have my sister (aka Aunt Carrie) come for a few days, so she was able to snap a few family photos. Here's a sneak peek of what's to come!
1, 2, 3 - up!
Thanks for visiting and help with photos, Aunt Carrie!
For Thanksgiving this year, Grandmommy, Don-don, Aunt Danielle, and Uncle Leo, Misty, and Buster all came to visit. It was so great host a holiday and celebrate in our new home. We even got to watch fireworks the night before - 'Christmas in the Sky' - Daniel's first fireworks experience (that he was awake for). Mostly, he wasn't too impressed and chose instead to rest his head on my shoulder. Staying up late is hard work!
Daniel did his best to keep everyone entertained - showing everyone all of his toys (i.e. discarded kitchen utensils), pushing the chairs around the house, carrying the garbage cans to different places, etc. We had such a great time - thanks everyone for coming to see us! We miss you and can't wait for next time!
Playing with Grandmommy and Aunt Danielle
Making Thanksgiving meatballs
Daniel and Buster are best buddies!
Playing on the Kindle Fire with Grandmommy and Buster
This weekend, Papa and Ann came for a visit. Daniel enjoyed lots of play time including a walk/stroller ride through the neighborhood and a stop at the playground. There was also a lot of cuddling and cuteness as you'll see from the pictures. Come back again soon, Papa and Ann!
Daniel and I went to Dave's Gymnastics Factory for a little running around and fun. During the school year, they offer Mommy & Me open gym play time. Daniel mainly liked running around on the spring floor, handing me blocks from the foam pit, and climbing and crawling around on the various mats. He wasn't so fond of the trampolines. Initially he liked it, but I think it made him nervous (which worked in my favor because the trampoline induced some motion sickness for me).
There were several other moms and kids there, so I was able to socialize (when I wasn't chasing him) and Daniel enjoyed running around with other kids at the gym.
At the end, Daniel was covered in white chalk. I think it's safe to say he had a fun time!
Daniel turned 16-months-old today! Each month I post this, I think about how active he is... he continues on that trend! He is our busy boy, and he keeps us on our toes.
Here are some developments Daniel enjoys and has mastered:
The joys of climbing... on everything
Runs... everywhere
Stacks blocks
Eagerly takes his clothes to the dirty clothes basket in his room when asked
Eagerly takes his diapers to the garbage when asked
Enjoys coloring/scribbling with crayons (generally at restaurants)
Loves cleaning - laundry and vacuuming, especially
Carrying large items or heavy loads
He recently began waving good-bye to...well, everything. A few examples: he waves to his toys when he leaves the room, the dogs when we leave them at home, daddy when he leaves for work, his dirty diapers when he throws them away, and the water as it drains from the tub.
He also continues to nod yes and has started shaking his head for 'no'. He doesn't always fully understand the questions, but will often answer anyway. The other day I said (when he was demanding something), "Can you say please?" He happily nodded his head yes!
Speaking of his demands, we recently have started asking him for nice things (a kiss, high-five, etc) in exchange for something he wants. We're surprised at how quickly he switched from whining to trying to initiate a kiss for something he wants (see video below). Much better!
We switched over to Daylight Saving Time last week, and after two days of getting up an hour early, he switched back to sleeping 11 hours at night (7:30 pm- 6:30 am). He takes one nap a day, generally around 12:15. He generally sleeps at least 90 minutes, but it's not uncommon to have a once or twice a week 2 1/2 hour nap. We love that he sleeps so well and is on a predictable sleep cycle!
He continues to love to give hugs and kisses. We absolutely adore it when he cuddles us at night in his room before bedtime. It makes saying goodnight a little harder for us because we don't want to leave. He goes down for bed so well! He often waves goodbye to us as we walk out the door. It's adorable! That's Daniel - our adorable little guy!
Our little climber
Waiting for Daddy to come home
He even gives kisses to the animals in his books
Putting his clothes in the dirty-clothes before bed
