The Reed Family: 16 Months

Harrison turned 16 months yesterday. He is so much fun (despite all the ear troubles!). You still can't turn your back for a second with this one though. He is into everything! Just this weekend, I caught him eating food out of the trash can, unrolling a whole role of toilet paper in the bathroom, throwing his paci in the toilet, dumped out the dog's water bowl no less than 5 times, and throwing Hudson's clean underwear in the trash can. He has also learned to weasel his way out of restaurant high chairs so he can stand up, which pretty much makes eating out impossible since it's difficult to eat with one hand holding him down! He is so different from Hudson! Are all second children trouble??? Look at him though--he is just so cute I can't stand it!

At 16 months, Harrison is maybe finally beginning to talk some. It's not a ton, but it's more than last month! He is copying most of what we say. We are definitely still his translators though. He uses a lot of inflection when he "talks." He is still pointing to what he wants most of the time. His teachers claim that he says bye bye and woof woof for a dog, but I have yet to hear either of those two words! He is also shaking his head "no" for when he doesn't want something. He also understands basic commands. He claps at everything, especially when he has done something good! He is very proud of himself. He will also hold our hand when he walks, which is so sweet.

He is running like crazy. He's definitely gotten more stable in the past month. Chase is still his favorite game. He is also trying to jump so hard! I don't remember when they are supposed to jump, but he will crouch down and use his whole body to lift himself up and then he just doesn't go anywhere! He thinks it is so fun though. He's going to love getting some air under his feet when the time comes! He can, however, get some air on the bed...not that we ever let him do that or anything. :) He wants to be very independent with the stairs, which scares me so much. He will no longer let me carry him up or down the stairs; he has to do it himself, holding my hand of course. He also loves to brush his own teeth--like LOVES it. He will stand on the stool in the bathroom and smile at it until you get it for him. The minute I try to brush his teeth is a different story though.

He is also showing interest in using utensils at meal time. He will no longer let me spoon feed him anything. He has to do it. He is actually not too bad with it, but obviously it makes a much bigger mess. I guess that is all part of it! Now if I could just get him to quit throwing his food off his high chair. Thankfully, we have dogs...can't imagine having to clean all that up after every meal time! Ha!

We have officially dropped the morning nap. He goes down for a nap around 1 and sleeps for 3 hours. I am thankful that he is still such a great sleeper.

I am loving watching Harrison and Hudson play together now. They still have their moments of stealing toys and pushing each other, but for the most part, they are great together. Harrison wants to do everything that Hudson does. They are even starting to rough house, which is a little scary, but I know that is just part of it!

He is in 24 months and 2T clothes right now. He's still big, but I can definitely tell that he is losing the baby fat. He's looking more like the kids in his class now than the bully! He still only has the four teeth, two top, two bottom. They sure are taking their sweet little time coming in!