New Skills, More Thrills

As the title suggests, Zev has become quite the thrill seeker. His spirited belly flops off of the ottoman and somersaults off the top of the couch have sent me flying to catch him more than once. Perhaps I've encouraged this free-spirited fearlessness by clapping every time he fell a few months ago when he began walking. I clapped to avoid running to him and showing my anxiety at every tumble. Now running and falling down is in vogue, and Zev rarely cries over a spill.
Our little neanderthal is rapidly becoming homo sapian. In recent weeks his vocabulary, understanding, and sense of abstraction has grown immensely. Here is a list of words Zev says often, pronounciation following:
Mama
Dada
Stella (sella)
Please (peeeeaaas) and does the sign for it
Bye-bye
Hot (hah, hah) says when he sees steam while we're cooking or if we blow on his food
More (mo)
Milk (mih, mih)
Water (wahwah)
Cheese (jzzeeeez)
Banana (bah or bahna)
Ball (bawh)
All done (Ah-duhhhn) only said this a few times, haven't heard it in awhile
Down (Dow, dooowwww!!!!) says it when Stella tries to take food off of the table
Out (Owwww!!!! Ah-oowwww!!!) says it when Stella tries to take his food or gets to close to the table while he's eating, unless it's something he's trying to get rid of!

Animal noises:
Lion (rawr)
Bear (Rrrrr)
Dog (uhh, uhh)
Horse (mm-nnnay)
Sheep (bah)
Pig (he snorts)
Cow (Mmmmmuh)

Body parts he easily identifies on himself, mama and dada:
Nose
Eyes
Ears
Hair
Head
Tongue
Mouth
Teeth
Chin
Belly
Hands
Fingers
Toes
Feet
(learning arms & legs)

Favorite Activities:
Climbing, walking, pretending to get water from his play kitchen (and all things play kitchen), playing with his toys (the farm is very popular right now), riding on his 'truck', playing recorder, harmonica & kazoo, flipping through books and being read to, hugging mama, dada, Stella and all stuffed animals, chasing Stella to give her hugs, giving Stella treats, dancing, throwing the ball (more like dropping it), sweeping the grass with his broom, picking flowers from our backyard, climbing onto and sitting in the lawn chair, feeding himself with a spoon or spork (not much gets into the mouth), throwing trash into the garbage can, waving, socializing with other toddlers, sharing his toys with mama, dada and Stella.