16 Month Update

Blaine's Words
Di- cat/any other animal
Bee- animals/lights (oddly)
Gaga- cracker
Dada
Nana- Banana/Nana K

Pierce's Words
Uh-oh
Dada
Gaga- cracker
Nana- banana
Wassat?- What's that? (while pointing)
Mmmmmm- Car sound

Both boys are becoming more and more vocal these days. They are getting better at repeating words we tell them to say and understanding the connections. It makes them seem even more like little people.

Pierce finally cut both top teeth and looks older just as I suspected. Blaine has been working on molars and has cut 3 so far. I think Pierce has cut one, which was surprising since he only has four in the front. Pierce has had a few crankier days lately and I think this is a big reason. Blaine seems to take it in stride though most days.

We are officially down to one nap a day which usually happens between 12 and 12:30. Blaine was less ready for only one and still falls asleep on the way home from errands sometimes, bless his heart. Most days they sleep about 2 hours, but sometimes more if I'm lucky. I've enjoyed our new schedule because it's allowed for more open time to do things and they usually go right down once it's time.

They have started getting attached to BJ a little more these days, especially Blaine. They are very aware when he leaves for work in the morning and Blaine will often walk him to the gate and say something very seriously with a furrowed brow. It's like he's trying to understand why he's leaving again. It's so cute and breaks BJ's heart all at the same time. Pierce consistently says "dada" if we're talking about him or once he sees him. I'm afraid we are nearing the shift where I'm not the only who's hung the moon and the stars in their little worlds.

Meal times continue to be fairly chaotic, mostly because Pierce is still so picky. He is so unopen to trying anything and if he does he makes a disgusted face before the neural connection between his taste buds and brain have even had time to connect. He is keeping me humble as a mom in this area. We think he may have eaten a green bean or two the other night when we weren't looking though. We've continued not to pander to his wants, but offer him his meal as is. He'll usually eat the fruit portion, but oftentimes that's it. I just hold on to Dr. Hartman's wisdom that he won't let himself starve. It's really not the starving I worry about, but the nutrition. I hope it turns around one of these days. On the other hand, Blaine is a meal champ. He will still try and likes just about everything. He's also gotten really good at using his silverware. He can eat entire meals stabbing things with his fork (He learned with his egg strips.) and we're working on liquids with a spoon. I think it will change my life when one or both can completely feed themselves!

Blaine is practically running now and seems more toddler and less baby-like by the day. Pierce can walk, but just chooses not to still. He can take multiple steps between us when we bait or make him, but then goes right back to crawling. At least we know he can, but I'm just concerned about when he'll decide he's ready. That baby has a stubborn streak in him that scares me sometimes! They've also gotten pretty good at mastering stairs. We worked on going down feet first on their bellies and they really latched on to it. It's so cute to seem them diligently get down on their stomachs (sometimes a good 2 feet from the stairs) and scoot themselves back and down. We still have all gates up and probably will for sometime because I like them contained so I know where they are. Plus we're not quite that good at going down yet.