Likes: See-saw rides at the playground (still), using the (closed) toilet cover as a drum, learning about how gravity works
Dislikes: teething, having his teeth brushed, wearing a bib until finished eating

What a year it has been! As Johan graduates out of infanthood and into toddlerhood, we are reflecting not only on the changes of the past month, but also of the past year. And we are excited for what the future will bring!

The biggest change in Johan’s life this past month (even bigger than the fact that as of today, he’s allowed to eat honey) was that he moved into his own room. It did take him a couple of days to adjust and start enjoying the new space. Now, he’ll sometimes crawl into the new room ahead of mommy or daddy, giggling as he goes, which we are interpreting as a sign that he is enjoying having his own space. He can spread books and toys all over the floor as much as we wants! (You know, as though he didn’t already do that in the living room, kitchen, etc…) His parents are also excited to have their room to themselves again so that they can…fold laundry and put it away slightly more promptly.

Speaking of spreading toys all around the house, one of his current favorite activities is dropping toys out of his pack and play or crib and then wondering where they went (this also extends to food on his high chair tray, which makes a bigger mess than plastic rings do). Another new favorite is putting toys on the kitchen counter, which is barely within reach of the pack and play, and then taking them down again. A third favorite “game” is taking any two toys and banging them together to see what noise they make.

Johan is gaining confidence in his standing and cruising abilities as well. Last week, he climbed up four stairs (with very close spotting by mommy,) but then realized he wasn’t confident enough to get down and therefore has yet to replicate the feat. Yesterday, he climbed up one stair and then succesfully got himself back down again too! He has also been participating in an outdoor music class in Arlington with his cousin Ella. His favorite music class activities are shaking his shakers and playing peek-a-boo with the scarves, but he also likes to try to eat sticks and acorns, steal Ella’s instruments, poke her face, and crawl around.

Just like his daddy did in 1987, Johan is celebrating his first birthday on Shavuot. As a result of this calendar confluence and in order to accommodate the schedules of Johan’s grandparents and other relatives, the birthday celebration is being extended in to June! This will likely include some additional posts with our perspectives on our first year of parenting that we hope to make in the coming days, after the holiday.