22 months

This post is late, but Henry is now 22 months old.

Stats: Henry is now in 24 month clothes (still some 18 month too) and size 6 1/2 shoes. He is starting to get taller and leaner, looking a little less like a baby and more like a little boy. I don't know where he is on the percentile charts, but he is smaller than most of the kids his age that I see at work.

Language: Henry's language is just exploding these days. He still uses one word at a time sometimes, but frequently uses 2-4 word phrases and is starting to use full sentences. He also uses many social words and phrases like "no, thank you". Henry uses a nicely varied vocabulary of verbs, modifiers, and some concept vocabulary (big, naughty, mad, sad, first, instead, in, out, on, off, backwards, upside down) in addition to labeling things. He has started using negatives ("I don't want it.") He also uses all kinds of different sentences. In the last week or so, he has started asking questions a lot. He will ask where something is ("Where is the motorcycle?"), ask people questions about themselves ("Tired, Grandpa?"), and ask about what will be happening each morning ("Mommy work today?"). Today I told him Daddy and Celia were going to work/school, and he said "No. Daddy stay home. Celia stay home." This morning we were being silly and he was putting my hair over my face, and I said it was getting messy. Henry put my hair away from my face and smoothed it down, and said "Better, Mommy?" He is such a sweet little guy. He will also say that he's sorry and give someone a hug if he hurts them. This morning he even put himself in a time out. It was adorable.

"Nana outside?"

Cognitive: Henry's pretend play is really expanding. He understands so much now, and is able to participate in almost any pretend play scheme. He comes up with a lot of things on his own now, too. And he often comes up with little pretend things, like putting a piece of tape on himself and calling it a bandaid. He likes playing with dolls and doing different things with them. He uses the play kitchen quite a bit, plays with trains and cars, and likes playing with Duplo blocks. Henry likes push toys like the lawnmower, and riding toys. He has started to have some interest in puzzles. He likes to read books now, and we read a couple before nap each day. Henry loves to be outside, playing in the yard and driveway and going for wagon rides.

Hugging Thomas.

"Baby bite plum."

Birthday party for the baby. It was Henry's idea to sit at the table with the cake.

"Cut cake."

Blurry picture, but his expression is so funny. He was trying to convince me that Izzy
had pooped, and that it wasn't him.

Social/Emotional/Behavioral: Henry is still a very social, charming little guy. He likes people, and likes going to daycare to see his little friends. He had a lovely conversation with the woman bagging our groceries at the store this morning. Henry loves Celia and wants to do everything she does. However, our biggest behavior challenges happen when Henry and Celia are together. They are equally guilty parties at driving each other nuts. Sometimes they play nicely together, but a lot of the time it's constant fighting. Henry also has quite a temper when he doesn't get something he wants, so he isn't always charming and happy. Sometimes he's quite a monster. But again, we rarely see tantrums when Celia's not around, so it's definitely related to having a rival for our attention. Henry also displays empathy for others, which seems impressive for such a young age. When someone gets hurt or is upset, he will ask if they're okay. He likes giving hugs and kisses, and is generally a sweet, happy boy. 

I would like Henry to remain a tiny little guy a while longer, but I have to admit it's awfully fun to see all the new things he can do as he gets older. I suppose I'll allow him to continue on to 23 months...