A Toddler

So nobody told me that once your little one nears the 1 year mark - he suddenly turns into a toddler!(acts like a toddler!) Where did my sweet little baby go?
We now experience temper tantrums, loud screams, and a stubborn little one. Where in the world did he become so independent?
Going out to dinner is almost impossible some days. We tried Buffalo Wild Wings last night, thinking we were ok because it was loud and open and there was alot for him to look at. However, last night was the first night that we have ever had to leave a restaurant because our son was completely out of control! ha! He didn't want to sit and eat and wanted to walk everywhere - we literally had to get our food to go and leave. After a few screams we knew it was over due time. Welcome to a Toddler!
We work with Bridger all the time with basics. Most of the time he ignores us, and we still push on because we know he has to be getting some things out of it. He first proved us right a month or two ago when he "learned" to give us kisses. Really - he knows exactly what to do and he decided to give us a kiss when he feels like it. Not very often but yay!
Most recently as I was leaving daycare I do as I always do - "Say bye bye Bridger" as I wave my hand. And Wala! He waved his entire hand up and down, twice!!! The only time he has ever done it and here we were thinking he had no clue. He must have been listening this whole time! =)
This morning we woke up to him talking in his room, as usual. He can stay in his crib for at least 30 mins if we allow and just talk and sing and play with his blankets and stuffed animals. But this morning we were hearing a "clapping" noise....and Bridger was clapping his hands together very excitingly...lots of patty cake and praising him for doing good must be paying off as well! It was adorable! He kept doing it and has done it a lot today so far..... =)
He still does not say Mama very often and never "calls" us Mama and Dadda. It is always at random times....he isn't calling us. ha!
When he can actually get our cell phones, when we aren't looking - he grabs them and holds one up to his ear.......WHAT? When did he learn to be that smart already!? Cell phones at 1 years old? It is hilarious, so of course we chim in "who you talking to? whos there?"
Now when we take him out of a situation, such as playing with something we don't approve, taking something away, or just simply leaving a certain place....we get a full on head thrown back, high pitched screams and kicking legs. When did THIS happen?! =)
He is just a stubborn little boy that has always known what we have been talking about, trying to teach him and showing him. He just does it in his own terms.
This next stage of his growing years I can tell will be challenging, but so fun. He is a fun little boy and he just has his own little personality. We can not believe he will be 1 in one week! We look forward to seeing more of his own likes and dislikes and his pure silliness! We love our little "toddler"!