GROWTH

Weight: 28 lbs 6 oz
Height: 31.5"
Clothing size: 18 months
Shoe size: 6
Diaper size: 4
Teeth: 11

FIRSTS

Hayrack ride

HIGHLIGHTS

Halloween

LOVES

Books
His belly button
Apples + applesauce
Blowing raspberries
Puppies
Stairs
Animal sounds
Being chased
Pretending to drive the car

DISLIKES

Getting in his car seat
Getting dropped off at the church nursery

FUNNY GUY

Finch continues to make us laugh, even when he's not trying. We caught him walking around the house wearing my bra around one of his shoulders, and climbing onto shelves at daycare:

SMARTY

I love this age --- he is learning so many new things every week.

He knows which shoes belong to who, and likes to bring them to you
He picks out his own shoes every day - usually his Nikes
Shakes and nods his head to tell us "yes" and "no"
Waves goodbye
Interested in learning body parts, although he can only say "eye"

NURSING

We are still nursing! Usually once a day, sometimes two, sometimes five. We are taking the "Don't Offer, Don't Refuse" approach to weaning. I don't offer, but if he asks for it (by pointing to the couch or bed where we nurse), I will nurse him. He always asks when he wakes up in the morning and after nap, and sometimes at night if he's overtired. I find our morning feeds help us both ease into our day. If I am not there when he wakes up, though, he does fine without me. Eric puts him to bed most nights and has taken more of a role in comforting him, which has been wonderful and definitely a reason I feel like I can continue on. It has been less demanding and it is rare if he needs me during the night.

I actually feel like he's become even more attached to nursing in the past month, compared to last month, or maybe it's just that his communication is improving and I notice him asking more. I don't see him weaning anytime soon, ...I think we will go through the winter for sure...but I find myself wondering how and when it will end. We are both still enjoying it, but I think Finch likes it a little more than I do. :-) I am especially thankful for nursing during times of sickness or crankiness. I did have some pain this month (blanching/vasospasms), but luckily it cleared up in a couple days.

Of course, there are times when I do have to refuse (if we are about to leave for school, mostly). I also do not wear a nursing bra unless I'm home with him, so that has limited us a bit. While he nurses he often "talks" to me in grunts and hums...it is definitely our special language and time together.

SLEEPING

He is sleeping 12 hours a night! He goes to bed around 6:00 pm and gets up around 6:00 am. He takes one nap a day for about 1-1.5 hours. I am very thankful that he has turned into a good sleeper.

HEALTH

He goes to the chiropractor once a month
Had a yeast infection in his diaper area
Had a fever
Had a viral rash

WORDS

Nom nom
Nigh nigh
Mama
Dada
Sss (sister)
Eye
Cracker
Oh
Whassat?
Uh oh
Hi
Dog
Book
Bubble
Bye
Duh (water)

SIGNS

Please
More

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

Christmas!

Finch, 17 months