Daniel 13 months

This has been a good month for Daniel. Hes suddenly been a LOT happier. He cries a ton less and is happy to explore the house on his own more and play with toys on his own. I can sometimes get 10 minutes at a time before he comes to find me. And generally these days, if hes crying, its for legitimate reasons like being hungry, tired or his teeth hurt. There is none of that endless, dramatic crying of a few months ago. I actually enjoy him a bit now! Its a miracle!


Perhaps hes happier because hes ever more mobile, or because he can understand us better now. Whatever the reason, I am grateful. On the mobility front, he can now climb like a monkey, and goes downstairs on his own. He slides down pretty fast on his tummy. I've been trying to teach him that for the last couple of months as I was eager to get rid of the cumbersome diaper boxes at the foot of the stairs that we were using as a makeshift baby gate. Everyone is happy to have those things gone for good! Daniel can also wave and give high fives these days. After nap I have him throw his puppy into his crib, and then I ask him for a high five, which he eagerly gives. Hes learned to go down slides and goes down backwards, on his tummy, as fast as he possibly can. He just loves it! He is also very close to walking and has even taken a few steps! Hes definitely got the strength and balance, he just needs to work up the confidence to do it full time.

On the communication front, he is starting to talk and understands quite a bit of what we say now. He can say 'mama', 'bye bye' (and says it whenever we are leaving the house), signs for 'all done' and can mimic other sounds hes heard us make, like tongue clacking or raspberries. Hes correctly used the sign for 'more' once while eating, but then has never repeated it since.

He is still generally a good eater and will eat a variety of things (though his favorites are chicken, hot dogs, mango, peas, rice and pasta). When he is done eating, he will sign, 'all done' by waving both hands in the air, and then pry the removable tray off of the fixed tray on his booster seat, and throw it to the ground with gusto. Usually I try to make it over to help him out before the tray goes flying, but I don't always make it in time. Hes not the most patient kid!

He is fascinated with opening and closing lids and containers all of a sudden. If I want to get some quiet alone time, I simply hand him a bottle and a top and hes spent hours playing with the two, trying to get the top on and off again. He also loves to place objects into the containers and then close them up inside. Then he cries when he can't get it back out again! Oh babies!

Whenever you tell him 'no,' or he gets into something he knows that he is not allowed to get into, he shakes his head 'no' as he approaches the item, or after he is told 'no.' Then he actually listens and goes to another, safer spot. Its cute to see him starting to learn the rules and reminding himself of them already!  Although, on the flip side, hes been having toddler-style tantrums when you tell him 'no' to something thats really fun (usually food or climbing related). He will throw himself to the ground dramatically and cry in an angry way. Its actually hilarious!

 
This month has been so much more pleasant. Daniel seems to be finally getting comfortable in this world, and we are all so much happier for it. Hes suddenly acting like a bigger kid (he even had his first hair cut which makes him look older!) and is starting to interact with William and Nora on a more equal level as well. He just loves when they both play together with him! Its cute to see the little games they make up to include him in. I think I'll keep him around for a while longer ;)