13 Months!

Davis turns 13 months today which reminded me just how bad we have been at updating the blog.  The last few weeks seem like a whirlwind.  Some of the highlights include:

• Kristen putting in 70-80 (or more) hour weeks to finish her thesis, get her presentation done and prepare for a conference
• Kristen's conference being postponed just days before we leave due to the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
• Kristen's parents coming to visit and take care of Davis
• Planning and taking last minute tip to Costa Rica Puerto Rico.
• Kristen's thesis defense and celebration

It has been a busy few weeks, but things have settled down a little for the time being.  It seems that Kristen and I are both back to working normal hours, Kristen's parents have gone home and we are back to our old routine: chaos. The next couple of weeks should be pretty sedate by our standards: Kristen is wrapping up revisions to her thesis (due date: May 21st), our daycare is closed for the last week of May and then Kristen will go through graduation ceremonies.

Davis has really grown in the last month. He:

• Has about 8-10 words, including: Up, Done (finished eating), Mama, Dada, Thank You (when given something), Hello (usually reserved for answering the phone) and Uh-Oh (dropping something).  His language has developed a lot over the last couple of weeks and besides these words has a lot of different vocalizations.  We think he uses "Ya-Ya" for grandma and has a word for the cats, but we aren't as sure about those.
• Spins around in a circle after watching mom or dad spin around in a circle.  This scares me a little bit as I nearly lost my eye spinning around in our kitchen and hitting my head on a sharp drawer handle when I was young, but it is really neat to watch.
• Can walk backwards
• Knows the song "clap your hands if you are happy and you know it" and does the clapping and stopping parts.  There really isn't much cuter than a stomping toddler.
• Is very opinionated.  If he doesn't get what he wants, he lets us know about it.
• Has a good understanding of basic language and commands.  For example, tonight, while skyping with Grammie, she said "do you want more" and he used the sign for "more".
• Gives fantastic raspberries when mom lies on the ground.
• Takes good and consistent naps at daycare (knock on wood).
• Has transitioned to milk instead of formula (woo hoo).
• Likes whipped cream, ice cream and popsicles 

Those are just a few things.  He is growing up so fast! I can't believe its already been 13 months.  Looking back at where he was a year ago, it seems like it must be longer than 13 months.