Independent Play

Parker phased out of his morning nap for good around 14 months old. Although I enjoyed the fact he slept a longer amount of time in the afternoon, I hated to drop his morning nap because Jonathan took a morning nap as well and it gave me two chances during the day to get a little break as well as accomplish some things. Often times I found myself needing to do some things upstairs but did not like hauling Parker from room to room or up and down the stairs to do this. So I decided to start some independent play time with him. I moved half his toys upstairs to his room (mainly the ones that made the most noise!) and bought a gate to put across his doorway so I could leave his door open, keeping an eye on him but also go back and forth upstairs as needed. I figured we would have to ease him into playing alone in his room by slowly increasing the time he was by himself without one of us in there with him, but he took to this concept like a champ. He seems to enjoy the change of scenery and it allows me to get some things accomplished upstairs if needed while Jonathan takes his morning nap. The other day I decided to take some pictures of him while he was playing to document some of his favorite things to do.

He enjoys climbing the steps of his step stool and setting on the stairs.

He sits on his alphabet train and plays with the blocks that go with it.

He has started to pull some of his drawers out and pushes them back in. He seems to like the sound of them on the rollers. Thankfully he has not taken things out of the drawers and also knows to let go in time so his fingers don't get smashed!

This is my FAVORITE. He loves to sit and look at his books, He will "talk" as he turns the pages as if he is reading aloud. I love this boy so much!