Note to self 13 months

This is just as much for Gavin as it is for me. Making notes of his development and stages as he grows up.

13 1/2 months

Gavin is getting quite the personality. He loves to be outside and to look at books. He loves anything with a steering wheel and glows with happiness when he can "drive" something. He knows what he wants when he wants it, even when we don't have a clue what that may be. He throws his food (extremely painful for me to watch) when he's done eating something or doesn't want it at all. And every day what he wants to eat changes. But despite all this he does eat really good and never seems to gain an ounce.

He says "this" and points to what he wants even if it's something he can't have. He particularly likes beer and wine (thanks to their frequency in his life due to daddy and grandparents). He tries to eat with a fork and spoon and sometimes is able to poke food and get it to his mouth, for which he smiles with glee for his accomplishment. He drinks well from a cup when I'm willing to let him, again me wanting to avoid another mess to clean up. He drinks through a straw as well, he loves yogurt smoothies.

He knows many body parts; head, tongue (his favorite), feet, eyes, ears, and belly button. He pants to make the sound for dog, blows through his lips for elephant, snorts for pig, and moos for cow. At playgroups he quietly observes all the older kids (which is not always a good thing) and I would love to know what is going through his mind.

He cries when daddy leaves for work for just a few minutes. He doesn't want to let go. And when he hears his car and I say "daddy's home" he listens intently with a smile on his face and says "dada."

He has temper tantrums or frustrated freak-outs throughout the day. He squeals, falls on his butt, and slaps his hands down. (Shannon says it's just like my temper tantrums). Unfortunately, he's right. I don't recall having one of these in front of him, but if I have, he's picked up on it. If not, he's soaked it from my genes.

He has 8 teeth and molars on the way and his sleep patterns vary around these teeth and random illnesses. He puts himself to sleep with ease these days as long as he has a dark room, his favorite yellow blankie, and a plug we only use for sleep. He takes two naps both just an hour or so. But in the middle of the night, he still cries out when he wakes just to make sure we are still here.

He's a wonderful little boy who can make me laugh and cry in anger and frustration all in the same moment. And I love him for it.