The first 12 months of motherhood were tough for me and I’ve been very candid about it here. Thankfully, right around Levi’s first birthday I started feeling better after finally seeking help for my postpartum anxiety/depression. I’m in no part saying being a mom is easy at any point, but I’ve been having plenty of fun with Levi since he turned one and I’m pretty jazzed about it. A lot of it has to do with my mental health, but part of it is because Levi’s grown into this fascinating little person.

We have a walker

Levi’s always been a happy boy, but man was he happy once he started walking around 14 months. He’s beyond excited to explore his surroundings, and it’s been a real joy to watch. Seeing his entire face light up when he picks up a branch or a rock is nothing short of delightful. To clarify, watching him pick up rocks gets boring after about five minutes, but seeing his face light up never gets old.

Now that Levi’s walking we’ve been taking him to the park which is such a nice activity even though he mainly likes the swings and picking garbage up off the ground (baby steps). Of course, walking has come with its own set of challenges, i.e., he has to be watched ALL of the time. Literally, I’ll be talking with David for 30 seconds only to find Levi dipping his hands into the toilet bowl (warning: this post may contain graphic imagery). He typically gets angry when I try sticking him in the play pen to get something done, but we don’t have any other space in the house that’s entirely baby proof — even our playroom has a massive lamp in it (we decorated before having a baby). Since I don’t want to place him in front of the T.V. just yet (we’re trying to hold off till he’s about two years old), preparing dinner has been a challenge if David’s not home in time to watch him.

Tantrums are a thing

Levi isn’t even two and yet the tantrums have already begun. I don’t know where he learned this behavior or if it’s one of those innate things toddlers do, but when he doesn’t get his way he starts crying and drops to the ground and just lays down. Whether we’re at home or in the middle of the street he’ll do this. It’s wild. Remember when I said I’m having plenty of fun? Well, this part is anything but. He’s persistent, and if I say no to something he really wants — he let’s me hear it.

Many times it’s much easier to give in and say yes to him, but I want Levi to know when mama says no, she means it. If he thinks my no really means yes, or maybe, he’s going to continue throwing tantrums because he knows it will eventually get him what he wants. Not a good scenerio. I’ve been reading and re-reading Permission to Parent and I highly recommend it.

Playing and talking

Play dates with other kids are officially starting to be less about the parents chatting and more about the kids because Levi is actually interacting (a little) with others. For the most part the babies ignore each other, but there are moments where they hand each other toys or touch one another that are adorable. I get such a kick out of seeing him interact with kids his age. He’s really growing up so fast!

Levi goes to three baby classes per week, including one with his aunt which has been a wonderful experience for both of them. He does Movers and Shakers at Temple Beth Shalom, Zumbini at Miami Children’s Music with the fabulous Ashlee Cramer, and My Gym in Aventura (it’s a bit of a schlep for us but it’s such a great place). These classes are fun for both of us and have been a great way to meet other moms and grow my mom tribe. I recommend all of them.

In terms of playing, Levi’s at an age where he’s interested in getting his hands on everything and anything that’s NOT an actual toy. Pill bottles and keys are his favorites as of late. My advice is to buy very few toys for this age (if your kid’s like Levi) and instead try and let them explore as much as possible. We have a couple drawers in the kitchen that are Levi friendly with plastic containers and utensils, and my mother in law had a genius idea of filling pill bottles with dried pasta. During the day I can rarely get Levi to sit for story time, but we do read him at least one book before bedtime every night.

Levi is very chatty, but what he says is gibberish. His only actual words are “mama”, “dada” and “bye”. Occasionally I’ve thought I’ve heard him say other words, but I’m not entirely certain. I know toddlers his age who say a lot more, but it’s not something I’m worried about. I know he’ll talk at his own pace and I don’t care to rush him. We speak to him as much as possible (without annoying him or ourselves), and read to him daily. He’s also hearing English, Russian, and Spanish at home which may mean he may be slower to speak.

Sleep

Hard as it was, there’s no part of me that regrets sleep training Levi. He loves his crib, and puts himself to bed for every nap and bedtime. I simply put him in his sleep sack, hand him his lovey, and close the door. At sixteen months Levi is still taking two naps (I’m holding on to them for as long as I can), and sleeping approximately 11.5 hours every night. He naps from about 9:30-11a.m. and then 2:30-4:15p.m., and goes to bed around 7:30. I love having the evening to unwind and catch up with David.

Motherhood has been kind to me lately and I don’t take any of it for granted. As always, I’m here for you mamas so please reach out if you want to talk about anything.

XOXO

Val