16 Months

Oliver is now sixteen months old. I know I say this every time, but I just can't believe how grown up and big he is getting. He is still a high energy kid. He runs, climbs (his favorite is to get on top of the closed toilet seat), plays with his cars, and throws balls. He loves to watch everything we do in the kitchen and insists on pulling over a chair so he can be part of the action. He also loves to read books. He pulls them all of the shelf (see below) and then hands me a book, plops in my lap, and insists that I read him the book. He would do this all day long if I had the patience - which I don't.




Oliver is still a good eater, although he maintains his aversion to veggies, especially green ones. I am trying to sneak veggies into his food where I can. We put spinach in his smoothies (which you can't even taste) and I make muffins with carrot, zucchini and apple in them. I even purchased the Deceptively Delicious cookbook, where you prepare veggie purees and add them to foods where they won't be detected by picky children. I haven't made any of the recipes yet, but I am excited to try them. Ollie loves sweet potato fries, smoothies, pancakes, eggs, crackers, yogurt and most fruit.

His favorite toys are his matchbox cars, blocks, balls, bead mazes, and tools. Yes, he is all boy. It is amazing how different boys and girls are. He likes to "drive" his cars on the walls and cupboards, which he is not supposed to do. He also throws things when he gets excited/frustrated. We try to redirect him by having him throw soft balls instead of cars and/or blocks.

Oliver also loves to play outside. He likes to play on his slide, stomp in puddles, and play in the dirt. He loves playing outside with Eli at daycare and they get mighty dirty rolling in the mud and what not.

Ollie is also starting to increase his vocabulary. In addition to signing, he says car, ball, out, up, mama, dad, bebe (pacifier or blankie), juice, go, no, hi, bye, dog, more, bath, bird and a few more. He is also starting to repeat things we say (dangerous territory, I know). He recently said Crock-pot and Giraffe after I said them, but now he won't repeat them when I ask him to. Figures.

Oliver really loves animals and is getting so good with animal sounds and associating them with animals. He does baa, moo, neigh, ruff-ruff, meow, and roar. He waves, blows kisses, does high fives, claps, play peek-a-boo, and does fake laughs (which is hilarious). Did I mention that he is a bundle of energy? He is so much fun and it is fascinating to watch him play and figure things out. What a fun (and exhausting) age!!