Changes

I survived my first entire week without seeing Otto last week.  It was a strange experience since I usually see him everyday or at least several times a week.  I missed him and it was great to have him back at Gram's Daycare on Monday.  I've noticed quite a few changes in our boy that shows he's growing and learning at a healthy rate!

Word/Object Association:

Otti is definitely making associations with names and objects.  Say, "Where is the baby?" He goes and gets the dolly from the bin and gives it a slobbery kiss.  Momma's phone rings, he says, "dada."  (They do a lot of FaceTime with Daddy when he's in Indiana).  "Puppies?" Searches for Lily and Nyko, closes his eyes and sticks his tongue out for a kiss (I call him 'Jungle Boy' because he has two animal friends and he crawls around with a small dog ball in his mouth;)  

Performance:

Ot's doing some very funny things when Momma comes around.  He can be perfectly happy, then Momma comes and his eyes squint, his head tilts back and he lets out a long moan/fake cry. I give him credit, it's quite a performance!  I believe this is what they call "parent manipulation."  Unfortunately for Otti, his Momma just rolls her eyes and chuckles at him.  I get the impression that's not the affect he was going for.

Talking:

There's a lot being said, we're just not sure what he's saying;)  "Dada" remains the all time favorite word!

Laughing:

Otto is making some entertaining laughing sounds.  He is doing a very funny "hehe" to himself when he or someone else does something that cracks himself up.  Momma and I are convinced it is a sign of his future sarcasm;)

Walking:

Otto is still taking about 4 steps alone and cruising the furniture at a rapid pace but he actually now prefers that he hold your finger with at least one hand.  He has decided that it is way more fun to go fast with the aid of an adult as well as safer.  I appreciate this, because when he was letting go and taking off when he wasn't coordinated enough it was scary.  This is the brain finally saying, "Otti, you need them… slow down!"

Photos:

It is beyond a challenge to get a photo of Otto right now.  He is always moving and if he isn't, he beelines it to me as soon as he sees my phone up or a camera.  This results are incredibly close photos where he looks like one of those balloon animals floating in the Macy's Day Parade!

Naps:

Momma tells me he has now given up one of his naps.  Otti is still taking a nap around 11 at my house, but I guess the afternoon nap is history.  That makes a long afternoon for a not quite 10 month old.

Food: 

I've noticed that Otti doesn't really have a shut off valve with the food.  He'll eat and eat and eat until there isn't any left.  I'm afraid this is a genetic flaw from the Johnson side.  I can only imagine how he'll be when he finally gets to taste the goodies…cookies, cakes, etc.

Growing:

Otti continues to grow, but he is leveling on the scale.  At his 9-month checkup he was 50% ht and 60% wt.  He is now in 12-18 month clothes.

Our boy is getting so big and so fun and his personality is definitely starting to show!  Every stage of Otti is thoroughly enjoyed by all his "people" especially Gram:)