Lately it seems Jonathan has made a quantum leap when it comes to his understanding. He can turn buttons in his toys (a maneuver that is more difficult) and is showing clear signs of a sense of humor. His understanding is also developing well and he learns more and more by imitation, creating some truly cute circumstances.
Jonathan likes to laugh, and he always enjoys it when mommy makes funny noises. Lately he has decided to contribute himself to the fun! He takes the spoon in his mouth and shakes his head, humming all the while and checking my reaction. He likes to take my glasses and tries t put them on his head. I put them on for him and he thinks it is really funny to have the strange iron contraption on his nose. Such little gestures make him laugh, and prove that he enjoys a good laugh. He recently proved distinctly that he has a sense of humor. He was standing at one end of the living room and I was at another, leaving from work. When Jonathan sees me pick up my keys and bag, he knows I am going away and he begins to whine his protest. As he started to whine I lowered myself on my knees and offered a last minute hug, before going to work and he seemed to accept the offer and stated running in my direction, laughing. But at the last minute, before he reached me he took a sharp turn and ran into his room, laughing all the while! This was the first proof of a sense of humor but also of the child's understanding of the simplest manipulation that children have in their arsenal – hug prevention.
Another day we were in the shopping mall together, Jonathan, my husband and I – and he came to me for a hug, and when his daddy asked for a hug he started running towards him, turning at he last minute. Laughing as he maneuvered around my husband and not into his arms. I could not help laughing and thus the by learned that his actions are pleasing, and he repeated them a few minutes later, much to my husbands chagrin.
Another new ability that proves better understanding is the ability to tell a story. Jonathan still does not talk clearly but rather he mumbles in a language that is completely his own. His”talk” has however recently developed in the sense that there is a lot more “music” to his language. He is clearly talking and telling a story and his mumbles truly sound like conversation. On top of it all, he has recently taken to turning the pages of books and telling himself a story. It is truly the cutest image! I was inspired by his actions and have started reading him a story for bedtime. We still do not hold the book together or tell the story together, but I hope the start I have now made will lead to sch fulfilling bedtime story telling. In the meantime, he even tells himself a good morning story, waiting until we take him out of bed and keeping himself busy by looking through the pages of a fabric book that hangs on the bed and talking to himself! In such moments I wish I could understand him! I do so wish to know what he is saying...
Jonathan seams to be truly musical (like his mommy who could sing before she could talk...really – ask my parents). After all his first clear word is from a song (the sneezing rabbit). He loves any toy that plays music and asks for particular tunes by imitating the way that I sing them. There is a song from on of his toys that I sing by creating a lot of L sounds, and he asks me to sing by imitating the blolololo sound that I make. He makes the toys play a tune and claps his hands as a sign for me that I must join the toy in song!
He imitates adults around him. He tries more and more to eat with a spoon, spilling his food and creating a mess much to my chagrin. I really hate cleaning it all up, but hey its a part of being a mom and not all is pleasurable, though the majority of it all is. He likes to close ans open the glass I use for his mashed food. Each time he succeeds in closing it properly he rewards himself with a cheer! Then I ask him to open it so I can continue to feed him, and he does. And So we eat: open the lid, mommy scoops some food and shovels it into my mouth. I coordinate two movements simultaneously – I.e. opening my mouth for the food and closing the glass again. Then mom asks me to open it, and I do... and it starts all over again.
Jonathan's developed understanding also allows him to show clear dissatisfaction and even clearly oppose certain actions. He is growing 4 teeth now together and that means his gums are red and they hurt! Brushing his teeth is thus not a pleasant action and he shakes his head vigorously each evening when I offer him the tooth brush during bath time. If when he was smaller, we were not sure why he shook his head at times, now it is clear that it is a movement to mean “no”!
Imitation shows itself in the strangest of actions. He likes my Labello lip gloss, and he has mastered opening and closing the tube o his hearts content. But that is no enough. He opens the tube and then rubs it to his lips – imitating his mommy. Then he closes it. (he still has not gotten to the part where he spins the tube to let the lip gloss out...but still he clearly wants to use the funny blue/white tube just like mommy does.
The last weekend, we were at my parents' house and I went to the toilet. My husband who was looking for me, knocked on the door of the toilet to see if I was there and I answered the knock. Jonathan who watched this happen decided it would be nice to get mommy to talk to him from behind the door. And so he got up and knocked on the door too! Imitating the actions f my husband. My mother who was nearly said one could see the thinking process in the boys eyes. The thought and decision to get up and knock on the door so that mommy would answer him too.
The end of January is also the time of Jonathan's first sketch. Another action that shows a new understanding. One morning he decided to grab a pencil and scribble wit it on a peace of paper. Thus a few lines were created and a simple note to remind me of daily routines has been kept and placed in Jonathan photo album, for posterity.
