Pretend Play

Andrew has started pretending! I didn't think that started until earlier. Last weekend, when he was in his stroller, he clearly mimicked picking up a cheerio from his cup, handing it to Jim, and then eating it. Then he kept looking over at a nearby girl. It took me a minute, but I realized that she had cheerios, and another minute to realize that he probably wanted some. Luckily, Jim had packed some for him, just in case, and, sure enough, he gobbled some up.

Then, this morning, he pretended to pick up something from a clearly empty surface, pretended to give it to me, and then pretended to put it in his mouth. Then he just giggled like he had invented the game.

He has also started a new game, all on his own, where he stands behind me and tries to push me over. I let him, and then I push back. Giggles again! You can just see how he feels so strong that he can push an adult. It's all in fun.

Have I also mentioned that we've figured out how to handle it when he hits? First, I distract him by playing high five. It gives him an invitation to hit in a playful, acceptable way. We'll congratulate him for a successful high five, and he'll grin. Then, I rub him gently, on the back or leg, and say, "be gentle". Sure enough, he'll start rubbing instead of hitting. It even works across the room, if he starts hitting one of the dogs. We'll say to be gentle and he'll start rubbing them instead.

Is it weird that I just love the toddler stage? Yes, the constant crying can be annoying, but, well, his tantrums are almost funny. That sounds heartless, I know, but I can just see the wheels turning in his head. Like, the other day, when he really wanted to put some toy coins in a toy bank. He'd give the coin to me, then grab it and try to put it in himself. Sometimes he could, and sometimes not. He'd get so excited when he could and just collapse in despair when he couldn't. He's never been as cute as he is now. At least now I know what he wants, and he still recovers quickly and goes back to being his sunny self. I love that he's starting to have a mind of his own, and he's more fun than ever.