Milestones

Lots happening these days in Xander's world. Milestones are coming at an alarming rate! I think we've begun the toddler years early. 

1. Walking. He's a walking maniac! Can't keep this kid down these days. He barely crawls at all anymore. It's fascinating and frightening how quickly he has progressed. I had to buy him shoes. So weird!

2. Talking. He's really starting to imitate speech. He's getting the simple stuff like "ouch" right away and repeats it back. If only we could get him to fully understand and follow "no" then "ouch" might not be so necessary! He also chatters a lot to himself and us. It's insanely cute. 

3. Waving. He's starting waving goodbye as well. He does it backwards (flaps his hand towards himself) but it's still adorable. 

4. Teething. Oh my goodness, lots and lots of teeth. The one to the right of his lower middle is pretty much in now and the other side is cutting right now. Plus, a lower canine has already broken the skin but is taking its sweet time to come in fully. It's swollen and causing him tons of pain. We also have a suspicion that a molar or two might be starting as well. Early, I know! We've been blowing through pain meds and teething tablets just trying to manage it. Mostly at night but sometimes he's hurting so badly during the day we have to give him a half dose. Poor guy. :(

5. Strength and coordination. X managed to open two different "child-proof" pill bottles this week. No kidding. He's also figuring out how to open the baby gates (yippee), drawers, cabinets and everything in between. 

6. Intense learning. All of a sudden X can do things like the stacking rings, shape sorter and other logic toys. It's pretty cool to see him learning in such a tangible way. He's also really grasping "under" and "inside" sorts of games and can sometimes pick out stuff in books when we ask. He's endlessly curious. So awesome. 

7. Eating. While he's still primarily breastfed, X is eating pretty much everything we are (except sweets of course). Tuna, crackers, fruits of all kinds, veggies of all kinds, eggs, breads, meats, cereals, cheese. His current faves are broccoli, pasta, chicken, bananas and Wheat Thins with tuna salad. But that's this week. Oh, and he's also figured out that if he drops food off the side of his highchair that Dite-dog will swoop in and eat it. Joy of joys that has been!

If I didn't birth him myself I'd swear he was older than 10.5 months. This kid, I tell ya. Trying to grow up WAY too fast. I look at the pics from this week and can't believe how big he is. Oy. 

At the office

Highchair fun

Baby in boxes