15 Months

On August 27th Van hit the 15 month mark. The other day I was watching him play and it just hit me how much he has changed in the past few months. He is just so much more capable now in everything. I was trying to remember when he started doing each new skill and I was a little fuzzy on everything. I decided to take a minute and record a little bit about what Van is up to right now so I can remember it in the future. I realize this is probably only interesting to Brian and I so feel free to skip it if you want!

Van at 15 months........

*Walks exclusively and is experimenting with running

*Squats a little and shakes his hips back and forth when we say "shake it" or "dance"

*Stomps his feet over and over when we say "happy feet"

*Knows the following animal noises: sheep, owl, cat, monkey, tiger, snake

*Says the following words: mama, dada, uh oh, hi, hello, no(thankfully this is rare), backpack, bye bye(sounds like buh bye right now), amen, oh wow, night night, thank you (sounds like dat doo), banana, baby (sounds like buh be)

*Starting to use sound effects when playing. So far trucks are the most consistently used

*Uses a variety of gestures to communicate exactly what he wants to

*Usually only takes 1 three hour nap a day but occasionally takes a short one in the morning too

*Goes to bed around 7 or 7:30 and sleeps about 12 hours

*Only has a binky for sleeping (this has been the case since about 6 months old) and throws it out of the crib when you come to get him since he knows he has to give it up to get out of the crib

*Now likes to shut doors from the outside (behind him as a leaves a room)

*Runs to the kitchen when he hears the phone ringing while saying "hello"

*Still loves to read and now he will pick a book, bring it to you, and climb in your lap

*Knows when books are upside down and turns them the right way

*Likes to feed himself with a spoon but isn't great at it

*Follows directions such as "bring me your shoe", or "take this to daddy" very well

*Loves piggy back rides

*Has eight front teeth (four on top and four on bottom) and is working on all four molars. Two have cut through and the other two will be anytime now

*Eats "normal" food exclusively and has for a few months now

*Likes to drink from a cup (not a sippy) but isn't great at it.

*Uses a sippy cup and hasn't had a bottle since the week of his birthday

*Can figure out how something opens, makes noise, etc in a matter of seconds

*Gets into EVERYTHING

*Continues to defy logic by getting cuter every second!

As proof that he is a smart little boy I have included the following picture:

Cleaning mom out already! He always goes straight for my wallet and the money and cards inside when my bag is left within his reach.

UPDATE: Since posting this yesterday Brian and I have already remembered several things that he does that were not included here like pulling up his shirt and pointing to his belly button when we ask where it is. Also since posting this he has learned two new words and cut a new tooth. Why do I even try? This kid is growing up way too fast!