One Year Plus

It's been awhile since I've posted an update on our changing baby, turned toddler, Miles.  He's almost a new kid since his one year birthday.  I can't believe he'll soon be 15 months.  Suddenly our little guy is walking, almost running, climbing onto chairs, and doing the moonwalk (ok, not really, but he does shuffle backwards).  He points and uses a few baby signs.  We were so impressed when he picked up "more" and "please" that we gave him whatever he signed for--now to break that unrealistic expectation...

Miles has a handful of words that he uses, stringing them together into little nonsense phrases.  Mama, Dada, Nana, Lights!  Teeth, teeth, keys, lights!  He tells us when his food is hot (or even just warm) by saying "ha!" and points to shoes, keys, and balls and names them.  Miles loves animals and makes a woof sound when he sees dogs, and a little growl if he sees a picture of a lion, tiger, or bear.  I love watching Miles wave and say "buh buh" and "answer" his toy phone and say "haigh"(imagine a southern accent). I hear that the next few months are filled with language development, and I'm excited to watch him develop his own voice.

Miles spends part of his week with our nanny and another baby boy, and part of the week with me.  I am so thankful to spend more time with him at home.  On our days together we wake up and have breakfast, brush our teeth (his absolute favorite thing to do), and try on Dad's shoes (another favorite activity for Miles, not me).  We run errands, meet up with friends, and walk around the neighborhood.  My favorite activity is probably reading with Miles.  He loves to point to objects in the pictures, and I can tell that his little brain is learning so much.

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And it's also exhausting.  I truly don't know which is harder work--teaching students all day, or raising one toddler at home.  How do mothers of multiple kids do it?  We've also entered the world of tantrums and whining.  Sometimes it's hard not to laugh when Miles rolls on the ground in protest.  Other times, I feel like crying too.  And if anyone has a tried and true method for keeping a toddler from throwing food on the floor, I'd love to hear it.

I really love this age though, and especially love my quality time with our little boy.