Stephens' Stories: Campbell at 15 months

Campbell turned 15 months on July 7th. At 15 months, Campbell weighed 20 lbs 10 oz, which is 18th percentile and was 32 1/4 inches, which is 86th percentile. His head was 18 1/2 inches, which is 55th percentile. He grew faster than his curve (was 9th percentile in weight at 12 months). Big boy! At 15 months, Austin weighed 23lbs 4 oz (58th percentile) and was 33 inches tall (96th percentile). At 15 months, Campbell is walking and running already. It's hard to believe Austin did not officially walk until 16 months. Campbell is constantly on the move. When we go swimming, all he wants to do is be out of the pool walking around, climbing steps, or getting into trouble. It's not that he doesn't like the water, it's that he would rather be walking in it (baby pool or wading pool depth) as opposed to floating in a section he can't stand in. When I try to keep him in the deep part because I am either alone with Austin who wants to truly swim or dive off the diving board, he sometimes screams at the top of his lungs. He definitely has the screaming and tantrums down. We have started enforcing a time out of 1 minute or until he cools down when he has a tantrum because he doesn't get his way. Oh boy, trouble! Sometimes he will walk into a room and get a certain look on his face like "what can I destroy or find that is trouble/danger in here?". He sure loves watching Austin and takes in everything he does, which is not always a good thing. Austin enjoys tackling Campbell and pinning him to the ground. Campbell has learned to bite or grab Austin when he does this, along with a full force scream. It is a daily battle and we are working on this.....

Campbell enjoys eating but when he is done, he clearly tells us by screaming "daw" which means down/done- he likes pasta with chicken meatballs and red sauce, watermelon, hot dogs, cutie oranges, carrots, sweet potatoes, graham crackers, applegate breakfast sausage, strawberries, banana muffins, raisins, and much more. He likes meat much more than Austin does or ever did. I can usually get him to eat any meat - hamburger, pork tenderloin, chicken, turkey, etc. He has even had popsicles and a few bites of ice cream every once in a while. He is starting to want to eat at the little kids table when he sees Austin there, but I am going to make him eat in his high chair as long as I can.

He is wearing mostly 18 month shirts and still in 12 month shorts. I keep trying the 18 months shorts and swimsuits on to see if they will stay up, but his little waist is still too small to keep them from falling down. He'll get there... He is in size 3 diapers still. Campbell sleeps about 11.5 hours at night (7:30-7) and takes 1 nap that is usually 2-3 hours starting around 12:30pm. He has 2 loveys - one blue elephant and one blue bunny. He calls them both "Ba", which means Bear. Austin's lovey is "Bear" so he thinks his are "Bear" too. His elephant and bunny might always be bears. Ha!

Some of the words he says are - DaDa, MaMa (only when he is whining and needs something), Ba (bear), "Da" (down/done), "Daw" (dog), "Quack Quack" - the best duck noise ever, "Voooo" (for Moo that a cow says), "Cheese" for cheese when he sees a cell phone and smiles ready to take a picture, "Bye" for goodbye with an excellent wave, "Shasha" for sausage (breakfast sausage most days), "brew" for broom, "Dada" - for DiDi - different than DaDa for daddy, "Baaaa" for ball and in reference to golf I think because everytime we drive in to Lakeside he starts screaming "Baaaa". He says "Waaa" every time he wants water or something to drink. He understands so much it is crazy. He lifts his shirt when I say "where's your belly button?", he says "shhhh shhh" when I say "let's go brush our teeth". He will start putting toys away when I say "let's clean up", he says "mmmm" and holds play food to his mouth. He will find a paper towel left out and bend down to clean the floor. He will find a grocery bag of sorts, put it on his shoulder and say "bye".

He loves to play outside which is tricky right now because it's so hot. He will throw fits if I close the door and don't let him out. Mean mommy. When in the yard, his favorite thing to do is go behind the house or garage out of sight, and his is quick! You sneaky little guy. He also loves the hose, who doesn't? He likes his cozy coupe car and any ball, of which we have plenty! He is learning to play golf already just by watching Austin with his plastic clubs. As soon as he hears music, he dances or bobs his head - it's hilarious! He also loves people - he will purposely try to make eye contact with random people in the grocery store or Target. It's so cute. He also loves looking at the pictures in frames throughout our house. It is looking like he is our extrovert and toddler who is not scared of much. He was scared, or should I say hesitant, about the fake talking man at the entrance to the restroom at Buc-ees, but who isn't? He did go through a couple of months where he cried and cried in our church kids room. But the past few times he has done much better - no tears!

Campbell, you are an energetic, spunky, and loving little boy. You sure keep all of us on our toes, our tippy toes. We love you little guy!