Three Drake firsts in one day

Drake had a few firsts today.
1) He crawled out of his crib at the end of his nap and was in his tee-pee when our nanny went to check on him--gave her a scare to see an empty crib at first!

2) Drake drew two circles on paper, unassisted. Yes, they weren't perfect spheres, but they were circular and the ends touched neatly. I don't know that much about child development, but that seemed impressive to me. He also holds his crayon correctly when he draws/scribbles.

3) He was so naughty with hitting, kicking and throwing things following his bath tonight that I put him in a "naughty corner" for the first time ever...for 60 seconds. And, it worked! When I give him firm "no's" or even yell at him, he usually laughs back at me--it's so funny to get a rise out of mommy. But the naughty corner produced a fat lip, sad face and a hug for mommy when she released him. And, he was good the rest of the night. A new tool in my toddler defense arsenal!

Drake uses his potty! He deserves a pony.

Today was a very big day for Mr. Drake Starr. After his bath, but before his pjs, mommy noticed he was especially wriggly. She asked if he needed to go "potty" and he shook his head "yes." Mommy put him on his little potty, and, by george the kid pee'd! Mommy went nuts with praises and happy dance. Drake kinda shrugged it off as if to say, "what's the big deal?" For a few months now, we have had a potty chair out in the bathroom for Drake to sit on when he wants--usually clothed. We didn't make a big deal about it, but told him what it was. He would often sit on it while Jason or I used the big potty. I'm sure we're still a long ways from throwing out the diapers, but it was a major milestone....worthy of a pony in mommy's opinion.

The other big happening of the day is that I found out that the Animal Rescue League has an adorable painted miniature horse for adoption. The little mare was seized from a backyard in Des Moines. I all but have Jason convinced that we should adopt her for Drake. Drake and I went to visit her today and she was wonderful--very docile, smart, calm. She warmed up to Drake right away and preferred him to me or the ARL staff, it seemed. Drake fed her hay and sweet feed and she took it gently from his pudgy 1-year-old hand. That pony needs a boy and my boy needs a pony. Hooves crossed that daddy says, "yes!"

Is silence golden?

Every day Drake discovers something new in our great world and delights in it in a way only a child can. Today I took him down to the brook that runs in the trees along our back property line. He discovered many treasures including a rotten walnut shell, a smooth flat black rock that fit in his palm and a mossy stick that he held against the current in the water.
Physically, Drake has great balance and dexterity. He can run and climb as well as stack nine wooden blocks on top of each other. But, even though he is healthy, smart, sweet and funny, Jason and I can barely wait for him to start talking.
It is evident that he can hear based on his physical responses to our questions and statements. And, he knows and utilizes dozens of signs, but he only has a few words and he uses them sparingly (mom, dad, car, bath, boo). We had read that kids who sign, especially boys, often have delayed speech because they have another form of communication at their disposal. Signing, however, is supposed to put him ahead verbally in the long run. We're looking forward to knowing what our little blondie is thinking...but we suspect when he does start talking there will be times we miss our silent signer.

18 month appointment

Drake had his 18-month check-up last week. The good news is he's back on the growth charts. He's 34 3/4 inches tall and 29.3 lbs, which is the 95th and 90th percentile respectively for kids his age. For most of his life, Drake has been off the charts for height & weight. He is healthy as a horse. The bad news was he got his final round of baby vaccinations until he starts kindergarten. Shots aren't fun.

Developmental Milestones: Drake can now identify colors. During dinner at Applebees, mom and dad asked him to pick out the "orange" crayon and the "blue" crayon and were delighted to discover that he knows the difference!

Another new trick of Drake's is he loves to give high fives.

Drake Discovered Birds

After being cooped up in our little house all winter, Drake is very excited about being outside. Yesterday, we saw several robins, yeh! Drake LOVES birds. He got very frustrated as he ran toward the robins, only to have them hop and then fly away from him. He turned around with a frown and signed "More, bird." He also loves to watch the Canadian geese fly over. A huge flock of them nest in a field behind our property so he gets to see them quite a bit.

Last week Drake lobbied for the first time. I took him to the Iowa Capitol for a subcommittee meeting for a bill that would require all businesses to provide a reasonable space for breastfeeding/nursing moms. I was fortunate to have a private office to pump milk for Drake while I was working for the Animal Rescue League. But there are many women who only have a toilet stall (usually without a toilet lid) or their car--not comfortable, private or safe options!

Daddy and Drake had a "guys' afternoon" yesterday while mommy got her hair cut & went to the doctor. They hung out at the Jordan Creek Mall kids play area where Drake got into his first little scuffle with another child about whose turn it was on the slide. It was "all good," reports Daddy. There were no injuries and no tears--just a pinch and a shove.