17 Months

We were a day late taking pictures this month, but we had Daddy's assistance, so better smiles and worth the delay. Aunt Krista got him this romper that says "fishing for kisses" and it's the prettiest turquoise color...unfortunately it won't fit very much longer!

17 months old

 ...with the attention span of a flea.

Hugs...

...and kisses.

"If you're happy and you know it,

clap your hands!"

Bear-y love!

As opposed to last month, which seemed a lot like the previous month, there have been some new behaviors and experiences. To list a few...

• Abram has learned to "blow" when food is hot, and he can also blow a whistle and the bird ocarinas that my dad makes. He will also "blow" his nose...but he blows through his mouth for that too.
• Selective hearing has begun....I'm on to him.
• We started "swim lessons" at the YMCA and Abram's favorite thing is to JUMP off the side to me.
• He is understanding SO much more of what we say and ask of him. We just don't understand a lot of what he says yet....all in good time.
• Abram is able to turn on his keyboard, press the "demo all" button and then dances to all the songs...so funny! 
• Doesn't cry anymore when going to "Sunday School", just walks right in to play! Still fusses when we go to get him like he's asking "where did you go??"
• RUNS around the house and flops himself up onto chairs and couches in one fluid motion.
• Loves to go visit the neighbors chickens and will occasionally say, "bak, bak".
• Woke up from a nap with a fever of 102.6...he was miserable, scared me, but it came down with one dose of Tylenol and the rash that followed cleared up almost as quickly as it appeared (diagnosed Hand, Foot and Mouth).
• Holds himself up and will often pee and/or poop on the BIG toilet!
• Can point to his eyes, nose, ears, mouth, head, hair, elbow (with some difficulty), knee, toes, feet, chest, hands, fingers and belly...and likes to point to ours too.
• Recognizes and laughs at Grandpa's (my dad) voice on the phone when he makes his Donald Duck sounds.
• Really enjoys playing with "his" phone...one of our old ones.
• LIKES WHOLE GREEN BEANS!! Still spitting out most fruits unless pureed.
• Waves goodbye to Daddy every morning out the window, and to strangers he's just met, such as the cashier at the grocery store.
• Showing interest in more "complex" books. He added Mercer Mayer's "Just Me and My Dad" to his frequent reading pile this past week.
• In addition to "noggin", "fist bump" (or is it "bomb") has been added to his repertoire, thanks to the instruction of Dale, one of Curtis's co-workers. He will now go from person to person wanting to bump fists. Pretty cute:)
• MY favorite thing this month has been his improved understanding of hugs and kisses. He will now tilt his little face upwards and push his lips out a bit to receive a kiss and squeeze back when we hug him. He's even done the "running hug" with Curtis a few times, running into his arms.