15 Months

I know I was ridiculed for my weekly Daniel posts last year but I still think it's appropriate to break down the under 2 age group into months. Each month brings so many changes and a one year-old is very different from a 2 year old.

At fifteen months, Daniel:

• usually sleeps through the night. Actually, I believe he wakes up most nights but I usually sleep through the night which means he gets to self soothe unless I happen to wake up and then, he sometimes gets some warm milk and a dark and quiet room rock and snuggle.

• likes electronics! He can swipe an iphone open, accidentally call someone on the home phone, change the station on the TV, completely change the settings on the computer (I don't know how he does it!) and put on the hazards in the van when we are parked and waiting for a brother to be done with something. If there are lights, clicks, dings or buzzes, he will figure out how to make it happen!

• eats almost anything but on his terms. If a fork or spoon is coming his way, he will turn his head and grab the utensil so that he can feed himself. Also, something he chows down on one day, he will refuse the next although yogurt, bananas, and milk with a scoop of Ovaltine are usually sure bets. 

• is comforted by his stuffed elephant. If he can sneak it out of his crib with him, he will hold onto it while he wakes up but then drops it wherever when he's ready to run and play making the next sleep time more difficult if elephant is not in the crib. 

• still doesn't really speak and will not point to me or Jay when asking where "mama" or "daddy" is but will point to a light and say "li", make a "mmmm" sound when shown a real cow or picture of a cow, and "bu" when the school bus comes down the road in the morning.  He also knows his brothers' names and will look for them out the window when I ask if he can see them coming up the driveway after school.

• loves balls.  All balls.

• still takes out all the plastic cups and bowls, tupperware and waterbottles out of their corresponding drawers but is starting to understand the concept of putting them back into the drawers and then clapping for his own awesomeness. 

• prefers to be outside. Will cry when anyone leaves the house without him and can open all the doors so has found a way outside if a door is unlocked. I need to just put a chair outside and read and let him get dirty.  Also prefers to be up as high as his little body can get him. If there is a chair, he will be on top of it. If there is a table next to the chair, he will go higher. Stools, benches, and tables were meant to be climbed! 

• is a flirt.  His brown eyes seek and roam to find someone with whom to make eye contact and will then proceed to coyly smile and charm any and all nearby. Restaurant patrons, chapel attendants,  and grocery store check-out waiters beware!

• Has a persistent rash on his chest.  Probably eczema. Can't decide if I'm going to try elimination diet to see if he has a food allergy or just by some really good cream.  It doesn't seem to bother him. 

He loved having Grandma here to cuddle with and read him stories.

Getting a haircut by a professional.  I'll never try to cut his hair again after the stylist only charged me $1!!!

On top of the table....making messes.

Outside on the river trail without a care in the world.  Watch out bicyclists, dog walkers and worried mothers.

Three generations of brown eyes!