New behaviors at 14 months.

These are things that are new behaviors North has been doing, starting within the last month.

1. Walking. He doesn't let me hold his hand, he walks deciding where he is going. An average venture outside is him walking around the whole block PCC Market is on. He usually goes in PCC for a tour. Yesterday he did 2 laps around that block, then later also walked a 1/2 mile while we were out on an errand. He rarely stumbles. He knows what a sidewalk is, and effectively goes down it without straying off.

2. Laughing as communication. He isn't talking, but he laughs to make friends. If he sees a dog he laughs loud and proceeds to pet it.

3. Growling at Momma. Momma comes home, North has this special growl mixed with saying 'momma" he does for her.

4. A month ago we were concerned North was asocial with kids. This week he met a kid playing with Transformers, North did his laugh, walked to the kid, put his finger on the kids head, and then sat down to play with the kid. This kind of thing is happening if their are not too many kids around.

5. Big fancy playground at Greenlake Community Center. We are going there at least once a week. Maybe 100 other kids (with parents) there on a good day. North immediately knew how to swing the first time I sat him in it. In the outdoor play area he walks around amongst the mothers and kids making laughs and growls.

6. While we are out in the neighborhood, or even on a busy Greenlake playground merry-go-round, North almost always notices the big airliners taxiing into Seatac airport. He watches them move across the sky and often waves. He started noticing seaplanes at 3 months old, they take off right over us in Fremont. In the last few months even the quietest far away airliner gets North's attention. He is constantly scanning the sky for them.

7. North is all about choosing his own way when walking, but when on a bus North hugs me the whole trip.

8. Don't worry, I am beside or behind him every second when he walks. I control his direction by stepping in his way, he will then change direction.