28th month

This may be the first monthly update I have done on time in a long time! I am pretty proud of myself. :)

- Games: He started to play a few games. He does not necessarily grasp the concept, but he thinks it is fun. When he plays hide and seek, he will close his eyes and count and let you hide, then sometimes he will look for you, sometimes not. Then if it is his turn to hide, he just runs out of his hiding place (typically in plain site) and laughs when you are done counting. "I spy" is another one he will play for hours if you let him. He understands that you take turns and he is sure to tell you when it is your turn. He is pretty good about finding whatever the other person "spys", but sometimes when it is his turn, he says the color first and then tries to spy it. And lastly, "Ring around the rosy". He gets this one, as it is pretty simple, but it is not a favorite of mine, I get dizzy SUPER easy, wonder why that is?

- Imagination: I am sure I have said this one before because watching him play and use his imagination fascinates me. He can take any inanimate object and make it come to life. Some of the most common story lines involve eating/biting something or someone; rescuing something/someone; some form of ocean life or dinosaur that makes loud noises; flying; running; fixing someone/something that is hurt (doctor kit).

- Clean up song: Will randomly clean up all of his toys and try to sing the clean up song. I attribute this one to Kara. I will do it with him every now and again, but I think she makes it a game every time she is here.

- Favorite things: He got his first jigsaw puzzle at the Zoo and he will sit and help you "make the picture" almost always until it is done. He is particularly loving his tent upstairs again, he has made it is "doctor" tent. He made Daddy get in there one night and fixed him all up with medicine and kisses after he poked him in the eye with a snake (smile). Swimming or any pool time (a separate post on this one to come). Toy Story anything. He also likes to practice his alphabet in sign language. He knows through "E" really well but knows through "I" with some help. Anytime he makes a shape with his hand he says "what letter is this?". Kara has been teaching him.

- Language: This month, like every month, he has surprised me with how much he is communicating with us. He absolutely knows what he wants to do and does not want to do and he tells us about it. Daddy asks him every night when he gets home what he did that day, I have to prompt his memory a bit, but he will tell him. Although he does not like to be put on the spot, so don't expect too much next time you see him. :)

This also includes him becoming a tattle tale! Be careful what you do and say! He told Daddy what his fathers day present was before he opened it; when we go to the store he tells on Da and points out the chips that he gets; etc.

He calls me Mommy more than Mama now. I still prefer Mama, but what do you do?! He uses "you" in place of "your"; "You hair is messy"; "You turn"; "lets get in you car". Which brings me to the latest, he says "lets" all the time now and for some reason I think that is so cute! "lets play with my times", "lets do it", etc. He also insists on knowing everyone's names including all of this friends Mommy's names.

- Sleeping: sleeping awesome! It is rare that we wakes up before 8:00, but typically about 8:30, and sometimes 9:15! Then still takes a 2 - 2.5 nap and gets in bed at 8:00. He is in a better mood when he sleeps this much.

"uh huh"

Just a funny side note:

John's most said phrase for the last month or longer is "uh huh" (next to "no" of course). I am not exactly sure where he learned this, as we (including all the people he is around most) do not use this phrase in place of 'yes'.

Parrott

WARNING: John will repeat ANYTHING you say. Consider yourself warned.

Two words

Something I forgot to mention on the 17 month blog -

This past month was the first time that John started to put 2 words together. Mainly it is "more _____" (balls, water, etc.) or "bye bye _____" (water, bowls, rock, light, Ba'ee, Ka'ee, balls, etc.).

We are in the habit of saying goodbye to whatever he does not want to stop doing, it seems to help him get over it quicker.

What a big boy!

2nd first word

I am not sure what to consider his first word....

When he started making noises that resembled words, I think we would say his first word was "dog"; although it was missing the clear "g" sound.

Now that the words are becoming more clear and less interpretation needed, his first super clear word is "book". He says it clear as day with a little accent on the "k". So cute.

So I am calling "book" his 2nd first word.

"More"

As you can see from the picture, John is signing the word "more". It was not hard to capture this picture as he does this ALL THE TIME! I love it - it really cuts down on frustration, but he does wear it out a bit! :) He signs 'more' about 1000 a times a day, some of which you have NO idea what he wants more of.

He uses it most when he is eating; or if you are doing something fun with him and you stop; or when we finish a book; orwhen his songs from the nursery rhyme cd is over. But there are times that he just walks over to you and starts doing it, or when his plate and cup are full and he is still insisting on more....we are still tryig to decipher.

Nonetheless, I love it and I want him to learn more. I really wish I started working with him sooner; I think the 12 month mark would be good, because they can pick it up pretty easily at that point before the parents get frustrated and quit trying (guilty). I know he is right around the corner from talking, but getting a glimpse of communiating with him is too much fun! If any of you Mom's out there had any other key signs that helped you guys, let me know! He has "all done", "eat" (picture below), "more", "milk" and "sleepy".
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