Dexter is 13 Months Old!

Yeah, it's not as momentous as the first 12, but still exciting, as he's growing fast and learning new things every day.  He has TWO signs now ("more" and "eat" - both of which really mean "eat") and is very effective at communicating his desire for food. He eats A TON (often, 4 meals a day, plus snacks) but is still so busy busy busy that he isn't gaining any weight. (In fact, by our latest at-home calculations, he may have lost a couple of pounds. We're doing our best to pack them back on.)

He has quite the range of favorite foods, including:

• bananas (Today, for example, he had three. THREE whole bananas. On top of his other food.)
• oranges (regular or mandarin)
• cantaloupe
• grapes
• cinnamon rolls
• breakfast sausage
• pizza
• whatever you're eating, even if it's the same thing he has on his tray

He's doing better and better with his fork and tries hard with his spoon.  He is becoming a master of the shape sorter - easily rotates the shapes to go through the holes but hasn't quite yet figured out to switch holes if persistence doesn't pay off.

If you ask where it is, he will point to his tummy. :)  He has also finds his Mom's (9-months pregnant) tummy to be quite fascinating.

Two new teeth popped through this week (#s 9 and 10), finally!  They are his first molars (on top) - he seems to have skipped the canines for the moment - apparently this is typical - but we can see them up there.

He still LOVES to play outside.

He still has no words. We've resolved not to panic about this unless he hits 15 months with no words.

All in all, he's still a pretty happy kid.  His nap patterns could be a little better (he sleeps for maybe 45 mins - 1 hour at daycare and is exhausted by the time he gets home), but he still (usually) manages to find a little energy to play peek-a-boo and tickling games before bed.

Here's hoping none of that changes once he loses his title as sole ruler of the house in just a few short weeks.