16th month update!

16 months, man how time flies! This time last year, I was just starting back at work, the breast pump was out in full effect, and you were not even eating solids yet. My what a difference a year makes.
This past month you've really made some tremendous leaps developmentally. You have mastered the art of walking, and now want to run everywhere. We knew you could do it, but it is nice to finally be able to say "yes, he's walking" to concerned strangers who need to know if you are hitting your milestones.
You are also talking up a storm. You pick up new words everyday, and repeat everything that we say. Note to mama and papa: stop swearing. Seriously, you are such a little parrot, it's incredible to watch how quickly you pick up new words and then use them later in a totally different setting, like a real person or something!
That is something else that is developing at lightning speed, your personality. You've discovered the word no, and how to use it. It's you favorite. Whatever it is that we want you to do, or to have, or to share, the answer is inevitably no. You're favorite new game is "psych". You act like you are handing over what ever prohibited item you've gotten your chubby little hands on, and then when it's in a finger's tip reach, you yank it back and say "NO". Cute the first couple times, not so much when it's the 500th time I've asked for the blow torch back. (Just kidding, it's still cute) The other thing that you've started that's less then charming, is fighting over your books with your primas. You are very good about sharing your toys, and don't make a fuss when the girls yank a toy from right out of your hands. Where your possessive side comes out is during story time. You push, and kick and yell NO, NO, NO! when the twins try and even sit next to you when someone is reading you a story. If they go and get another book for someone else to read, you run over to them and steal the book away. It doesn't matter which book it is, you want them all, and don't want anyone else to catch even a glimpse. Like I said, less than charming, but we're still a work in progress, right?
I almost don't want to write it out, but you're sleeping has gotten to the point where it's really not worth talking about anymore. It's almost as if I don't have an excuse to sleep in and make Daddy take you in the morning. I could get up myself and maybe go work out? Um, maybe not. ( psst: don't tell Daddy I said that.)
This month we had a real adventure with our trip to Paraguay. I will write out a detailed summary of everything we did, who we met, and where we went this week, because I want to be able to remember your first trip, and want you to someday read it too. Overall, you had a terrific time, met so many people who adored you from the moment they saw you, and cemented your love of turtles.
The fun didn't stop in Paraguay though, and this past week you had a wonderful time with Grandma and Farfar, hung out with the primas at the aquarium (you LOVE the peces, and could've stayed there for hours more, just watching the fish swim in front of you, it was great) and the zoo, and got such a hideous cold, that I fear we will all be paying for our fun times with the next few days of misery. You are currently asleep after serious vap-o-rub intervention, steam room lounging, and a long scream-fest where only mama would do, papa got the straight arm and a dose of NO NO NO! Oh well, it does feel good to be wanted.
Love,
Mama