13 months!

Well...Ryan is technically 13 and a half months...but to say 14 months sounds crazy, so I'm sticking to 13 months for now. I cannot say it enough: each stage soon becomes 'the best.' I am LOVING my busy little man right now and all of his little antics. He is now officially a walker...and he is one proud walker at that! As he walks up and down our hallway, he claps for himself and is all smiles. He is getting better and turning he can walk from one side of our house to the other. He is working on figuring out how to get up from a sitting position, but he usually pulls himself up on something and then goes! :) I know this pic is a bit fuzzy, but this kind of captures his expression when walking:

We have also had quite a few adventures outside lately. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous, and so we get out as much as we can. Our favorites are going to Sea Port Village, walking around and playing on the grass. Ryan LOVES exploring, and this is him just taking a look around. I am definitely in the 'chasing after' stage. :) 

We also have been having a lot of 'zoo' days. For Ryan's birthday, his Grandpa and Grandma Ekk bought us San Diego Zoo passes. We are definitely getting some great use out of them! Ryan loves the petting zoo and lights up when he sees the animals. Also, it is a great 'outing' for us, especially because it doesn't cost us a cent. We have already been 5 times and still see new things...it's a great place, and we love it! 

Some other things that are so fun right now: He still LOVES books. He loves to sit and flip through them and now he brings them to me, sits on my lap and we read. He points to birds and balls in the books, and loves the purple cat from the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." I it when he is curled up with me and we explore the wonder of words and pictures together. It makes my heart melt. 

Reading his Bible :) 

Ryan also loves stuffed animals: and he especially loves Umbrella (Jason's bear from when he was little)  and Lady Bug pillow pet from his sweet Oma. He hugs them, and loves to give kisses. It's so sweet. Here's Ryan giving Umbrella a hug. 

Here are some other fun things about him right now: 

-He is also becoming very vocal. He tries to say a lot of words that we do. He still calls a lot of things 'ba'...but I am learning a lot of his body language and what he is trying to tell me. He signs 'all done' and 'more', and we are working on please and thank you. :) 

He loves to be outside and now points at birds and airplanes. There are times when he sits at the window and waits for birds to come by, and he always makes sure I know they are there. 

-He LOVES to eat...sometimes I feel he eats all day. He loves fruits, cheese, most veggies, fish, and fish crackers. He also FINALLY fully drinks from a straw sippy himself. :) We have introduced milk, but he's not a fan so far. 

-Still nursing, but now only about 3 times a day: morning, nap and bedtime. 

-Still loves playing with and chasing Layla. 

-Is becoming more friendly with strangers. 

Love this sweet boy. Thankful for the gift that God has given us, praying that we will have to the wisdom to train him in the ways of the Lord. Loving the journey.