16.5 Month Update

I felt like we're needing an update since Burkley is growing and changing so much. So, here goes!

We had one decent snowfall other than the one that traumatized Burkley when we tried to take him sledding. He liked the snow better this time, but still didn't love it.

He love, love, LOVES to help me cook. I love that he does. My hubby has said he will build this for Burkley, but there are a few other projects going on around here, so I'm not sure when that's going to happen.

Mr. Independent loves trying to get his own snacks.

We have put away the high chair. He refused to sit in it anymore, so we set up the booster seat, which he apparently also hates. Mealtime is generally spent standing up, but that's alright. :)

He's been doing this thing where he puts his arms out like this and does a teeny little whine with the tone of a question, "Uh?" which means, "Pick me up, please?"

He is OBSESSED with cleaning. If he gets a Swiffer in his hands, it is an all out tantrum on the floor kicking and screaming when it gets taken away. Here he is already fussing because he knows I'm coming to take it from him.
Poor little guy. :(

We went to the zoo for the first time this season and it was so fun to watch him notice the animals. Last year he obviously didn't care much. This year I splurged and bought train tickets too- so glad I did, he loved it.

It is simply amazing to watch language development in a child. Burkley tries to repeat pretty much every thing he hears. One of his favorite things to repeat is, "I don't think so!" Some of his new words include shoes, boots, cracker, drink, and choo-choo (for "train"). He loves to hand us various objects while saying, "Thank you" since that is what we normally say to him when he hands us things.

Elimination Communication had taken a little hiatus. Since he had the chicken pox, he just has had no interest in going anywhere but his diaper. It was about two months of little to no EC until this week. He randomly signed that he had to go while we were at church on Sunday and things have been getting back on track all week.

This week as the weather's been so nice, we've spent a lot of time outside. I don't know if this is why or if he's just growing up or what, but we've had three nights in a row now of sleeping through the night! It's a strange feeling, I must admit, that I actually miss nursing him during the night. Maybe it won't last, I don't know. It could just be a phase, or maybe this is the new normal! 

Speaking of nursing, he is still nursing before his nap and before bed, and usually asks for it at some point between dinner and bedtime. So, it's about 2-3 times a day and then also right when he wakes up in the morning. His nighttime feedings are sporadic, ranging from 1-3 times.

He is also very independent (I suppose that's the "only child" in him!) and entertains himself quite well. In the mornings, he generally slips out of bed after nursing and goes to play in his room, our craft room, or on the floor in our room or in our closet. Everything is baby-safe upstairs, so as long as he doesn't venture downstairs, my hubby and I can stay in bed and get a little more snoozing in while Burkley plays.

His signing has become ever-helpful in the frustrations that come with toddlerhood. His sign for "help" is the one that is used the most. A friend of mine who also volunteers for the Natural Parents Network suggested teaching him the sign for help and cited that it helped her toddler overcome many frustrations and tantrums. This sign has seriously been a lifesaver. It really works! Rather than throwing a tantrum like he was, he will stop what he's doing and come over to me (or any adult) and sign for help. If we can't figure out what he needs help with (often it's taking the lid off of the toybox), he'll take us to where he needs help and we can figure it out. The sign for "please" has also made a comeback. He used to use that one a lot, but then he started saying the word instead. But, randomly he stopped using the word or the sign and began whining. One steady day of working on it with him was all it took and now he signs "please" when he wants something and it's so much more pleasant. Of course, signing for "milkies" is one that happens a lot. I think he just likes that he can get something when he signs. Sometimes I divert his attention and distract him, other times I let him nurse. He also signs "all done" when he's ready to move on from an activity to a different one. Just this morning, he started signing "drink" while saying it at the same time.

I'm loving this stage and we're having so much fun together every day. He's such a blast!