blossoming understanding

My baby is going to be 14 months old next week. This is a really neat time to spend with him because it seems like every day/week he learns something new.

About a month ago he finally got the hang of walking, and now he's mastering the advanced techniques such as walking fast, turning, walking backwards, walking while carrying objects, even spinning circles (aka dancing). The combination of his increased speed and new height is making it harder to keep things out of reach from his little paws. It's only going to be a few short months before he can reach the counter top in the kitchen; he can already reach the edge of the bathroom counter top.

The little turkey is also able to climb. We have thankfully broken him (more or less) from the bad habit of standing on the oven drawer handle and holding onto the oven door handle. He thought this was a cool place to hang out and a convenient way to try and reach whatever was on the stove top! yikes! Just the other day after I told him it was time to go for a walk I came back into the room after tying back my hair to find he had climbed up into his jog stroller and was already sitting in it --ready to go mom!

Another endearing habit baby boop has developed lately is carrying around clothes or shoes. He walks around with the item and calls out who it belongs to, with surprising accuracy I might add. He even seems to know which area of the body the clothes are worn on as he sometimes tries to put them on. That reminds me, he's also been spotted walking around with the breast pump held to his chest calling out ma-ma?

This morning as I was finishing the dishes I turned to grab a towel to dry my hands only to see boop carrying the dish towels down the hall way. I was curious so I watched him and sure enough--the boy
took them straight to his laundry hamper and put them in it! Genius! I'm sure this mom won't forget for a moment to remind him as a teenager that he knew what the hamper was for when he was just 1 year old! (and he better not forget it!)

It really wouldn't be fair of me to only talk about the fabulous stuff. Boopers is also starting to really scream in protest whenever we say 'no' or take him away from something he wants. While I was trying to water a few plants outside I let him just walk around. Of course he got the hose when I turned it on, but I figured no biggie if he gets wet, we're going to shower soon anyway. Then when we were all done watering he just was screeching when I took him back inside. Sheesh little man, take it easy! Fortunately distraction is a method that still works.

These are just some fun examples from the last few days of my son's demonstrations of his blossoming understanding of the things around him. It is just plain awesome to see your child learning not just to play with a toy but to understand the use and meaning of valuable items.