Last, but not least, an update for Clay

Clay gives great hugs and kisses. Last week I took Clay out of his high chair to wash him up after lunch and he was covered in applesauce and gave me a very saucy, wet kiss. My first applesauce kiss ever! I tried to dodge it a little bit, because his mouth was COVERED in it, but there was nowhere to hide! Yum ;).

I have been a little concerned, well at least aware, of Clay's language skills in the last 6 months. He was only saying about 4 or 5 words consistently by 18 months. Some words he previously said he stopped saying too. I know this is probably just normal, but I wasn't sure. Since I have heard it's important to catch speech delays early I wanted to just be aware of his progress--or lack thereof. So he was tested to see if he qualified for speech therapy. His scores were not low enough  for him to qualify; which is good news.

I have tried to spend extra time helping him to learn and grow in the language department--reading books, singing songs, going to story time at the library, and talking to him all day long! Since 6 months ago his language has improved. He has spoken several new words--"mom"(my personal favorite) , "bow", "hi", "beah" (bear), "bay" (baby), "dow" (down), "dat" (that), "nigh-nigh" (night-night), "na" (nap),"ha" (hat), "Uuuu" (up), "oooo" (moo), "quack", "uh-hu", and "mine!" When I tell him "I love you" he will respond with "mom-mom" so maybe that means "I love you mom." He is also starting to put two words together, not very often, but sometimes, "nigh-nigh" "daa-don" (all done) "bye-bye" (bye-bye), and just very recently "I some!" (I want some) which he always says VERY emphatically! And just today for the first time he said, "Dat mine!" Sounds like something a 23 month old would say!

Each day right after lunch, before nap I try to sit down and color with him. We get out markers or crayons, a blank paper or coloring book, and we scribble/draw on the paper together. I also get out little stickers for him to use. I am hoping this activity will help him to continue to develop his fine motor skills. After that we read books before he takes his nap. Last week while Hailey was at preschool we even got out the play dough. He loved it! Again, totally awesome for developing his fine motor skills. As you can see, I go around thinking like a pre-school teacher these days.

Watching Miles and Hailey do swimming lessons (March). 

Clay loves ring-around-the rosie and other movement songs. These have been a great way to play with him. He's pretty good at "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." He loves to be chased too. I can take him outside now that it's warmer and he will start running in the grass and look back at me and say "mom!" then start running again. He want's to be chased.

(February) The puddles in the backyard are gone now, but boy were they fun while they lasted! There was some SERIOUS puddle jumping going on for a while there! I honestly don't mind. Maybe I should. You be the judge :). 

Clay loves hats! He often wears a hat around the house and asks for a hat when we go outside.

I made this hat for Miles using my knitting loom :). Clay has a green one I made for him, be he borrows everybody's hats.

He also loves his favorite blankie! He likes me to swaddle him before nap time too--still! He requests it! He enjoys it when I sing him a song right before I put him in his crib for nap time.

He is into throwing balls these days. It is so fun and cute to sit down and play catch with him. Recently he put his arms out when Joey was throwing to him and accidentally caught the ball and his eyes lite up and he was so happy! Totally cute!

We all love Clay so much! He brings so much happiness to our house!