Gus's Grandiose Gabble: 21 Months (February 11th, 2012)

Where has the time gone??? I can't get over the fact that Gus is 21 months already... that means in three months he'll be turning two. It doesn't seem possible.

My son can do so many things-- he amazes me daily. His language is probably the only area that isn't up to par, but some people/kids just aren't overly chatty. I can't even say he's not chatty, because he IS. I just can't understand what he's saying. There are some things that he says though, that are clear as a bell.

When I was outside yesterday calling for Elphie (she got out AGAIN)... Gus was out there with me (he can open the door and get outside). I'd call, "El... phie..." and he repeated back the same thing. It was so precious.

Gus is a lover. He loves to make new friends, loves to share, and loves to help. He hasn't met a stuffed animal that he doesn't love. He also loves his blankets and will wrap himself up in them and walk around all snuggled up. I got him a Snuggie, but it's a little too big for him.

Gus jumps, runs, throws (even makes baskets), kicks, climbs, crawls through tunnels, and slides down anything slippery that's elevated. He's very active and is all boy.

Here's what Great Beginnings says about being 21 months:

How I Grow

I'm becoming a little less self-centered.
I love to run, throw, and climb.
I can walk upstairs with both feet on each step holding a railing.

How I Talk

I can say about 20 words.
I like to have you sing me rhyming songs.
I like to look at books, but if you don't watch me, I will tear them.
I try to follow directions.
I'm interested in very tiny things, especially bugs. Watch what I put in my mouth.
I can recognize and name people I know from photographs.
I can put together a simple picture puzzle if it has only two or three large pieces.
I love to build and knock down, empty, pull apart, feel, twist, and squeeze everything I can get my hands on.

How I Get Along with Others

I'm developing a mind of my own, so I don't respond so quickly to requests and often do the opposite of what I'm asked.
I can understand what's mine and what's yours.
I try to tell people what I have seen and done.

Play I Enjoy

I can wash and dry my hands.
I can hold a cup and drink from it.
I may be able to put on my shoes, but I still can't lace them, and I may put them on the wrong feet.
I like to fit things together.
I enjoy using a toy telephone.
I like to pull things around in a wagon or cart.
I like playing tag with you or an older child.

Gus loves trains. He loves the sound of a train, the look of a train, and will gladly say, "Chooo chooo" when asked about a train. :-) He also loves cars and things with wheels. He likes to play with his Matchbox cars- when I go to Kroger, I always buy him one or two, since they have GIANT bins of cars and they're $1 each.

Gus does not bite others and hasn't hit anyone. He has had a few time outs, but they happened just before bedtime/nap time and I believe 100% that they were due to him being tired. Gus doesn't like to get into trouble, so discipline hasn't been a problem that we've had to deal with yet.

We have a chore chart and we'll be starting to use it in the next few months. Probably not until Gus is two... right now, he is too interested in pulling the chore labels off the chart.

We'll be starting to review our daily schedule with the schedule for the day that I made for him. It's getting to the point that he's starting to understand routine and what we have planned for the day.

We have Monday playgroup, so it's been a blessing to have that added into our weekly routine. The group is full of boys (and two girls) and Gus loves his buddies (Ryan, Riggs, Logan, and little Ryan).

It seems like this past month, Gus's emotions have really started to come to light. He has various faces that he makes... from one minute to the next, he can smile and scowl. Strangers can easily mistake his scowls for him disliking them, but he's just trying on a face to get a reaction... and it works. :-)

Here are just a few of Gus's faces:

He's funny and makes me laugh. I love spending each day with him and watching him come into his own little person. He's got quite the personality and can be very jovial and happy one minute and screaming and having a tantrum the next. It all boils down to his expectations being met or not met. When he thinks something should be a particular way, and it doesn't go according to his plan... watch out. He will let his feelings about it be known.

I'm excited to see what this month brings. He's on the cusp of a language break-through... I can feel it. He says a lot of jibberish right now, but it'll soon come together. He's finally starting to like to read again (YAY) and will snuggle with me to read.

I just ordered some puzzles for him and I'm eager for them to arrive so we can work on colors, shapes, and animals.