January 16, 2013

This Boy


This boy is truly a boy now, no more baby. He is talking up a storm, although often I am the only one who can understand his jabbering. His favorite subjects are animals and bugs and he still assigns everything a role by size; big dada, mama, or baby. It's not just a turtle, it's a 'big dada tootle', a 'mama beetle', a 'baby camool'. It's heart melting sweetness.

With more words also has come more frustration, whining, and tantrums. When I don't understand him or just refuse his demands he channels a campy horror film and lets out a crazy raspy 'nooo' before erupting into tears. I'm waiting for the day when his head spins around and hoping he learns to use his words and express himself more calmly.


'No' still tops his list of favorite words, and if you ask him any question you will be met with a little 'no'. Unfortunately it's tough not to smile and giggle because it's so darn cute... which means this could last longer than I'd like.

Frustrations and fits aside, he is generally such a patient and curious little guy. He can sit with a small collection of toys, rocks, or pine cones, studying them and finding new ways to entertain himself. He is far more focused and calm than the average toddler and I feel very lucky when I realize that we've just spent a half hour silently enjoying our own tasks.

He loves to help out in the kitchen, has a great respect for anything I label as 'hot' or 'sharp', and shares my enthusiasm for watching baked goods rise through that little oven window. It's better than TV.


He eats all kinds of foods, although he is still struggling with utensils and tackles even the messiest dishes with his hands. Fruit is his absolute favorite and if he even hears the word he'll reject whatever is in front of him and hold out for the good stuff. He is also a fan of tofu (toe-doo), broccoli (bocoli tees), and raisins which he calls 'nut' since his first exposure was with some nutty trail mix. 

After two years of a banana every morning he has decided he is completely done with them. Don't even let him see one. Maybe he figured out that they're not local and is voicing his opposition, but strawberries in January are awesome, thank you.


Although still cautious, he has been getting a bit bolder and suffering more bumps and bruises. Every injury, no matter how small, demands a kiss from mama. He will come running towards me with his hand on his tooshy or pointing to his toe, waiting for the magic kiss to make it all better. It's so cute and I know it won't last forever, so I'm really soaking it in.

He loves his stuffed animals and seems to find another one to add to his crib each day. Every morning when I go to lift him out, he scrambles around, hoarding all of the animals in a big ball between his arms so that they get freed from crib prison as well. His favorites are still the monkeys.


It's pure delight to see him able to communicate more each day, to share his own thoughts and ideas and to get to know the little person he is becoming. When I first held him as a tiny baby, I couldn't imagine ever loving anyone more, but the mystery of parenthood has already taught me that the love just grows and grows. I am so proud to call this little boy my own.

17 comments:

  1. Beautiful post and lovely photos of your boy. :) agree with you on parenthood- our love for our children really grows as time pass by. :)

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  2. Love this post and the adorable pics, he´s a true sweetie! :-)

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  3. So sweet! What a great description of this point in his {& your) life-- brings back all sorts of memories of when my Things were little-- beyond cute!

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  4. Oh, how I love reading about his personality! He seems like such a sweet boy. Growing so fast!

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  5. He's the cutest little button I've ever seen. I remember it like it was yesterday when mine was this age. Love his Fuzzi Bunz and socks!

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  6. Playing quietly for 30 minutes?! Oh, I can only dream Alice will ever be able to do the same.

    Love that he has developed new opposition to banana! So funny... maybe he IS really a locavore! ; -)

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  7. " but the mystery of parenthood has already taught me that the love just grows and grows." The whole truth! :) xo

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  8. He is absolutely precious! Unfortunately, the "no" word doesn't seem to go away in my experience. ;)

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  9. Oh, I love this! What adorable pictures and how great to hear about all the little funny things that he is doing! What a cutie!

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  10. What a cool little dude. I love hearing about him.

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  11. Have you tried sign language? It really helps decrease the frequency of tantrums, and it's not too late to start. I used Baby Signing Time. It was fabulous and owen will still use a few signs at 2.5 yo. It didn't stop my son from talking either. A common fear of using sign language with young ones.

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    1. Yes actually we did sign quite a bit and it has been great! He still signs some words, but more and more is preferring to try to use words. I'm also a big fan of signing though.

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  12. He's darling, and sounds so sweet. And what a sweet post.

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  13. Love it! He's ADORABLE. He reminds me so much of my little guy. The early toddler age is just the best.

    Samm
    www.ciunibaby.blogspot.com

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  14. Oh, I love the Dada, Mama, Baby labels! My boys still use them.

    xo
    cortnie

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