45 Weeks

Likes:

• Putting things into containers or bags
• Having your picture taken
  
• Music and music making, which can be mistaken for banging when you're not dancing along with it.
  
• Books, looking at them by yourself or flipping through or reading with someone else
• Stroller rides, especially in the umbrella stroller where you can sit straight up and lean around the sides and really get a good look at things.
• Hanging upside down. You throw yourself backwards when someone is holding you to get the game going.
• Kisses on your toes and fingers. I get the picture when you're waving your toes in front of me incessantly, my dear.

Dislikes:

• Getting dressed
• Wearing hats
• Getting your face wiped, at least 80% of the time
  
• Having your nose wiped, 100% of the time
• There aren't very many, my guy. You're a rather agreeable fellow.

Vocabulary:

• Fussing during mealtime: often an indication that you want your "sip." After a few swigs of water you toss it on the ground. And you do NOT want it back. It's in your way on your tray so don't even attempt to put it there because it just ends up right back on the floor. You'll fuss when you're ready for it. Perhaps I need to work more on the sign for "cup" with you.
  
• Babble, babble, babble, complete with hand motions for emphasis.
• Lots of Mamas, and Dadas when appropriate.

Diet:

• 5.00am-ish: Nurse
  
• 7.00ish: Breakfast: 1/2-1 banana with 3-4 oz pureed apple or pear, 2 tablespoons oatmeal, and sometimes with a few blueberries, 3-4 oz whole milk yogurt, and then some goldfish or cereal bar (favorites: apple and blueberry)
• 10.00ish: Snack: Usually nursing, but we're working on dropping this nursing (but there is usually still a nap at this time and the nursing helps the nap) so I am starting to offer you other options....crackers, cereal, oranges, berries.
• 12.00ish: Lunch: 4-6 oz pureed veggie with rice cereal, a jar of your favorite baby food tender beef in spinach or vegetable turkey dinner or some cheese or other protein, and more goldfish.
  
• 2:00ish: Snack: Nurse. This goes with a nap.
  
• 5:00ish: Dinner: I am trying more and more to give you what we are having for dinner. The different textures often elicit a scrunched nose from you and some refusal, but I'll keep trying. But, more pureed fruits and vegetables are offered as well.
• 6.00ish: Nurse. It's bedtime.
• *This estimated eating schedule is WAY off with us out of town this week!*

Working on:

• Walking! You are so steady on your feet now, moving anywhere you want. You are letting go more and more to use your hands for other business, balancing or steadying yourself with your tummy on the furniture. You're still pretty cautious. I imagine 2 busted, swollen, bleeding lips would do that to a guy.
• Teeth? You've been drooling off and on and really gnawing on stuff, but I am not seeing any signs on your gums that more teeth are on their way.
• Drinking out of a cup, not a sippy! You have gotten the sippy down, both the soft and hard spouts. You are very interested in my drinks and like taking sips when offered. I'm getting better about not drowning you when tilting the glass in your direction.
• Taking bites of food offered to you. You really want to jam the entire piece of bagel or orange into your mouth but usually give in pretty quickly when you see I am not letting go and take a big bite with your front teeth.
• "Not for your mouth." We say this a lot. I know you are exploring but I want you to learn that food and drink goes in your mouth. I have not read anything about when or if this course of "training" is appropriate for your development, but I think you may be catching on to what I am talking about at least.

Personality:

• You love people, kids especially. When you see kids you lean in and give them a hug and sometimes an open mouth kiss. Sometimes you are a little cautious with new people and take a while to observe their face and gestures and listen to their voice before you crack a smile.
• I find you to be whiny sometimes. I think this is more a "just for Mama" thing. I try to recognize it as a cue that you need something but I am thinking it is just an "I'm a mama's boy" whine, much to your Daddy's disapproval. I'm working on ignoring it when appropriate.
• You are very much into giving hugs. You give a tight squeeze, and sometimes pull away only for a second before going in for more hugs.
• You laugh when we laugh. And then we laugh some more. Your laugh is sometimes a giggle, LOVE this, and sometimes it is this silliness where your nose is scrunched and you are breathing heavily in and out through your nose...kinda like a snorty laugh like your Mama.