Giggles + The Grump: Manimal!

Guess who's back???

So shortly after our last blog post, LT decided walking before he could crawl was the way to go. We had an active week right around his 8 month birthday. First steps, clapping, a half-hearted attempt at crawling and then full-on walking all started around 10 days of each other...it was amazing how quickly everything happened.

I clearly remember being at a friend's house watching LT stand and hold on to a table. He looked like he was going to take a step or two, but I wasn't worried about him running in to anything because I figured he'd fall or sit down before he reached the wall. Being as determined as he is, he proved me wrong and took 5 or 6 steps and then promptly crashed head first into the wall. And so it began... he hasn't stopped since. At almost 11 months, he is running everywhere he goes. Unfortunately for him (and us), unlike LC, he is not cautious at all. He has already suffered several bumps and scrapes on his head and nose from tumbles, but he just keeps going. Thankfully, we are past the initial learning to walk phase, as it was very stressful having to follow him around everywhere trying to make sure he didn't fall down, trip, stumble, crash, whatever.

From first steps using the table for support...

to walking with dinosaur...

to walking in the yard...

to running down the street, in only a few short weeks

He is now a very confident little mover and we spend a lot of our time following him around trying to keep him out of trouble. He is certainly a mischievous little man. We thought we had the house properly baby-proofed from LC, but we had no idea. If there is a cord, electrical outlet, or anything breakable or dangerous, LT bypasses all toys and head towards danger immediately. Anyone who has been to our house lately has noticed the lack of lamps, framed pictures, coasters, and a very thirsty Annabelle whose water bowl can longer be on the floor in LT's presence. His dangerous nature continues outside, where he attempts to charge head-on into anything he may encounter. He is a huge fan of animals and will stop at nothing to try and get them. The park and the zoo have become funny, if not dangerous, places to watch him have fun.

Cute until he almost grabbed a duck's neck while Dad was taking a picture

Watch me ride this sheep

Running towards the penguins at the zoo

We are just starting to enter the climbing phase. A few weeks ago, LT walked up to a staircase for the first time, and just started climbing. It was amazing and terrifying at the same time; he made it up a full flight in just a few seconds like a seasoned professional, got to the top, turned around and clapped like a champion. LC was two years old before she even considered climbing furniture or toys at the park; LT has no such reservations. I am pretty sure I'm going to walk into a room and find LT on a dresser or kitchen counter before his first birthday.

Hey Mom, watch me climb this tractor of questionable safety...

Another new skill LT recently learned is pointing. He is definitely feeling frustrated trying to communicate what he wants, and his new signature move is to excitedly flap his arms at the elbows and then frantically point. Most of the time he's pointing to something he can't have, like scissors or his sister's water cup, so this move is usually followed by loud, disgruntled screaming. But occasionally, we understand what he wants and are able to give it to him, which makes him so happy and he smiles the cutest, most content smile.

Demanding, and then trying to steal the camera

A typical look we get when he doesn't get what he wants

Other than moving freely about, the thing that makes him the happiest is food. He quickly moved from 'baby' food to table food, and while he will eat pretty much anything, he gets really excited about his favorites. Carrots and peas are still at the top of the list, but he recently discovered macaroni and cheese, and I'm pretty sure he would have eaten the whole box had we let him. Other favorites are raspberries, bananas, pizza, and of course, ice cream. At this age, LT was still eating mostly oatmeal and baby food, and didn't have much interest in anything else. But we literally can't keep him away. If she is eating something he can't have, he will scream unhappily the entire meal while frantically pointing. We've started looking various financing options, because we have no idea how we're going to be able to afford to feed him as he grows up.

His favorite toys right now are riding toys. He loves playing outside and always wants to ride on the tricycle or Cozy Coupe car. This works for me, because LC loves pushing him around, so they have a great time playing together. He loves anything with wheels and is just starting to push cars and trains around. He is also getting in to shape sorting toys and gets really excited when you help him get one in correctly. Tonight, he was cracking up when knocking down block towers, which doesn't work so well with LC because she loves to make towers and does not want anyone touching them, especially him. "NO BABY TOUCH TOWER!" We'll have to stick to playing outside.

Getting ready for the Buy Buy Baby Cozy Coupe 500

LC has become such a wonderful big sister. While there are certainly power struggles between the two, they are starting to play together more. He still loves watching her and always wants to be where she is, and LC is beginning to include him in her little world. They now take a bath together every night, and it is super cute. Speaking of the bath, LT is obsessed with his little toothbrush, and will literally try to leap out of the tub to get his hands on it during toothbrushing time. He only has 6 teeth, so hopefully this enthusiasm will continue as the rest come in.

Steering wheel cart...the only way we can get through a Publix trip

LT found it easier to steal sister's puffs, so she shoveled them in her mouth as fast as possible

Almost 11 months later and sleep is still a bit of struggle. Naps are fairly unpredictable--sometimes two a day, sometimes one and on really bad days, no naps at all. At night, he's so exhausted that he mostly passes out pretty easily around 6:30pm. On good nights, which are pretty rare, he will sleep until 5:30/6:00am. Others, he is up at all hours of the morning demanding to be held, cuddled and rocked, and he will cry the moment you move him away from your body. Unfortunately, he only gets angrier if anyone other than Mommy comes in to comfort him; this has made Trevor feel pretty useless, and me extremely exhausted. I just keep telling myself that I won't be rocking him to sleep at 2am when he's in middle school, right?

People of Earth, hear me...I WILL NOT NAP

It is probably pretty clear from these stories that LT has quite a personality. He is so determined and intense, and moving all the time that we forget just how little he really is. But every now and then, he will toddle up to you, lean in to to snuggle and suck his thumb while you hold him. Those moments are so sweet--he will let out a little content sigh--and all of a sudden, he is back up and running.