Terrible Ones?

We took Ryan to Chicago for the long weekend to visit my family. The last time we were there was in October, but wow what a difference 6 months makes! Ryan was pretty good on the flight there - he just didn't want to sit still. He went back and forth from my lap to Justin's and wanted nothing more than to run around in the aisle. He didn't cry or anything, but he did try to get away at least a dozen times.

Once we arrived, it became clear that our easy-going baby was now a terrified toddler with MAJOR stranger anxiety. Ryan wouldn't go near anyone and pretty much clung to me the entire trip. The only way he would play with his cousins was if Justin or I played too. And forget going to my family members. He pretty much shunned everyone. The only person he went to was Vikram but I think that's because we were outside and Vikram was offering to take him to a playground. Being outside seems to trump stranger anxiety.

We had a bbq on Saturday since the weather was so nice. Aunt Beth came over to spend some time with Ryan (albeit from afar). On Sunday we had brunch with Ziggy, Heather, and Max and Ryan was pretty well behaved during that outing. I guess mornings make a big difference.

On Sunday night we all went out to a nice steakhouse for Vikram's birthday. Luckily they put us in a private room since chaos pretty much ensued when we got there. Ryan got bored within seconds of being put in the high chair and decided to throw all his toys. The only way we could get him to stop was to let him play with a cup of water and a straw. Which of course leads to him flicking water at me with the straw. So then we take the water away and he has a fit. We manage to distract him with some dinner rolls for a little while and I sigh in relief when I see the food coming thinking that will distract him too. Instead, Ryan decides now is the time he doesn't want to sit in the high chair anymore. I put him in my lap and give him some green beans. Ryan loves green beans so I figure I'm good. Nope. Ryan gets a little overzealous with the green beans, shoves them in too far, and starts choking on them. And then there's vomit. All over his pants and a little on me too. And of course this happens to be the ONE TIME I forget to put his spare clothes in the diaper bag. So off come the pants. Ryan thinks this is hysterical and starts running around the room in his onesie and sweater. We decide to close the door to the room and just let him run as we finish our meal. I so miss the days when we would put a sleeping Ryan in his infant seat next to the table. I think it's going to be take out for us for a while...

Ryan threw several fits on Monday and at this point I think he was getting frustrated at being away from home. On the flight home, we were given the bulkhead row so Ryan could run around in the extra space. It was much easier for us, although he started throwing his toys. I think part of the problem is that we encourage him to throw a ball and he doesn't yet understand the difference. He looks up at us for approval when he throws something and is then confused and frustrated when we don't give it to him.

I'm having a love/hate relationship with this age. He's old enough to be more fun. He loves playing games and when he laughs it just warms my heart. But he's also old enough to be manipulative and young enough not to understand reason. Which just makes leaving the house challenging. We're going to the Bahamas in a couple of weeks for vacation, wish us luck!