Big Boy Bryce

This stage of development is so much fun. I love watching as Bryce develops and demonstrates his unique personality. He's proving to be loving, persistent, and charming. Here are a few recent Bryce highlights:
* I've realized that I definitely like it when my kids can communicate, even if just a little. A week or so ago I started a list of words and signs Bryce knows and uses consistently. My list got to 20 signs and about the same number of words (some words, like "please" or "hot" are on both lists). Most of his spoken words are still breathy and only understandable if you're familiar with them, but it's tremendous progress and makes my life sooooo much easier. It's extra cute when he calls Aubree - "Au-boo!" His receptive language skills are great! He easily follows instructions and seems to be paying careful attention when we speak to him.
* Bryce especially likes to imitate sounds. I never realized how often I "hrmpf" or "pfffff" until I started hearing my little echo. The only books I've gotten Bryce to consistently sit through involve numerous sound effects or animal noises.
* I mentioned that Bryce is persistent - it doesn't matter how many times we take something away, he always manages to track it back down. He is especially fond of pulling out the exercise mat (he's still practicing his front rolls!), Aubree's markers, and he is constantly pulling the "Today is" arrow off Aubree's calendar. It's maddening at times.
* Bryce loves, LOVES to brush his teeth. Anytime he's near the bathroom his eyes get big and he starts excitedly signing "brush teeth!"
* Perhaps he's going through an oral phase - he seems to be very interested in his mouth. A couple weeks ago we were eating lunch and I turned around to find Bryce staring at me with intense eyes and his mouth wide open. My heart dropped as my first thought was, "oh no! he's choking!" A second later he started laughing and now he loves to play the "open-my-mouth-and-show-Mom-my-food game". I'd blame his Aunt Colleen, but we haven't seen her since May so I guess he came up with it on his own.
* Bryce also likes to keep a wash cloth or bib close by when he eats so he can pat his mouth clean. It's so funny!
* Another game Bryce enjoys playing is the "throw my pacifier overboard" game. This game only occurs when he's supposed to be sleeping in his crib, since that's the only place he gets his pacifier (okay, sometimes I give it to him during sacrament meeting too - but only to maintain my sanity!). Apparently, the rules of this game suggest that it is most effective to throw the pacifier behind the crib, where it is very difficult to retrieve. When Mom comes in, shrug your shoulders innocently and ask, "where d'go?" Then stand and laugh as Mom contorts herself to try and grab the silly thing.
* With regards to Sacrament Meeting...since Mark usually leaves Sunday mornings before Bryce wakes up, the first time Bryce sees his dad is during Sacrament Meeting. And, oh boy, does Bryce ever let everyone know he sees his dad. He stands tall on my lap pointing and yelling, "Dad! Dad! DaaaaaaaD!" He repeats this performance every 20 minutes or so.
* Bryce is a lover. He still enjoys giving lots of hugs and kisses. He still gives full, open-mouthed kisses that occasionally evolve (devolve?) into bites on my cheek. He's recently decided that kids his own size are especially fun to hug. He'll walk up behind them, wrap his arms around them and hold on until they're both in a heap on the ground. That doesn't bother Bryce, but generally results in the other child (understandably) in tears and now he's got a number of kids quite scared of him. Nursery here we come!
* Bryce's favorite person to hug is Aubree. Most of the time she adores getting hugs from her brother. Unfortunately, Bryce likes to pull hair just as much as he likes to hug. Aubree's hair is particularly enticing - it's just so long and, well, accessible.