Stephens' Stories: 15 Months!

Austin turned 15 months old on Friday, November 9th. Crazy! He is turning into a toddler except that he is just beginning to toddle. He is traveling and cruising all over the place while holding on to furniture or other people. He is getting more and more brave and thinks it is so fun to let go of the couch or table and take steps towards us. We visited his new doctor, Dr. Pielop, at Bluefish pediatrics on 11/9. We had unfortunately just been there a few days before because Austin had a 104.5 fever (so scary!) and we wanted to get him checked out to make sure nothing else was wrong besides a viral cold. He was clear of all other symptoms, thank goodness. At Austin's 15-month appointment, he weighed 23 pounds, 4 ounces (58th percentile), was 33 inches tall (96th percentile), and his head was in the 96th percentile. He is a growing boy!

Dr. Pielop was not at all concerned about his walking status. He considers Austin to be walking but he just hasn't chosen it as his preferred method of getting around. Crawling is still much faster. He has definitely had his share of bumps and bruises as a result of trying to walk or getting carried away while playing. He bruised his forehead in the same place 3 times this week. Trouble! Dr said we need to focus on using an open cup or a straw instead of a sippy cup. At school he will have to continue using a sippy cup for their convenience but we are going to learn an open cup at home. He drank for open cups at Bright Horizons in Denver with the help of his teachers. I wonder if he misses and remembers his teachers there? We talked about when he should have his first dentist visit and dr said we are his dentists for now but that he can go when he turns 2 or around then. I haven't counted how many teeth he has but I think there are at least 4 molar-types, maybe more. We talked about his vocabulary. He said that Austin should be saying about 3 words. He says "uh-oh", "dada", "mama", and "oh". I think he just started saying "moo" or some version of that. He has a book that is called "Do Cows Eat Cake?" that he really likes reading at bed-time. I have been telling him that cows say "moo" and just noticed the other night that he says "woo" when we turn to that page. I think this is his version of "moo". He has started talking much more. It is mostly baby blabber but he is vocal and responds with blabber when we say something to him. His hair has really grown in over the past 1-2 months. He even has little blond curls! I might need to start using a brush soon. We also discussed his "clingy" and more fussy temperament when mommy is around. Dr Pielop said that is normal and it is okay to start initiating some "discipline" when he does this, only when I know he is not tired, not hungry, not thirsty, and not in pain. If he is just fussing because he wants me to hold him and is acting "over the top", it is okay to put him in his crib for a minute or so as a little "time-out". I haven't done it yet, but we might try that. He said to definitely do this or at least walk away and say "no" if he bites me for attention, which has happened one time so far.

His teachers say that he eats really well (the food that they provide) and naps for the whole nap-time (12-2/2:30). Some of the items on the menu are: mini turkey hot dogs, pizza, chili mac, mini hamburgers. All of the meals have a fruit and veggie as well. I sure hope he is eating these too! At home I know that he loves avocado, sweet potatoes, mixed veggies, cheese, yogurt, mommy's special spinach & blueberry pancakes (I made them for the first time this past weekend and he loved them!), chicken, salmon, and Cheerios in his snack grabber. When he sits on the floor eating Cheerios from his snack grabber, the dogs thoroughly enjoy this. He had to get 3 shots, all boosters of vaccines he had had before - no fun! He loves to clap his hands and splash in the bathtub. He still hasn't figured out waving or blowing kisses yet. We will get there. He is very attached to his "bear" that sleeps with him at night. It is a little lovey and he gets a huge smile when we go into his room and get it himself by pulling it through the crib slats. He is getting some quality time with DiDi and MiMi since they have been helping with pick-up/drop-off. Mimi said when she picked him up yesterday from school he was busy pushing the yellow shopping cart around the room. She said he was blabbing as he pushed and was even able to turn the cart around when he crashed into furniture. I wish I was there to see this! Maybe we need a shopping cart for Christmas?

Austin, you are such a happy little guy most of the time. You do get a little upset when you are waiting in your high chair for food. When we put you in the chair, you want to eat, Now! We love talking with you in your hilarious baby chatter and can't wait to find out what your next word will be. You are growing way too fast! Love you baby boy.