Celebrating 13 months!!

Ralph had a good Easter. The Easter Bunny hid some eggs at Grandma & Grandpa's and Ralph helped Grandma find them. He received a toy for the fridge so he can now safely play with things on the fridge and we don't have to worry about the magnets. He also got a few more books and some other fun things.

Ralph has turned a little more opinionated in the last month. He still doesn't shake his head no in defiance but voices his opinion - if you take him out of the bathtub before he is ready he'll let you know how unhappy he is about it. If you take away a food container that barely has enough food left for one more bit he'll let you know that was not a good idea.

He is also trying to find out how much he can get away with - if he is done eating a certain food he'll take a little handful of it, reach his arm out over the tray and drop it . . . or sometimes he'll just throw it so it lands somewhere else.

Ralph will try most any foods - he just likes some more than others. Using a fork is still fun. We are starting to let him use a spoon more but they also create a little more mess.

Ralph is not an independent walker yet but is starting to get into more trouble pulling himself up and standing on tip toes to reach for things on end tables and other places. He is getting more comfortable pulling himself up and getting back down by himself. He may learn how to crawl up on the couch before he can walk at the rate he is going.

Ralph loves to "read" books and seems to have his favorites when reading by himself.

One of his upper teeth has broke though and another is getting close.

His vocabulary is growing. . . .ha(t), boo(k), daddy, bye bye, baby, brown bear, grandpa - and I think we might have heard a purposeful mommy tonight.

With the weather getting warmer Ralph has become a fan of going for stroller rides wearing his hat and sunglasses. He has tried sitting on grass but isn't quite sure about it yet.

The transition at daycare was a little rough but is getting better. Ralph became so attached to his first provider I don't know how the transition could have been smooth. I think everyone in the center - especially those that substituted in his room - knew how attached Ralph was. I love that they had such a close bond; it made leaving him everyday that much easier though it has made the last couple of weeks a little rough.