15 Months Old

Last week Abram turned 15 months old!  And he had his check up Wednesday.  He did very well this time.  He only cried when the doctor had to examine/touch him and right when they did his shots.  Other than that he played, threw/stepped on toys, climbed on the stool, etc.  Abram used to be our big boy.  But as he gets more and more active he's becoming our little peanut.  He weighs 22 lbs. 12 oz. (25th%).  That is only up 4 oz. since his 12m check up.  And only up about 1 lb. since he was 9 months old!  He has grown a bit, though.  He is now 30.5 in. tall (25th%).  His head is 18.5 in. (50th%).

Just for comparison:

Abram:   22 lbs. 12 oz., 30.5"
Rebecca: 23 lbs. 14 oz., 31"
Mary:      22 lbs. 12 oz., 32.75"
Justin:     21 lbs. 8 oz.,   30" (estimated)

Abram does not let his size get in the way.  He is always on the go and wants to be involved in whatever is going on...especially whatever Rebecca is doing.  Abram still loves to climb everything.  He has now figured out how to pull the dining room chairs out (we have them pushed in/manipulated so he can't climb on them...at least we did) so he can climb on them.  We have to have a very keen ear, listening for chairs sliding, if we are not in the room with him.

Abram is developing very well mentally also.  He has at least 20 words now.  The doctor said he is a few months ahead of where he should be.  It's hard for us to judge where he's at since Rebecca was almost talking in full sentences at this age :P  One thing we have noticed is that Abram has great reasoning/comprehension skills for his age.  He already knows the motions to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," "Only a Boy Named David" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider."  He can also follow directions amazingly...the first time you tell him (actually the first time you tell Rebecca to do something...he does it instead of her :P).

Abram runs to the bathroom if you say it's time to go potty, brush teeth or do bath.  He waits by the stairs if you say it's quiet time (for Rebecca...but he loves to go up the stairs with her).  If it's time to "go" he brings each person their shoes and then waits to have his put on.  If you tell Rebecca to go to timeout he runs there and sits down before she gets there.  If you ask him if he needs to be changed he goes to the changer and pulls on his diaper.  Sometimes he does this to let us know he's wet or dirty!  Maybe potty training will be easy with him.

Mary walks with Abram every afternoon for his nap.  When it's about nap time she'll ask if he's ready to go "night night."  He gets the Moby and lays it at Mary's feet and stands there waiting.  He still loves to sit in his bouncy seat too.  Especially when he's tired.

Abram LOVES to clean.  He has quite an obsession with the vacuum.  If we get it out he squeals, makes vacuum noises and runs to get his own.  Abram likes to find "yuckies" on the floor and put them in the trash.  If you say something is messy he finds the nearest towel or napkin and starts wiping the floor/whatever is around him.  And he doesn't like to be messy himself.  If he has something on his hands or face he finds a napkin or towel to wipe them.  Abram is a great helper when it comes to toy clean up as well.

Eating is still a bit of a challenge with Abram.  He's very particular and likes variety.  He'll eat a big meal of something one day...then won't touch it again for weeks.  He goes through phases with his foods.  Right now he seems to like cheese, blueberries and bananas.  But that could change tomorrow.  A couple weeks ago he couldn't get enough peas.  Now he won't touch a single pea.  We have to try about 10 different foods at each meal and he still only eats one or two bites many times. 

Abram also likes to spit food out.  Usually after the second or third bite of a particular food he is sick of it and will spit it out.  If he's in his high chair (which isn't often since it lasts about 5-10 min. max on good days) he then starts throwing all of his food on the floor.  He won't eat anything that resembles baby food/that comes on a spoon.  You can't even get a spoon near his mouth.  He is a big fan of smoothies.  He thinks it's fun to drink from a straw.  Some days that's the only way to get him to "eat" fruits and vegetables.

The ongoing teething has not ended.  His one-year molars are pretty much all through.  But now he's working on his eye teeth.  The first one has emerged.  He has been a big slobbery mess and not sleeping well lately.  At least now we know why.

Abram is still our early riser (especially when he's teething!).  On good days he'll sleep to 7 or a little after.

Abram also still has pretty severe stranger and separation anxiety.  The ped said it can last until 18-22 months.  So we may have to deal with it for a while yet.  On a positive note he did stay in the nursery at church last Sunday for a good portion of the service.  I think it helped that Rebecca was there too.  He did cry a fair amount, but it must not have been too bad.  They didn't come get us.

Abram adores Rebecca.  He wants to be involved in whatever she is doing.  Rebecca doesn't particularly care for it.  But Abram thinks it's great.  They love to chase each other around the house (Abram is quite speedy now), especially if Abram takes a toy from Rebecca.  They can get quite silly.  Rebecca can make Abram laugh more than anyone.  He copies everything she does...good or bad.

Hugging...

Abram stealing Rebecca's book...

Rebecca took the book back.

There is always so much to say about our fun, active, little boy.  He's growing and developing well.  He's got a big personality and knows what he wants.  Abram is very sweet and loving.  He loves to give hugs and kisses.  If you say "I love you" he puckers up and leans in for a kiss.  He greets Justin with squeals and hugs every day when he comes home from work.  We are so thankful for our little blessing and love watching him learn and grow.