Poxy development
Developing fast is today's main topic. It started out as simple check to look for the tell-tale signs for when to move from cot to bed, but ended up something entirely different. And all because of a virus!
We have started to wonder what the tell-tale signs are that show when Junior is ready to move from a cot to a bed, but a quick search on the old tinternet didn't thrown back any meaningful results. When I say a quick search, I mean I never get beyond the first page of results, and then only look at the small extracts and judge on them. I'm probably in the vast majority in that regard.
What I did find, however, was a development milestone chart at babycentre.co.uk for toddlers aged 13-18 months.
Before I start I have to say it was late in the evening when I found this, I was tired, so the first look wasn't through what I'd call a pair of normal eyes. So when I saw it again and felt the same confusion, then I had to admit I thought the milestones were a load of old tosh.
The chart there is obviously geared up so kids will move from left to right, ie easy on the left, difficult on the right. Either we have a freak of nature living with us, or this chart is way out west. Yes, it's only a "guide", but, and here it is, anyone who is taking it as gospel would be instantly worried. So what are we way behind on? Some of the "easy" stuff - 2 words at 13 months we didn't meet. Brushes teeth with help at 18months - sorry, he was doing it on his own from around 14 months, so way ahead there. 17 months a handful of words regularly (easy), again we're way behind, but out in front when it comes to the difficult ball throwing & taking things apart and putting back together.
So, confining this to the "take no notice" pile, the attention was distracted when he burst out with chickenpox on Monday. I had to pick him up from nursery, he'll be off until his "unclean" status passes. MOTS was out last night, hearing that he's a celebrity among nursery mums who all now know he has the pox. I'll make it clear he IS available for chickenpox parties, we have been asked and the rates are very reasonable!
At nursery I had it confirmed that lunch is sat at a table (the one he was at when I picked him up). Which given the short time he's been in there it's been great to see a change, even if it does mean retiring expensive products early. That being the high-chair. He will not entertain it now, he has to be a big boy and sit at the breakfast bar with us or on his own table (with us).
As I picked up him from nursery he was met with "show Daddy your tummy" to show me the spots. He pointed straight at it. He knows his tummy! Body part number 1! Our "bye byes" are starting, and we have a very definite "baw" for ball. And balloon, they are pretty much the same thing anyway.
The comprehension is so far ahead of the communication though. He's got some nice routines on the go, which really help in a morning. I have dressing duties, which have gradually got easier and easier - as a limp baby it was a doddle, then movement started and it was a struggle, now understanding is there it's easy peasy lemon squeezy again. Trousers were first some time ago, feet being lifted to step in. Arms followed for t-shirts and the like, now it's head down too. And when the socks don't go on after the trousers we know about it. And after socks it's shoes. This morning we were running slower because we didn't have to go out, so as I got his bottle ready he brought in his shoes for me - but my socks are on.... After shoes he points to his jacket (helps with arms too) and once on he's jangling the keys in the door to get out. Nice routine after this - "where do we go?" results in pointing to his car seat from the drive, once strapped in he'll give me a kiss. MOTS has seen very little of this, I now take it for granted. But then there's stuff I don't see which she sees regularly - the waiting at the chair for the morning bottle is one.
Our firm favourite at the moment is "where's xxxxx" and "where does it go". xxxxx being "puppy" or "ball", ball will get a "baw" in response along with a point and fetch, puppy, being his bed partner, is always locatable, no matter where he was left. "Where does it go" is for anything he has a hold of, and that's his cue to put it back. And it's almost always spot on, even if once it's back in its home it gets lifted again! Can't win them all I suppose.
Yeah, so, chickenpox. Not that he's noticed. Hasn't been troubled by the spots at all so far, but then they haven't scabbed over yet.
We never did find the tell-tale signs for bed readiness. I guess things developed so quickly this last week or so it got left behind.
