Sixteen Months

Dear Levi,

Today you are 16 months old.  You are all boy!  You run, scream, and knock things over, but we love it!  I never have to wonder about where you are or what you're up to- I can either hear your feet or your little grunts.

You are a little parrot these days.  The other day, Mindi said you looked at her, handed her a fork, and said "for" as clear as day.  While we were talking about it, you looked at the dollhouse and said "house."  It's amazing to hear all of the things you are learning.  I know the doctor thought I was crazy when I told her you could say close to 50 words, but Mindi can vouch for me.

Some new things you are saying: door, side (outside), fork (for), Pops (instead of "ba"), Dordie (our nickname for George- Georgie), hone (phone), open, orange, car, truck, bath, night night, milk, hot, cold, and ow (I think you use this when you mean help).  In fact, the other day in Target, you were reaching for something in the basket and screaming "OW! OW! OW!"  I helped you as fast as I could so that people wouldn't think something was actually hurting you. **Since I'm so behind on posting this, you now can actually say "help."

You love to say "book" and bring them to us, but you still aren't crazy about actually reading them.  You do love your First 100 Words book.  You like to point and listen to us name things, but you if you're in a talkative mood, you like to point and name things yourself.

You love to walk backwards looking at the ceiling.  This is a dangerous new skill because you're always running in to something or falling down.  You love bath time and especially love splashing Daddy!

We tell you no a lot (since you're in to everything), and most of the time you listen, but we are definitely starting to see your toddler stubbornness come out.  We're seeing lots of foot stomping these days!

You still eat just about anything we put on your plate, although over the last few days I've noticed you slowing down a bit.  At the doctor, you were in the 50th percentile for height and weight.  You are 23 pounds and 30 inches long.  You still wear size 4 diapers, and you are moving into your 18 month clothes.  Most of your 12 month pants are too tight around your belly, but the 18 month pants and shorts are too long.

We love you little man!

Snow Day 2011

Today we are off for a "snow" day.  We have had around an inch.  I wish we had just gone to school (our make up day- our new last day of school- will be Memorial Day!)  BUT, at least I am getting to spend some fun time with my little guy.

He'd had enough...all 3 minutes we were out there.  :)  

But, he did enjoy the snow more this year than he did last year. 

Resourceful

Levi figured out how to turn his lawn mower (which, I might add is the LOUDEST TOY EVER- thanks Dad)...

into a riding mower!

He loved being pushed around while mowing the carpet!

Fifteen Months

 Dear Levi,

I know I say this all the time, but the age you are at right now is so much fun!  Here are a few things you're up to:

• You eat just about anything we give you, but you especially love fruit (with the exception of peaches).  You could eat an entire container of berries in one sitting if we'd let you. 
• You've been obsessed lately with using a fork or spoon on your own, and you scream until we put your plate onto your tray.  This is difficult for both Dad and I because your food is more easily thrown on the ground when you have a whole plate of it, but we know that you can't eat off the table forever!  
• You have started pretending.  Gigi sent you this little wooden spoon and you love to stir and offer Dad and I a bite of whatever it is that you're making.

• You are learning new words every day.  You leave the last sound of most words off, but we know what you're saying.  Your new favorite word is "hot".  You walk past the oven, your humidifier, Dad's coffee, and the dishwasher and point and say "ha"
• You like to walk around tickling your belly and saying "tickle, tickle"
• You have started running the opposite direction when we say it's time to go.  You run and laugh.  Mindi said the other day, you ran and then fell back on your back laughing and kicking your feet in the air.

• You know exactly where to go when we say it's time to go "night night" or when it's time to change your diaper. 
• Gran gave you a puppy beanie baby at Christmas and you L-O-V-E it.  When we lay you down at night, you reach for the "do" and whenever you pick it up, you squeeze it tight and say "aww".  
• You are wearing size 4 diapers and 12 month clothes, but those 12 month pants won't fit around your cute little buddha belly for long!  
• You still take 2 naps a day, but I think you're getting close to dropping that morning nap.  We'll see.  You sleep from about 8 at night until about 7 in the morning.  
• You and Brooklyn have a love-hate relationship with each other.  Sometimes, you kiss and hug (although the way you hug slightly resembles tackling) and then other times, you hit and say "no, no" to each other.  
• You can find (on Mom and Dad) and say nose, eye, and sometimes mouth.  You also figured out where your nose is- and you love to put your finger up it.  The other day, you were sticking your finger so far up your nose that your eyes started watering!  YUCK!  

• You are active.  You run everywhere you go, and as a result of all that running, you fall a lot.  It doesn't seem to bother you much though.  
• Sometimes when there's music on or someone is singing, you "sing" along.  It is precious.  You're favorite song is "Hot Dog" (from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse).  When it comes on and we're in the car, you kick your feet and say "Dot Dog".  :)

I love the little personality that comes out through everything you do!  I love (and hate all at the same time) how much you are growing, learning, and changing each day.  Sometimes I miss the little baby that  cuddled and never wanted to be put down, but then you run around the corner giggling and I realize how much I love this stage (and my full night's sleep!).  :)   

Night Night

Tonight, when I laid Levi down in his bed, he grunted from behind his pacifier and pointed to his stuffed caterpillar from his birthday.  I handed it to him, and said "Night, night Levi.  I love you."

He looked at me and smiled and said "Night, Night"

So sweet.

Reading

Levi has really become more interested in reading over the last month or so.  Now, he still won't sit and listen to the story most of the time, but he will bring me books, say book, and usually sit long enough to look at a page or two.  Here is what I found the other day when I went to get Levi up from his nap:

Let's Give them Something to Talk About

While I've been home on my break, Levi's vocabulary has exploded!  In fact, if you ask Gigi (my grandmother), he said "I love you" to her.  I'm still not convinced of that one though.  :)

I love listening to his deep voice, and I love that he is communicating with us using things beyond grunts, points, screams, and cries.  I also love seeing how much he understands of what we're saying.  I know that not everyone wants to know the words he's saying right now, but I'd like to remember what he was able to say.

milk, up, down, go, yes, no, dog (do), George (jo), yeah, that, there, bye bye, hi, Pops (ba), all gone, diaper (dider), light, mama, dada, baby, whoa, ow, uh oh, nose, eye

He's also started using a modified sign for "more."  He's been watching Brooklyn.

Now there are other things Levi will repeat back to you (blue, yellow, rabbit, yogurt...), but the words I listed are the ones he is using appropriately (most of the time!).  I'm so glad I've been home with him for the last few weeks and have been able to see him learning all of these new things.