15 Month Update

In case I haven't said it already ;), I can hardly believe that we have a 15 month old!!  It, seriously, doesn't seem possible that our baby is now a toddler.  Where did the last year go?!?!  Since I haven't done a strictly-Sam update in a while, I thought I'd hit a few highlights of life for our boy right now.  I will admit that this post is 95% for my documentation - since the days of baby-booking ended about two weeks after he was born - and about 5% to show off the incredibly adorable (not that I'm bias) photos we took at the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago (feel free to just scroll through).

I'm going to try to stick to my old update format with some changes to account for this new season of toddlerdom...  Here we go.

Absolutely LOVE this picture... "Big boy" clothes and all. (It had to happen some time.)

Size. When we went to the doctor last (a few weeks ago to get his ears checked), Sam weighed about 25 1/2 pounds.  It amazes me how much the weight gain slows down once kids start eating strictly solid food and moving around all the time.  (He weighed 7 pounds at birth, 17 at 6 months, 20 at 9 months, and 24 at one year).  Clothes are all between 12 months and 2T - with the bottoms needing to be a little smaller than tops.  (Poor boy got his mama's chubby thighs and short legs.) Still rockin' the big head. :)

Mobility. Sam walked across a room by himself for the first time ON his 14 month birthday.  He still looks a little like a drunkard (complete with a major beer belly), but he is getting more and more steady on his feet and faster every day.  He really did not have a hard time transitioning from crawling; even when he falls down, he always just stands himself right back up and keeps going. I'm thinking this might because he just took his time and didn't really "start" walking until he was good and ready. 

No, I will not say "cheese."

Language. Other than the occassional "maaaaamaaaaa" or "dada" when he thinks no one is listening, still no real words from this guy. This, of course, makes Mommy anxious and forces her to over-Google; but, the doctors are not too worried - especially since Jeff and his brother were both late talkers too. (Wouldn't you know the English teacher's kid is the one that refuses to speak.) We are hoping to have his hearing checked soon - just to rule out any issues there - but we suspect he is, once again, just being stubborn and taking his time, and that there will be some kind of a language "explosion" one day soon.

Aside from actually using real words with meaning, this guy is communicating up a storm!  He points at EVERYTHING, does lots of babbling, singing, yelling, and squealing at different tones (especially in the car and stroller), and understands us/does what we ask him to do most of the time.

Personality.  Just as I have said from the the beginning, Sam operates in extremes.  When he is in a good mood, he is in SUCH a good mood.  Seriously, he has the BEST laugh and just really lets it go when he gets tickled about/by something.  He is also very friendly - will still pretty much go to anyone, stares and smiles at most strangers (especially women), and loves to crawl in laps, any lap. :) He also gets SO excited when he sees people he knows - usually running from the sunroom to the front door squealing in delight.  It's the best.

I wouldn't call him "cuddly" per se, but he does like to be held, and has recently learned to give hugs.  I just about die when he "hugs' Addy and lets out an "Ahhh."  He's going to be a heart breaker, no doubt.

On the other side of that coin, we are experiencing some temper tandrum for sure when he doesn't get his way.  I admit that, for a long time, I was quick to pick him up or give him his paci when these happened to prevent "causing a scene," but we are getting better at just ignoring him; and - shocker - that seems to be working well.  

I love my boy's passion even though some days it is more enjoyable than others. :)

Eating. My boy is an eater.  Honestly, we have been really blessed that Sam will eat pretty much any and everything.  Cooking and ordering out for him is really easy.  I pretty much feed him whatever we are eating, and he (pretty much) eats with us in his high chair at the table and feeds himself.  We are still mastering the fine art of eating with a fork and spoon, but he gives a valiant effort.  He also can drink from a cup (we gave up the bottle completely at 13 months - mostly at his own insistence) by himself about 90% of the time.  Some of his favorite foods are: lasagna, green beans, grilled chicken nuggets, apples (only on the core), strawberries, raisins, "Buddy Fruit" pouches, & graham crackers.

Sleeping.  Hit or miss.  (I'm beginning to think this is just the way it is going to be.)  Really, he is a pretty good sleeper, so I shouldn't complain.  Probably six out of seven nights, he goes to bed by 8PM and sleeps until about 7AM with little to no interruptions.  The other night, he wakes up SCREAMING and refuses to go back to sleep unless he is in bed with us.  You win some, you lose some. :)

We attempted to switch to just one nap a day (in part because I, selfishly, wanted to be able to hang out with friends with kids who nap from 1 -3), but Sam is still quite content with two for now.  The "normal" schedule is a nap from 10 - 12 and another from about 3:30 - 5.  I'll take it.

Likes. MUSIC.  (He recently started a little music class with Jeff's mom on Monday mornings, and she says he is the "star of the show."  He absolutely loves it!!)  He loves to dance, clap, sing, and play the drum his daddy bought for him. Being outside. His friends Benji, Charlie, & Jack in the neighborhood.  Riding in his wagon. Drinking from a straw. Climbing stairs. Taking things out of drawers, off of shelves, etc. Bath time.

Dislikes. Having his diaper/clothes changed. Not being picked-up or put-down at exactly the second he wants. Being "strapped in" to a stroller, shopping cart, high chair, etc.

That about does it.  Enjoy your Sunday!