14 Months Up Close & Personal

Oliver turned 14 months old this weekend. Don’t know where one stops counting in months and begins counting in years, but for some reason it doesn’t feel like we’ve arrived there just yet. And, though it may be early, he’s definitely embracing toddlerdom in a Big, Big Way. Perhaps it is because he began walking so early? Whatever the cause, he gets a mischievious look in his eye, then wham! Watch out. Definitely from the mother's genes, that behavior...

For example, he’s already mastered spaghetti legs and the artfully arched back whenever you attempt to restrain him. But, to maintain balance in his life, at other times he also enjoys going completely stiff, flexing every muscle in his body all at once. With a crazed look in his eyes, he’ll maintain this pose for about 5 seconds then go about his business as if we hadn’t just had a visitation.

And poor Bella the Bulldog should get an award for bravery and patience since Olie constantly beats on her while also shrieking and/or growling (to be fair, Bella often growls as well). We’ve had to get a second gate to keep the two separate. Oliver is even practicing tantrums now, jumping up and down, stomping, and whining when things aren’t going his way. He’s clearly talented, but doesn’t yet take them seriously though it is only a matter of time. In short, we’ve arrived at the Onerous One’s, first cousin to the Terrible Two’s.

And yet there are many positive developments, too. Oliver has come to love kitty cats (Oddly enough, he’s not rough with cats.). If you ask “Where’s the kitty cat?” he’ll immediately search the premises. Failing to find any kitties, he will pause, hold out his hands upright, and make a high pitched noise as if to say “Beats me; where could they possibly be?” He’s also very interested in birds and squirrels. He notices both birds and squirrels all the time while walking in the parks, but he also digs the cartoon versions in his books where he points each one out as the pages turn.

He’s also trying to shake his head “yes” and “no.” The “yes” shake is particularly funny since he sticks his tongue out and doesn’t yet have the motion down so his head appears to be slipping off his shoulders at times (like a bobble-head trophy). Hmmm…what else? He loves his shoes and will go fetch them when you ask him for them and also enjoys procuring pairs of shoes for his daddy. In the mornings, he’ll hit my closet and bring me whatever pair he’s selected for me that day (and always a matching pair!) Clever, clever boy.