Rocco turned 21 months old today. Of course I had to take his picture in his blue chair, with a current toy that he plays with, and with him wearing a white onesie. I love looking at the monthly photos to see how much he has grown and changed over the last 9 months since we've had him. What a little man he is! And to see his little personality coming out. . . along with some daredevil courage. I'm starting to have to really watch our little explorer! Here's the latest.
1. He's very vocal. Lately we've been working more on the accuracy of his sounds. He likes to call everything "Uhh, uhh." He actually said, "More", as plain as day after I insisted and kept on pointing to my mouth and making the mmm sound when he wanted more Cheerios.
2. Rocco enjoys climbing and doing courageous tricks.
3. Daddy now puts him on his toy tractor and lets him ride down the sloped driveway (much to mommy's heart attack dismay!)
4. He loves to wrestle around on the floor and in the bed with mommy and daddy at any given time.
5. He'll let you know what he wants to do. For instance, he'll pick out a book that he wants read, pull out the bubbles from under the sink, point to the mouse when he wants to take charge at the computer, or sit down on the floor with a ball when he wants to roll it back and forth. If you're sitting down and he wants you to exercise or go somewhere, he'll grab you by the pants and urge you to come on!
6. Playing the drums and other instruments is something he really enjoys, and for 21 months old he's really good at it.
7. Recently he's really begun to like hiding. Our friends bought him a tent, and he'll go inside it, sit quietly, and smile while we wonder aloud, "Where'd Rocco go?" He also loves to hide between the book shelves, too.
8. At times he'll show an emotion of fear. The other day he was having so much fun with the Hokey Pokey Elmo when all of a sudden he decided it scared him. He ran to us and wanted to feel safe in our arms. Needless to say, we put Elmo away for a while. It's the craziest thing that he's not scared of the big bulls or horses yet a little toy crab in the tub can offset a fear response.
9. More so than ever Rocco is a little copy cat. He'll use household items in a pretend way, for example he'll get the camera and act like he's taking a picture. Whatever pose we strike or motion we do, he'll try to do it as well. From putting his hands on his cheeks to propping up against the kitchen counter, there's always two little eyes just watching our every move.
10. Rocco is a little gentleman in so many ways. He covers his mouth when he coughs, picks up items that he spills or messes up and places them where they belong, throws items in the trash, and sits so still when we need to give him a breathing treatment (Thank the Lord especially for the last one!)
11. He interacts well with other kids. He has the biggest time with Drew, and he willingly shares everything with him. They just laugh and have a big time. On Sunday afternoons, Rocco also plays well with his cousins.
12. At 21 months, Rocco can identify more than 10 body parts. When we want him to smile for the camera we just ask him,"Where's your teeth?" He also loves to take his socks off.
13. Good hygiene is not a struggle because he enjoys taking his bath, often shaking his head no when asked if he is ready to get out. During the day he'll get the toothbrush out of the bathroom drawer and want to brush. And when I brush his teeth he lets me, although sometimes he likes to bite down on the brush. He's happy as long as he can hold a toothbrush while I'm brushing him with another.
14. One way he shows love is by touching your face. When he goes to sleep, he wants his head right next to mine so that he can reach up with his sweet fingers and rub my face. He also likes to get lotion on his hands and rub it on my face, too.
15. Before he eats almost any bite, he has to point at it several times and discuss it. "Uhh, uhh." We'll tell him what it is and that he'll like it. After much talk and persuasion, he'll eat it (well. . . sometimes).
Had we not been sick, we would have had it on Christmas day. We're still not all completely well; Rocco has been on breathing treatments for mild pneumonia, I've struggled with allergies, and my dad and nana were still trying to get over their sickness. In spite of all this, we had a great time eating and opening presents.
He gradually found his way to the golf set; daddy showed him how it was done. Rocco just kept hitting the ball between his legs, more like croquet than a golf swing. The last big item Santa brought was a Black and Decker workbench. Little man impressed us with his fine motor skills as he picked up the screwdriver and tightened up the bolts. Daddy showed him how to drill out the pieces of wood in the bird feeder. Never at any time did he show any interest in the clothes Santa brought. 
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Tyler, my brother, was thrilled when Rocco started saying, "Ty." I love this photo of them enjoying the carousel. It was Rocco's first time on one and he begged to ride it more and more. 
My mom and dad enjoyed the trip as well. They were able to enjoy Rocco at this fun age. My dad taught him to say baby, and my mom had a time showing him all of the trains at the Christmas Place. Between listening to him say new words and watching him dance and explore, it is always fun and entertaining to see what this little boy of ours is going to do next. He's changing and learning at such a fast pace, I don't want to miss any of it. We all treasured this trip and agreed that it was one of our best family moments yet.