16 Months Old: Mr. Independent

Time for Owen’s monthly update! He’s learning so much lately, it’s hard to keep up with everything new from the past thirty days. He mimics, listens, and talks more than ever.

It seems like he says a new word every day: cookie, cheese, binky, etc. He likes to know what things are called. All day long, he points and asks “What’s this?” or “What’s that?” Of course, I answer and then he promptly asks me the same question again. Gotta love conversations with a toddler.

His current favorite word is “mommy”. I would be excited about this, but a) the repetition can be annoying (especially when it’s said in a whining screech) and b) he’s not really referring to me. To Owen, “mommy” means “I want”. Guess I’ve been giving into his demands too much. Now he calls everyone and anyone “mommy”.

Because Owen is listening and understanding better, I’ve actually been able to teach him a few things (other than the true meaning of the word “mommy”). Most recently, I taught him the word “poopie” in an effort to prepare him for potty training. And also for my own personal immaturity, because it’s pretty hilarious when he says “poopie”, giggles, and points at his butt.

Owen has forgotten about breastfeeding. Instead of pulling up my shirt, now he runs to the refrigerator and tugs unsuccessfully at the door while holding his sippy cup and demanding a refill. His manners need some work.

Owen is more affectionate than ever. He holds my hand. He likes to cuddle for no reason. He blows me kisses. On the flipside, he’s more dangerous than ever. I’m under constant assault from his toys and his teeth. Walter is always on edge, flinching and scurrying away from Owen as he roams around the house haphazardly wielding his toy bat. I have a feeling our Christmas tree ornaments are not going to fair well this season.

Typical for his age, my little man is fiercely independent. He does NOT want me to help him push the shopping cart in the grocery store. He shoves my hands off and gets quite angry. And he’d much rather push the stroller than ride in it. Too bad he’s not big enough to push me around in the stroller, because unlike Owen, I’d rather be sitting. To add some extra fun into meal time, Owen insists on feeding himself with a fork. And, yes, it’s as messy as you’re imagining.

Figuring out Owen’s favorite thing this month was easy. He’s fixated with our shoes and desperately tries to walk in them. I’ve told him that they’re some really big shoes to fill! But the size does not intimidate him. Like his Daddy, Owen enjoys a challenge. Thus, walking in giant sneakers is his current favorite activity.

16monthsneaker2

16monthsneaker6

16monthssneaker1

16monthsneaker7

16monthsneaker4

16monthsneaker8

16monthsneaker3

16monthsneaker5

16months2

16months3

16months4

16months

Owen was busy checking things off his to-do list again this month. He went trick-or-treating for the first time and loved playing with his loot.

trickortreat3

trickortreat2

trickortreat1

And our little man went into the big city! I must say that Owen was right at home in the busy streets, noise, and lights of New York. He stayed up ALL day, too fascinated by his surroundings to close his eyes.

Tickled in Times Square!
nyc

Hanging out with the wildlife in FAO Schwartz.
faoschwartz

Enjoying the lovely autumn weather in Central Park. Owen gleefully called every carriage horse a cat.
centralpark3

centralpark2

centralpark

nycskyline

Future Rockette?
radiocity

ice cream sig

One Response to 16 Months Old: Mr. Independent

Leave a Lovely

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.