Well hello there, little toddler! You have grown so much in so many ways over the past three months. When I see younger babies I honestly find myself searching my brain to remember you being that small, just looking around and cooing. Those days are far, far behind us!
You started walking independently just after you turned 13 months old, but didn't really start using it as your primary mode of transportation until closer to 14 months old. At daycare you moved up to the Toddler Room during this time, too, so I am sure being around all the other walkers was motivation to keep up! Your little walk is so funny. You get in to a standing position by putting your hands on the floor and getting your feet and legs positioned, then raise up your upper body. Usually you walk with your hands up in the air for balance and you waddle, waddle, waddle your way around! A few weeks ago you figured out how to walk sideways and backwards, too, which is pretty impressive.
Another major development has been the fairly rapid increase in our ability to communicate with each other. We use simple sign language for words such as: more, all done, eat, milk, and bread. I think you might know more signs from daycare, but don't always use them. Generally speaking you use your signs well, but sometimes you just start doing them all at once. It's pretty darn cute, but when you essentially tell us, "More! All done! Eat! More! All done!" we have no idea what you mean. haha
You've been saying simple words like "hi" and "hello" for a while, but more complicated words are starting to make their way in to daily life. For example, one day we were having a snack together and I was eating a pear. You pointed to my pear and said, "App-ble!" I couldn't believe it! Basically all round fruits are "app-bles" to you, but that is pretty normal. You can also say diaper, hamper, Daddy (dah-DEE! always shouted haha), and Mommy (usually takes some prompting).
We love singing "Old McDonald" together and you sing along with, "Eee-I-OOOOO" and chime in with sounds for a sheep, snake, duck, and sometimes cow. You do adorable hand motions for "Wheels on the Bus" (your favorite verse is, "The mamas on the bus go shh! shh! shh!" and you put your finger to your lips to shush, or put your finger on OUR lips to shush!), and for "Itsy Bitsy Spider" as well.
You can't quite identify your own body parts, but can point out our nose, chin, eyes, ears, and hair. We have to be careful when you point to our eye, though, as you really jam your finger in there! You've definitely picked up on a lot of this from us at home, but daycare is really becoming school for you in many ways. You have learned a lot and we are blown away when you suddenly do something that we haven't really focused on at home (like rubbing your hands together when we turn on the faucet!).
Dad and I swell with pride over how sweet you seem to be when you're with other people. One day when Dad picked you up at daycare he casually asked your teacher, "Was Max good today?" and she replied, "Max is always good!" Another time I was picking you up from the childcare room at the gym and as soon as I walked in the girls said, "He is so sweet! He never cried and he just did his own thing and let us hold him." We are so happy that you are developing such a nice little personality. Of course, we think you're the most wonderful little boy on the planet, but it's always nice to hear other people agree.
You love to play outside and have gotten sturdy enough with your walking that you can walk on uneven ground. We walk all around the yard and you crunch leaves, grab fistfuls of pine straw, and sit down to feel and pull the grass. It has been such a joy to see you discover all these small things for the first time, and really sit and study things we never even think about in our day to day lives.
You are definitely a picky eater and have a very limited number of foods you'll tolerate. When we offer you other foods you often won't even let it touch your tongue before spitting it out or throwing it. It can be frustrating at times, but for now we just try to get as many calories in you as possible. Being in the Toddler Room at daycare has helped, though; and sometimes it seems like you eat better there than at home, probably because you see all the other toddlers eating.
You still nurse two to three times a day and Dad and I are trying to follow your lead with it (basically nurse when you ask, but not really offer just to offer). We have had to make some gentle changes of when you're "allowed" to nurse so that it is not interfering with eating table food or sleep. It's such a sweet time for us, and gives us a chance to reconnect and be still together. I also find comfort knowing that it's providing you with extra calories and "perfect" nutrition to fill in the gaps, so to speak, of what you're not eating during meal times.
I'm sure I could call everything about this age "my favorite", but my favorite thing is how affectionate you have become. The first year is pretty much all giving with just occasional smiles and giggles in return. Now you love to come give us big hugs (often with a pat on the back which is pretty funny) and kisses on the lips and cheek. Dad taught you how to "pucker up" which always makes me laugh. You're also really ticklish now and have the best belly laugh. Seriously kiddo... you turn me in to a pile of mush sometimes!
A glimpse in to our future, perhaps? You love gadgets and buttons!
Another funny thing is how much you love when Dad and I hug and kiss in front of you. You always get a huge smile on your face, kick your feet, and giggle. I hope you always know how much love Dad and I have for one another, and that we can set a good example for you with our marriage.
One of your favorite things to do is "relax" by lounging back on pillows. It is so funny!
Last two cute things I want to remember (I keep thinking of more and more!)... after your bath we wrap you up in a hooded towel and cradle you in our arms. You love it when we hold you up to the mirror to see and say, "Tiny baby! Max is just a tiny little baby!" and snuggle you close. The other is how much you love to be surprised. When we pop out from behind something or around the corner you jump and then start howling with laughter. It's fun to watch, too, when one of us is playing and the other observing. You pull your arms in close and raise your shoulder in anticipation, barely holding in a laugh. After you've been surprised you give us a, "Do it again!" look and have so much fun.
Here are some facts about you as a 15 month old boy:
Nicknames: M.J., Sweet Baby, Max Man, Little Man, Munchkin
Loves: Being surprised, dancing to music (you especially love when we play Michael Jackson for you!), bath time, yogurt, Cheerios, raisins, bananas, snuggle time, playing outside
Dislikes: When Mom blows her nose (this one is sort of funny... I had a cold for a while and every time I blew my nose you would dramatically throw yourself on the floor and cry! haha), wearing socks and shoes (they always come off in the car!)
Height: 29.75 inches (13th percentile)
Weight: 19 pounds 13 ounces (2nd percentile)
Head Circumference: 18.25 inches (27th percentile)
Clothing: 9 month sized clothes, size 3 diapers
Miscellaneous: You have ten teeth and two more on the way! Four in the front on top and bottom, bottom molars, and two top molars slowly making their way through.
Sweet baby, I love you more and more each day. I'm so blessed to be your Mama.
Love,
Mom
