21 months old

Lincoln is now 21 months old.  He is in full-fledged copycat mode.  Sometimes it's funny (like when Austin is doing his P90X workout).  Sometimes it's annoying (at one point Emily wanted to make a list of all the things Lincoln could do besides what she was doing).  Sometimes it's bordering on dangerous (on more than one occasion I've caught him hauling my hairdryer out of the drawer, unplugging the nightlight in the bathroom and attempting to plug the hairdryer in just like I do every morning).  Sometimes it's actually helpful (Lincoln had refused to sit in the chair for a picture all day until Emily sat down in the chair for 2 seconds.  All of the sudden that's all he wanted to do.).

The biggest copycat example also corresponds with his only new word this month: "poddy" (potty).  Ever since he showed interest that one day, he has been sitting on the toilet at least once a day--usually before & after bathtime when he's undressed anyway.  He thinks he's pretty hot stuff even if he is sitting on a pink Dora potty seat on a peach toilet.  (I don't think he'll be scarred too badly.)  He loves to rip off pieces of toilet paper, wipe his back and front multiple times and then flush.  The only thing left is the minor detail of actually going potty.  I'm pretty sure he has no idea what is really supposed to happen.  But I figure if you humor him long enough you'll eventually get lucky, and he'll be able to start making the connection. 

Lincoln has had a bit of a rough time the last week.  His 4th molar and at least one eye tooth came through.  He has developed a hacking cough--mostly when lying down in his crib.  One day he tripped on something and must have twisted his ankle, because he kind of hobbled around on it for two days.  He has eaten very little--which is very typical when he's teething.  This all adds up to one big bundle of joy. :op

When Lincoln actually is eating he has expanded his fruit repertoire quite a bit this month.  Although he still loves his grapes, he also really likes clementines.  This was a very welcome change considering how unaffordable grapes were earlier this month and the fact that it is peak citrus season.  The other joy Lincoln discovered this month is ketchup.  He loves dipping things in ketchup.  If we go to McDonald's he probably dips and licks off the ketchup on a french fry a couple times for each bite he actually takes.

Before the ankle incident last week, Lincoln had pretty much figured out jumping.  He has also perfected break-your-heart eyelash batting to try and get his way sometimes.

Another skill he is working on is simple board puzzles.  I posted a video last month of his first attempts.  Unfortunately, the really nice chunky animal puzzle from Melissa & Doug in the video is pretty much out of circulation.  One day all the pieces mysteriously disappeared.  After awhile we discovered that Lincoln had shoved them into the opening of the base board radiators, and they have fallen behind the covers.  There is no fire danger because it's a closed hot water heat system.  However, the only way to retrieve the pieces would be to move the entire computer desk and two full filing cabinets, remove the entire radiator cover and pull them out.  That's not going to happen anytime soon.   The only one we were able to rescue was the elephant. :o(  Silly little boy!