16 Month Update

Things keep getting away from me!  I have a 14 month update post that is sitting in limbo because I can't figure out how to get the pictures arranged to my satisfaction.  But since I am in a quiet dark house, I'm going to joy down some thoughts about new developments that seem to be unfolding daily.

The last few mornings when we've brought Banjo into bed with us to snuggle and breastfeed, she's wanted her doll baby to "nurse" from the other side.  She holds the doll's face up to my shirt and pats the back of her head.  Who needs to buy a special breastfeeding doll for $50?  She's a year old and she is on her way to imaginary parenting already.

Stacking blocks and knocking them down has become a popular activity.  To tell me that she wants to play with blocks, Banjo crashes her hands together and yells "Ba!"

It seems that some sort of switch has turned on with her verbal language.  Even though much of it is unintelligible, she is now willing to attempt words after we prompt her.  "Say bye!"  "buh."  (double-dimple grin)  She's using two-syllable words but they're kind of sing-song.  Dog-gie, Dad-die, Mom-mie.

We just returned from our first Mariners game since her birth.  Not only was she surprisingly happy to stay in the stands, she actually watched as we pointed out the pitcher ("the man on the dirt circle") and the tiny white ball.  She watched a lot of the game play, but was much more excited by the continual airliners passing over the stadium and the seagulls cruising above the seats.  Grandparents and an Aunt joined us at the game; she enjoyed taking turns on laps and eating all kinds of tasty treats.  Our guys lost.  But Banjo looked cute in her rally cap during the 9th inning!

Blanket attachment is at its most extreme.  I had to launder it a few days ago; the smell of stale pee seems to creep in over the course of a week.  She cried and cried, but a walk to the mailbox proved a good distraction.  I've taught her the sign for "wait" and she understands that a delay is imminent.  The length of the dryer cycle is still a loooooooong time for her, however.  She kept signing "blanket" and "wait" and whimpering.  When that buzzer indicated the end of the dryer cycle, there was much rejoicing.

The blanket stays at home, for the most part.  On very sad days, it is allowed in the car with us but never out. When she's playing it is puddled on the floor, but she checks on it at least once an hour.

Banjo is beginning to get the climbing urge.  She simply cannot resist a box on the floor, a stepstool near the tub, or a set of stairs.  Child sized chairs too.  Its so cute and yet so scary for me, the mommy!