14 months

Well Xav has officially been a one year old for 2 months. Babyhood just seems a distant memory as my little boy gains more and more toddler traits. We are at the cute age of toddler hood, not deliberately naughty but still manages to get into plenty of mischief. People are always commenting on how "busy" he is, which basically translates to "what a little terror!!" Its just that he is constantly on the go, only stopping to sleep and eat. The rest of the time he is go, go, go. He is just what I imagined a little boy to be like, cheeky as anything, but oh so lovable.

He seems to have crammed so much into this last 2 months, every day he is surprising us.

He is getting so animated and vocal with his wants. He marches up to either Duane or I, thrusts his arms up to us, rubs his fingers together and says, "Um, Um, Um" , which we have taken to mean up. Its just so cute and funny when he does it, we can't resist scooping him up for a squishy cuddle.

The clicking of the fingers has evolved to mean many things now. It can mean more food, over there, pass me that and pick me up. It's funny how out of nowhere he has created his own little sign language that works. When he comes into our bed for his morning (or midnight!) feast he just lays down, taps me on the shoulder, rubs his fingers together all the while saying, "Hmm,Hmmm,Hmmm" Lucky I still think him demanding things is cute, I'm sure that will end soon though.

~~Xav clicking his fingers for service~~

Xav is starting to follow instructions, he actually amazes me with this one. I can tell him to get his water, or shoes, or book and he does it. He is also happy to play my personal slave and take things to Grace or Daddy, always insisting that they say "Ta". If he desperately wants something he will stand there reaching for it saying, "Ta, Ta, Ta" over and over again until he has what he wants. He often does this in the back of the car, insisting that Grace pass him whatever toy she has chosen to play with.

When I say that it is breakfast time he rushes to the cupboard and waits until I get the weetbix out. He then marches over to the fridge and bangs on the door, making sure that I remember the fruit and milk that goes on his breakfast. As I am serving out the two-fruits into each bowl I have 2 seagulls below me squawking for a piece. After it is all served up Xav runs over to the high chair bellowing to be put in.

Xav enjoys his food, gobbling up most things put in front of him. He eats all the same meals as us and is getting better at feeding himself with a spoon or fork. I watch his little mind concentrate so hard as he stabs the food onto the fork, then glides it into his mouth. After a while he gets sick of all the effort and resort back to his hands though.

My dear sweet little boy picked me my first flower yesterday. Oh, my heart just melted when I realised what he had done. I was outside weeding the lawn and the kids were pottering around the yard. I heard Xav behind me yelling out, "Ta, Ta, Ta" and there he was chubby hand outstretched to me and he passed me a flower (err, weed) that he had picked from the garden. I thought it might have been a fluke, but he did it over and over and over again. Each time I felt my heart skip a beat, this was my son's first act of chivalry. It also gave me a glimpse into the future and the realisation that one day my beautiful Xav will be picking flowers for another woman.

Grace has also taught him how to yell "Stop" whilst holding his hands out in a stop sign. We had taught her to do this if anyone was hurting her, so it's kinda ironic that he will no doubt have to use this on Grace at some time! He manages to hold a straight face, just long enough to get his point across then he collapses into a giggling heap.

He can now say Daisy (very clearly), Lily, Mama, Dad, Ta, Who's 'dat?, What is it?, 'acey (Gracey), 'avier (I think is Xavier), kick (as he kicks the ball around) and Nan. He only started saying Nan consistently a few days before we left Tas, but that's all the little stinker is saying now.

If you ask him he can point to his head and belly. If I sing "Round and Round the garden" He immediately starts tracing his pointer finger around his pudgy palm.

~~My sweet boy~~

Xav can chuck an award winning tantrum. We have had some beauties over the last few months. Full on screaming, yelling, thrashing and even some fine head banging moments. They usually start when something that Xav wants has been taken from him. Goodness know what he has in store for when he turns 2, please don't let these tantrums be the tame ones!

He seems to have gotten over his clingy phase. Quite the opposite in fact. Now he would rather be away from me, running in the opposite direction preferably. Any chance he gets he bolts from me, looking back briefly to giggle.

I love this age. He has so much personality and is just so adorable. He certainly keeps me on my toes but I wouldn't want him any other way.