April 23, 2007: 13 months and the world is his
Let's get the facts out of the way: At one year Ivan is:
- 30" (76.2 cm) tall
- weighs 19 lbs 15 oz (9 kg)
- has 4 teeth (two just emerging)
- LOVES all fruit, including chocolate
- has stinky feet
He doesn't talk really, but can say mama, papa and nein (no). Why "nein"? Just keep reading. He also signs a few things, mostly "sleepy time" which he does by hitting his head with his hand. Originally this was meant to be leaning his head against the palm of his hand, but he modified it to his own liking. He signs "eating" by putting three fingers to his mouth and then ocasionally he will sign "drinking" by putting his thumb to his mouth and also "more" by putting a few fingers from his right hand on his left-hand palm. I am planning on filming this as proof for the future but haven't had the opportunity yet. It's really amazing to me that he can do all this, even though the books said he would and it is a very common thing these days, but still... Today at the grocery store I found a box of ladyfingers and he saw it, grabbed it, then looked at me and made the "eating" sign. I was so proud and shocked... I was having a successful exchange with a thirteen-month-old!
I'm still figuring Ivan out. Not just because of his age, but because he is so different from Veronika. I'm trying to compare him to all the typical boy behavior I have heard about, just because I'm curious what boys are like and if I'm doing a good job here. But of course, I will never know that later part until he is 18 and throws it all into my face. Anyway, in what ways is Ivan a boy? The climbing ways for example. He tries to climb on everything. Obviously the stairs (which he can do quite easily), then the bed, then the headboard (then he cries for help), then whatever other thing that could be interpreted as a stool (like piano bench, for example). He loves to open and close things (DVD cabinet with glass doors), push buttons (entertainment center), throw things off from wherever they are (full boxes of toys, dishes on the shelves), but most of all he likes to spread objects all over and everywhere. There is always a bunch of things on the floor. And when he is done with that task he whines, because he is bored and wants the really interesting things like the phone, the computer mouse, the alarm clock, the...
Are you still wondering why he mastered the word "nein"? Yes? Turns out this time around I am privileged to have one of those toddlers that like to play with the toilet and toilet related things. If we are not careful and happen to leave the toilet cover up, he will swish his hands in it immediately. Has it happened that he swished his hand in it when the toilet was not flushed? Guess. Luckily he hasn't figured out yet, how to lift the cover (it is a matter of minutes I believe until his brain is ready to give his hands the right command to do this), so if there is nothing to be done with the toilet, he will turn around and start pulling the toilet paper. At first it was to see how much paper there was on a roll (A LOT), but now it is more to turn the sheets of paper into tiny little pieces, always tinier and tinier... ever so tiniest. Then those little toilet paper pieces will accompany him wherever he goes, leaving a decorative trail on the carpet.
This is one side of Ivan. The other side, that makes all of this bearable is his cuddly, snuggly self. Even when he was really tiny, he had this sweet and tender thing about him, but now he can express it and I am completely taken by it. (Caution, cutesy and saccharine mom talk ahead!) He loves to give kisses and often will come over by himself and plant a kiss on your cheek or your mouth or your knee or hand and then smile at you and go back to his business. When he hasn't seen me in a while he will reach for me and put his head on my shoulder and stay like that for 5 minutes or longer. He prefers to fall asleep while I'm still in the room (very entertaining for me...), even better if I'm touching him (- which only confused and roused Veronika). Sometimes when he sits in his high chair during a meal he will lean towards me and then we have to hug and cuddle and he will make these "ahmmmm" sounds. I'm just surprised how much he likes to show affection. It's such a nice thing to be hugged and kissed like that, especially when you think you cannot pick up one more piece of toilet paper off the floor in your life, ever. (Yeah, yeah I could keep the bathroom door closed, I realize that, but what would I write about then?!)
I'm both scared and excited of what is coming. The time between 1 and 2 is a very difficult but then again also a very cute phase. Toddlers are these babyish people, you just want to cuddle, but then they are also capable of everything, while not being able to communicate. I just hope I can keep him alive through all his stunts and also you know, stay sane myself in the meantime.
Posted by mama at 04:21 PM