17 Months

17 Months and oh so much accomplished! W has sprouted 5 more teeth (including 3 molars) over the past month...all the better to bite me with! Well, it doesn't happen often but he has been known to sample my arms. They must be tasty as right now they're bruised from a little chomp or two.

On Christmas Day W mastered climbing onto the kitchen chairs and the table. He's pretty good at sitting on the chairs now (rather than standing & dancing as was his first preference) and he mainly stays off the table yet has been known to help himself to a banana (skin & all!).

Communicating is big on W's list and I'm sure this skill will take off in the next few months. Dog, Oof-oof (that's what a dog says), UCK (yuck), oh-oh, oh no, Bra (Brad) and with MUCH prompting Mom-mom. He signs more, eat, bird, and is trying others as well.

Bellybuttons have slightly lost their intrigue...yet mine was thoroughly examined in IKEA last week.

Climbing up and down the stairs on his own are a regular routine and he has also started walking out to the truck while holding a parent's hand too. This is a nice progression for me, yet I couldn't help but feel nostalgic and missing my baby as I watched W & B walk out to the truck last Saturday morning as left for the Motorcycle Show. **Sigh** W is growing up so fast.

His funny, little sense of humor often takes me by surprise as he likes to tease and be teased. He loves to be chased around the kitchen island and living room and will persue you as well all the while laughing his great belly laugh. We're trying to encourage being a loving child....he tolerates our hugs & kisses, sometimes will give them in return and often hugs smaller children when we are out at play areas, etc. He even chased one boy down to hug him for the second time. That poor little fella didn't know what to think or how to get away!

So, our growth continues...ours as much as W's....hopefully all three of us will grow and change for the better.