23 Months

I wish time could slow down, just a bit.  I can't believe we are one month away from celebrating Ryne's second birthday!  This second year has definitely gone by much more quickly than the first.  I am having a hard time deciding the theme for his birthday party this year, since he seems to like a few different things right now.  It's a toss up between, trains, Horton Hears a Who and Elmo!

Stats:

Weight:  25lbs 5 oz.  He's gained a little over 2lbs in 5 months.  That's not great, but with his metabolism and energy level, I'm surprised he's even gained that much.

Language Development:  Ryne is starting to use his words again!  He's demonstrating more and more everyday and picking up more words everyday!  Such a relief!  He also started saying "I love you!"  I've waited 23 months to hear him say it, and it's the most precious thing...even if he just says "I love you Daddy."    Interestingly enough, I mentioned to a friend of ours (a PT) that Ryne had a few months of what seemed to be language regression, and she asked if Ryne had started developing his fine motor skills more recently.  I told her, "yes" and she said that when she worked at Children's Hospital, many of her patients not only had physical therapy, but occupational therapy and speech therapy as well.  She said that they found that most kids would improve in one area and regress or come to a developmental standstill in the other areas.  I guess that may very well be the case with Ryne.

Arts and Crafts:  As I mentioned above, Ryne has definitely developed some fine motor skills.  He is REALLY into art right now.  He has two dry erase books that he likes to "paint" on.  He has also been known to paint my walls and the table with the dry erase marker.  Adam has hidden the crayons from Ryne (and me) so his art activities have been limited at home to dry erase markers, and sidewalk chalk mostly.  Ryne also does crafts weekly at Mornings with Mommy.  He gets to actually paint there and use markers and crayons and glue, which is hard to do in our house since we don't have a good play area.

Pool Time:  Ryne loves the pool!  He kicks very well, and will jump in occasionally.  However, he will not blow bubbles in the water - above the water, but not in it!  So we are working on bubbles and next we will tackle arms!  Adam and I really want Ryne to be able to swim on his own to some extent by the time he turns 3.  I know that sounds a little young, but I've seen it happen before and we think it's really important to learn when you're young.  We don't let Ryne use floaties/swimmies/whatever you want to call the arm float things.  We don't want him to become dependent on something like that.  We've seen too many accidents, even in our own neighborhood pool with flotation devices not working well.

As for everything else related to Ryne.  He is doing well.  He is sleeping in his toddler bed well.  Potty training stopped during the toddler bed transition time, but is starting to pick up again.  Ryne spends most of his time outside!  It's so hot, but he loves it.  He is still as "busy" as ever.  When other parents of toddlers tell you that you're kid is "busy," you know it's serious!  He just doesn't stop going!