Fifteen Month Word List

Now that he's steady on his feet, Charles' vocabulary has continued to explode.
Here's a word list so far (though keep in mind a lot of these words sound about the same):

Names:
- Mama
- Papa
- Nana (my mom)
- Grandpa (my dad)
- Uncle (Chris)
- Laurrel (Trevvor's sister)
- Pop (my grandfather)

Words:
- box
- ball
- bath
- outside
- shirt
- shoe
- diaper
- nose
- toe
- more: ma
- water: dada
- bottle: bata
- avocado: cada
- dog
- cat
- bird

Onomatopoeias:
- woof
- moo
- neigh
- baa
- elephant sound
- monkey sound
- tweet tweet
- honk honk / beep beep

I think there are more, but this is LONG past due as he's almost *17* months now (it's actually June--I'm just back-dating this haha), so I'll finally go ahead and post!

Fifteen Months and Walking Like a Pro

Charles is just over fifteen months already!  Biggest news of the month:  he is WALKING.  He started walking within days of my post a month ago, and now it seems like he's about ready to run.  He never crawls anymore, even at times when it almost makes more sense to do so (like when the object he wants is only just out of reach).  He's quite proud of himself.

The Crestline Park mulch is so fascinating! 

I love being able to take him out in the yard or to play at a park and just let him loose now.  He loves smelling flowers, carrying little rocks, and eating sticks.  The other day he found a pile of dirt and just grabbed handfuls of it, letting it sift back out of his fists.  Shortly thereafter he discovered his first "real" bug:  a big beetle.  He was fascinated, but wasn't a fan of the way it pinched his hand as it held on for dear life.  Trevvor was a proud papa of his bug-hunting son.  We've been trying to go on stroller walks every day it's been pretty and then go back outside for some wandering time in the afternoon.  Gotta get our vitamin D!

Charles has TONS of words now--well over a couple dozen--but I'll make a separate post for that so I can include a list for my own sake of nostalgia and pride.  ;)  He can also identify lots of body parts--nose, mouth, eyes, ears, hair, hands, feet, toes, and belly-button.  It's presh.

Swinging at Avondale Park with Papa on his lunch break

Last week Charles had his first real illness.  He started getting cranky on Trevvor's birthday (Saturday), and by Monday night he had a temperature.  I assumed it was just teething, as he's had fevers associated with previous teeth coming in, but by Wednesday he just did not feel well at all, and I could tell it was more than that.  On Thursday, Doc Charles confirmed it was a virus.  He pretty much spent all of Wednesday and Thursday nursing (and sleeping) like an infant.  He was in a decent mood as long as he was in my lap.  Though it was exhausting and I felt sorry for the poor chap, I have to admit I really enjoyed all the extra cuddles.  We didn't "treat" the fever, I just watched his behavior for any warning signs, remembering to treat the child, not the symptoms.  I did use some essential oils to boost his immune system and help his body fight off the virus on its own.  As he was continuing to nurse well and have plenty of diapers (though he did reject solids for several days), I wasn't concerned.  His fever broke sometime Thursday night.

Not really feeling the family "groupie" shot at Pepper Place Market

His 15 month well-baby check-up happened to be on Friday, so our pediatrician was able to check him over and confirm both that he was fine and we'd followed a good course of action, which was gratifying.  She, as usual, seemed to be super pleased with his growth and development, commenting that he sure did have a lot of words!  *proud*  His measurements are 21.5 pounds, 31.5 inches long, and his head is 18.75 cm around.  He's grown exactly 10 inches since he was born!  Whoa!

While Charles was sick, he had pretty much zero interest in solids, even his favorite treats like rice crackers and fruit bits.  (Thankfully he asked for and drank lots of water.)  Even though it's been about a week since he got better, and he's definitely eating more again, he's gotten quite "picky."  He likes egg whites, but not the yolks, and if he sees or tastes even the TINIEST bit of yellow, he rejects the bite.  He'll still eat avocado, but not if it has a stringy bit in it.    He'll only suck on pouches that are on the sweeter side--no more green peas in a pouch for Charles!  He'll try new things, but if he doesn't like it, he'll push it right back out of his mouth, and he's become much more demanding about holding the spoon himself or finger-feeding.  Phew!  Mealtimes have been a challenge, both in satisfying his palate and not caving to bad behavior.  Dr. Albert (our ped) did mention last week that toddlers about his age really slow down their eating because their growth has really slowed down, and not to get desperate and give him junk food just to get him to eat "something."  So we've just been offering food at mealtimes and when he seems hungry, and trying not to worry too much if he doesn't eat but a few bites.

Since he started walking, we've been putting on shoes consistently for really the first time ever.  And we discovered that Charles loves shoes.  He loves our shoes.  He loves his shoes.  He loves other kids' shoes.  He loves putting shoes on his feet.  He loves putting shoes on our feet.  It's hilarious.  We went to a consignment shop a few weeks ago and tried some on, and he got super mad when I put his original ones back on and left the "new" ones there at the store.  We're trying to keep things simple and so just have two pairs in his current size--play shoes and "for-good" shoes.

As I'm typing, Charles is in the middle of what will probably be another three-hour nap.  Yep, you heard me:  for the majority of the past week Charles has given me three "mommy hours" all at once from about noon to 3:00!  Enough time for a solo lunch, devotionals, exercise, a few chores, and just time to BREATHE for a while (without wondering why my little guy is being so quiet or was that BOOM a toy or his head???).  And it hasn't made him start night-waking again either!  He regularly sleeps from 8:00 straight through to 6:00 the next morning!  So much excitement.  For more than a year, I could be heard saying, "If he'd just SLEEP he'd be the perfect baby!" but no longer!  Ladies and gentlemen, I now have the perfect baby.  (Well, not really, but close enough!)

Check out this fussy kid!  And the awesome Chaco tan on Papa's feet :P

On the "not actually perfect" note, as Charles has gotten more fun, he's also gotten more challenging in the discipline arena.  We're really working on sitting still for church, not hitting or biting, not throwing unwanted food on the floor, etc.  But he is the eldest of two eldests, so I know we're in for a major ride with this guy, especially if he's anywhere near as independent and self-willed as I was... am....  :P

If you've seen Master Charles lately, you might be wondering if his name is really Miss Charlene!  I know, I know--he REALLY needs a hair-cut!  But-- but-- those curls!  How can I lop off those incredible ringlets??  Folks keep saying he has Trevvor's hair, but I firmly believe it's mine.  I had curls as a toddler, after all, and Papa didn't.  ;)  (Charles definitely has Trevvor's eyes, though.  Mama's hair, Papa's eyes.  Can't deny this kid!)

CURLS!!!!!!! Post-bath-time :)

Charles enjoys interacting with non-family members more and more.  He gets to go to Bible class on Sundays and Wednesdays, and even though right now he's the only
kiddo in there, he seems to really love it.  How do I know?  Well Trevvor and I got to teach him last week!  Charles loved us singing together; he even applauded for us!  The best part is when he sings along.  I can't even handle the cuteness.

He does get to interact with about eight other toddlers at the Waldorf School's Morning Garden program each week, and each time we go, he gets more comfortable and sure of himself in a crowd.  This week will be our last week for the spring, sadly.  Last time I really had to keep my eye on him.  Whereas in previous weeks he would stick pretty close, wanting to be held or nurse on and off almost the whole time, last week he was all over the place!  He even gave several other moms "some love" (i.e., hugging their legs or laying his head on their shoulder).  Way to branch out, son!

I guess that's enough random Charles-ness for this month.  He changes in such little ways a little every day, I know I forget things, or I hardly realize there's even something different.  

Fourteen Months

Charles turned 14 months old yesterday!  This last month has been full of changes, as usual.  The most exciting one is that he has begun taking steps!  Not "walking" yet, he still crawls for the majority of his mobility, but he can definitely take steps unsupported.  The record so far is about 25 at a time.  He took a few last week while at my parents' house, three on the first day.  The next he took seven, the next 13, and then finally 25!  We got home to Papa Monday night, and so far he hasn't really walked at all here.  I think he's readjusting to his surroundings; we had been gone seven days.

I haven't wanted to rush him into walking, but it is pretty cool now that it's happening.  My favorite thing, though, is how proud he is of himself when he does it!  His whole body shows his delight at his accomplishment; he even claps for himself.  :)  And I am looking forward to him being able to walk as the weather gets nicer:  parks and playgrounds are so much more fun when one is vertically mobile!

This month his language skills have exploded!  While we were at Pop and Mimi's a few weeks ago, he began learning animals' names and sounds, and now he LOVES spotting animals and pictures of animals while we're out and about!  It's a great way to keep him entertained at the grocery store.  His favorites are dogs and bears.  For dogs (and most other animals that make two-syllable sounds) he can go "uff uff" and cows (and other drawn-out sounds) he can go "vvvvvvvvv," which, apparently, to a 14 month old, sounds like "moo."

Some of Charles' favorite activities are playing ball, stacking blocks, playing with puzzles and shape-sorters, banging/shaking musical instruments, and--most of all--READING BOOKS.  Our time together is passing so much more quickly now that he's bringing me books to read, and actually more or less sits still for me to read them!  He loves Brown Bear and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, as well as But Not the Hippopotamus and any other story featuring animals.  He LOVES Clifford the Big Red Dog and can identify pictures of trains and say "ch! ch!" ("choo choo," of course).

The past month or so Charles has also begun "singing" little songs.  Sometimes he'll sing "with" me, sometimes with the radio, and sometimes just because he feels like it.  As a music-lover, I hope his new-found enjoyment of song lasts a lifetime.

I think we're finally over the hump sleep-wise.  Most nights he'll sleep from around 8:00 PM to somewhere between 6:00 and 7:30 AM.  It's fantastic!  I feel like a new woman.  He's making up for missing his night-time nursings by still nursing around five times during the day, which I love.  I read on a blog somewhere that most 13-month-olds nurse 2-3 times a day and just chuckled.  I hope the day when he only nurses twice is still a long, long way off!

As you can see, Charles is really growing from a baby into a little boy.  This all really happened after he was mostly done with cutting all four of his one-year molars at once (which of course has expanded his menu options as well).  The molars have been accompanied with a prodigious amount of snot and congestion, but he's handled it well and hasn't seemed too uncomfortable.

Another contributing factor to his development might be the time we've been spending with other toddlers at the Morning Garden program at our local Waldorf School.  He's the youngest there, with most of the other nine children around two years of age (the range is one to two-and-a-half).  We really enjoy our time spent with other "green" moms and toddlers--it's nice being a part of a group where I'm not the weird one!  I also love seeing the other moms close-up in action:  loving on their toddlers, teaching them, disciplining when necessary.  And since most of them have slightly older kiddos, they're able to assure me that whatever phase Charles is in that's not so happy will pass, that we're not the only ones.

Overall, the past few months have been awesome.  Each stage so far has been my favorite!

*Photos by Rachel Stricklin, taken at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

We have a Stander!

Charles is 13.5 months old now, and yesterday he really discovered he could stand on his own!  A couple weeks ago at my parents' house he stood unsupported several times in a row, but he hadn't done it since.  Now I think he's really got it down, and he is SO proud of himself.  He claps and laughs the whole time, giving us that, "Yeah, I'm good!" look.

I've been in no rush for him to stand or walk (I know he will when he's ready, and I don't want to push him!), but I'm super proud too.  I love seeing his excitement.  :)

Charles is also learning how to climb, which is exciting for all of us, I'm sure.  The other day I barely caught him from toppling the high chair over on himself because he'd climbed halfway up it!  He'll use anything for a stool--even toys.  Let the real exploring begin!

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In verbal news, Charles is a huge fan of the onomatopoeia, specifically animal sounds.  While we were at Pop & Mimi's house last week he really began trying to connect animals with their names and sounds (with varying degrees of success).  His attempts don't always sound just like grown-up ones, but that's okay--they're cuter.  He can "baa" and "neigh" (though those two sound about the same), "moo" (sort of), and does a rockin' impression of a dog:  the cutest "uff uff" sound you've ever heard!

Also cool is that he recognizes animals as animals even though they may look really different from others we've identified for him--one cartoon chicken does not look like another!  After learning about dogs and their sound at Pop & Mimi's, when he came home he identified a stuffed dog as an "uff uff" and got super excited when he saw his little Clifford book, pointing and going "uff uff uff!!!"  Now that's his favorite thing for me to read to him.  (I wish it were longer.  The same five board pages over and over get old pretty quick, but his excitement keeps me going.)  His most used words are "ball," "book," and, as of a couple days ago, "dog."  "Mama" and "Papa" don't happen much--at his age he still doesn't completely realize he's separate from us.

Speaking of Clifford, I bought him a Clifford coloring book and some "My First Crayons" today.  He colored for the first time on a kids' menu at a restaurant (Folks) in Georgia last weekend and seemed to like it.  I just bought some Crayolas, but I'm keeping my eye out for some "green" crayons too.

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On the food front, Charles is still nursing an average of five times a day, which is a bit more than a lot of babies his age but just right for us.  I'm planning on letting him wean when he's ready and no sooner; I have no aversion to letting him nurse past two years:  the worldwide average is more than four!

He still loves eggs and avocados, as well as those organic food pouches while we're on the go.  He pretty much eats whatever we're eating unless it's something he's unable to chew, like carrot sticks or nuts.  I'm trying to make it a policy not to eat something myself I won't allow him to eat for health reasons; so if I splurge, he gets some too (if he wants some).  The idea is that it'll make me think more about my own food choices and splurge less!  So far it's working.

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My favorite thing right now is that Charles has gotten to a point where we can really do things together.  I can finally read to him and he'll pay attention.  Now he can build block towers with me rather than just knock mine over.  He's learning how to put shapes in a shape sorter (with a little help from one of us).  When I sing to him, he sings back to me.  If I hug him, he hugs me back.  (He blows kisses too.)  He can really understand so much more of what we're saying than even a month ago, and I love love love being able to talk to him!

Charles is also learning to manipulate his environment, pointing, grunting, and otherwise directing us in what he wants us to do.  He knows what he wants--sometimes he points to a spot with several things and he will shake his head "no" until you pick up what he was pointing at, whether it is a specific book or a type of food.  I'm trying to be more conscientious about labeling things for him so that one day (hopefully sooner rather than later) his grunts will turn into attempts at words.

It's pitiful and adorable when he gets frustrated by not being able to get his message across.  Unfortunately, his frustration right now comes out as hitting, which I understand but obviously don't condone.  So we're encountering our first real discipline area and praying for wisdom in how best to handle how to teach our son not to hit without "hitting" (as he would perceive it) him.

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In sum, we're having a blast.  It's not always easy:  there are multiple times every single day where I sit back and wonder, "What in the world am I doing???"  But it is SO worth it.

Becoming All Boy

Charles is 12.5 months old now, and the past week or so I've really started to see his "boy" side come out.  The shift from baby to little boy has been both gradual and sudden, exciting and sad and hilarious and terrifying all at once.

Like when he's on the changing table and he just can't contain his rambunctious energy, kicking and wiggling and waving and jabbering all through the change.

Or when he reaches for the forbidden cabinet or shelf and peeks around at me with this little impish look in his eye.

And the mischievous way he hides behind furniture or curtains and giggles each time you "find" him.

Or when he can't sit still long enough to read more than a page or two of his board book, but heads off to climb and conquer some little mountain instead.

Also how much he is wanting to go where he wants to go, do what he wants to do, on his own.  He wanted to climb the stairs by himself earlier, and kept waving (and saying) bye-bye to me as I followed him, clearly wanting me to go away and leave him to it.  He is also insisting more and more on feeding himself, even when he's really hungry.  And he knows now when you're about to pick him up and carry him off, because he'll turn and crawl away as quickly as possible when you head towards him, laughing all the way.

The energy and independence he's displaying both delight and exhaust me in advance.  I'm going to have my hands full, but really, I wouldn't have it any other way!