14 Month Feature

I haven't done an update on Colin's accomplishments and changes since he was 12 months. And even though he's well into his fifteenth month, I thought I'd do a post on what Colin is up to at 14 months. It is really remarkable how much he has changed since his first birthday.

He is walking well and even running now. We went to a neighborhood party on Saturday and it was so interesting and fun to watch him trying to keep up with the older kids. He definitely does not shy away...he likes to be right in the thick of things even if he struggles to keep up. Our next-door neighbor remarked on his cute running style - one arm out for balance and the other arm pumping for speed. He is also a pretty amazing climber. He can climb the ladder on our playset outside which is completely vertical. Of course I keep a hand on him at all times for safety but I don't really assist.

He can sign the words more, eat, milk, duck/bird, cat, shoes, all done and he's made up his own sign for car (looks like turning a key in the ignition). He can also say Mama, Dada, Pop Pop (sounds like bop bop), yes, no, ball, duck, and bye-bye (at least he makes sounds that sound like these words and he says them when it's appropriate). He waves hello and good-bye with gusto. And he can understand pretty much everything we say. He is very into helping. He helps put his toys and books away, he goes to the highchair when we tell him it is time to eat, he goes to get his shoes when we tell him it's time to leave. The funniest thing is his zest for diaper changing. When we tell him it's time for a diaper change, he runs into the office, pulls the changing pad down, tries to spread it out, and lays down on it. And when we're done, he throws away the dirty one. Of course all of this garners big claps and lots of praise.

He has lots of fun little rituals like having Keith and I kiss his stuffed bunny and little blankie (it's really a burp cloth) that he sleeps with. He also gives kisses although he hasn't learned to pucker his lips so his kisses are open-mouthed, wet and sloppy. But we love them!

He gave up his bottle after we got back from California. He was only drinking milk out of it (not water) and it wasn't a difficult transition (it only took a couple of days). He doesn't seem to get as much comfort from drinking milk from a cup though and he really only wants it at mealtimes. Speaking of meals, he is a pretty good eater but some evenings he doesn't seem all that excited about eating his dinner. Those nights we're lucky if more goes into his mouth than onto the floor. We have a new rule though that he has to help pick up whatever goes onto the floor. We'll see if that helps at all (doubtful). He has tried lots of different kinds of food - Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean and seems to like them all, at least at this point.

Basically he is a healthy, happy, charming baby boy who gets cuter and more fun by the day. We are so lucky!