Cooper 14 Months

Cooper turned 14 months old on Thanksgiving Day. In the last month he has...

• Learned to say a few more words. A few days ago he and I were playing with two toys. He picked one up, pointed to the other one on the floor, babbled a few sounds, and then said..."other one" clear as a bell. Every so often he'll repeat a word like light, fan, or pretty (which is what we call something he's supposed to only look at and not touch--like the Christmas tree). But his favorite word continues to be, "Naaaaaaaoh!" (No.)
• He discovered his belly button, and will suddenly come up to you and lift your shirt to search for yours. So if you visit him in the near future, I suggest you keep your shirt tucked in!
• He has developed an obsession with light switches. The picture below shows my exercise step he has turned into HIS own personal step to reach all light switches in sight. The other day Nathan moved the step back to it's appropriate storage place, and put it upside down in an effort to deter Coop from using it for some precarious adventure. Cooper promptly toddled over, picked up the step, flipped it over, and carried it to this his favorite spot in the kitchen where there are THREE light switches in one place!

• Cooper has also developed a real love for his toys, especially his stuffed animals. At night he likes to sleep with at least three: his Monkey, his Dog, and his Sea Horse. Lately he's added a fourth--a frog. I think he'd ask for more if he could carry them. I only allow in his bed the number of stuffed animals he can carry in his arms at one time. Otherwise the poor kid would have no place to sleep! A few of his other recent pastimes are playing with cars, reading books, playing in his tunnel, and using his scooter to climb onto things.

Cooper with his sleep time Dog, and his Snoopy Dog, another of his beloved stuffed animal toys.

• Cooper continues to love to dance. He has a toy that plays lots of different songs. He has learned which songs are his favorite, and will push the button until he finds the one he wants. Nathan and I were surprised to see him do this; neither of us taught him how on purpose. He is very observant!
• His other favorite thing to do is take things apart. Most recent casualty: my black pepper grinder. Took it apart. Completely broke it. Was mad I wouldn't put it back together so he could take it apart again.
• On that note, Cooper has learned to throw kicking, screaming, complete melt down fits on the floor. He's also learned the trick of going completely limp, which makes it nearly impossible to hold him during a fit.
• Due to the latter, he has experienced his first timeouts (about 10 seconds each), and has learned to say he's sorry afterward by giving a hug. For Cooper, an "I'm sorry" hug differs from a regular hug by the patting of the hands on your shoulder/back. Regular hugs are tight squeezes. Melts my heart every time.

Can you believe this adorable little stinker throws such fits?

• He thinks the phrase "I love you" means he's supposed to give you a kiss. He's also learned to blow a kiss, but it's more like just smacking his lips from across the room at you.

That's my Little Boo.

Edited to add: By the way, that's MY beanie he's wearing in that picture. His head is so big that small adult hats fit him. Like father, like son. Just means he has room for lotsa smarts. :o)