C has turned into a real-life little boy. He talks up a storm, he has seemingly no fear of physical harm, his body’s starting to be able to keep up with this mind, and of course, he’s getting taller and taller. Meaning he can reach further and further onto the counters, or open doors (and go outside), or loot the pantry. As a result, we have most of the food on the top two shelves, which makes it hard to find anything, so really, the pantry is serving nobody right now.
He loves being outside with the dog, digging in the dirt (not my freshly planted garden!?!), picking up sticks, playing in the bird feeder, picking dandelions, running and laughing (I don’t think he’s capable of running silently) and throwing… most anything he can lay his hands on. We’re still good for one nap a day, and he doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night anymore, though I’d still prefer that he sleep in just an extra half hour. It’s funny to think about, because for so long (was it really that long though?), he’d wake up in the middle of the night – at first, every two hours, then twice, then once, then once, but not until 4 or 5, then… not at all. And it’s been that way for several months now. It really just sneaks up. You dread hearing him cry through the monitor, then all of a sudden, he hasn’t woken up at night for three weeks.
He uses a fork and spoon with almost all his meals, not quite up to par with Miss Manners, but he manages pretty well. It’s not always (read: ever) clean, but when it comes down to it, I’d sure like to be more messy with my food sometimes. He imitates everything, and often repeats words after just hearing them once (so everyone that spends time with him, you are hereby officially put on notice). He has developed quite the independent streak, but still cooperates with picking up toys most of the time. Many times, it’s all we can do to turn keep a stern demeanor, or at least turn our faces away so he can’t see us laughing.
All in all, it’s been a fun, often bumpy ride, with many more bumps (literally) to come, but it’s an experience like no other, and worth it in every sense of the word.
It sounds like your boy is growing up. May he go through many more stages in healthy and happy.