Baby Learning Time (BLT) Update 2/10/14

            I know I said I wasn't going to do any more updates a few months ago, but now that I'm not babysitting I have a lot more time, energy, and patience. Even though I definitely want more kids, I have to admit it's really nice being able to spend a lot more one on one time with Myka. I won't be doing weekly updates, but if I discover any nifty tips that work for us or we do anything particularly exciting in the learning department, I'll let you know!
            Myka has recently become even more interested in books. She has always liked looking at them herself, but she is REALLY into them now. (She still won't let me finish reading a book to her without taking it away from me but hey, she's 1. What can you expect?) It's so funny and cute watching her sit and "read" a book to herself. It's not so funny when she feels the need to pull ALL of her books off of the shelf...in the living room AND her bedroom.
            To somewhat tie into the reading thing, we've also been trying to work on language skills and the alphabet for fun. Myka has become very frustrated recently with her lack of ability to communicate what she wants. (Never ending teething isn't helping her mood either.) She knows a few signs from sign language, but not enough to let us know what she wants/needs without throwing a fit. She tries pointing at stuff sometimes, but it's still like trying to decipher a code for us most of the time.
            As far as the alphabet goes, no, I don't expect her to actually know her letters yet. Like I've said several times, we just like introducing things to her so she has a head start for later on, hopefully. (Just throwing that in there so you guys don't think I'm completely nuts. :) ) I've been utilizing our nifty chalkboard/dry erase board from Melissa & Doug to show Myka letters. (I highly recommend getting one of these or something similar if you are homeschooling pre-schoolers!) She likes playing with the letter magnets and chalk, of course, so I take the opportunity when she's playing with those to show her the alphabet.

            I'll get through as many letters of the alphabet as I can while she shows an interest and stop when she starts to get bored/distracted. I write each one out like in the picture above then hold the magnet up next to the letter on the winter alphabet pictured below. (For the record, I still let her draw or do whatever she wants on the chalkboard while I do this. I'm not a total control freak. :D)

             While I'm super happy Myka is so interested in the "intellectual pursuits", she's still a bit lacking in the gross motor development department. (Read: The little turd is still not walking!) I know kids all start doing things at different ages, but I can't help feel a little jealous (or a lot) when I see every other kid her age (or younger) walking, even though I'm sure I'll instantly regret it once she does start.
            What new fun or exciting things have your children been doing lately?