Time for a check-in … first for the vital stats: at 15 months old, I weigh 23.8 pounds, I’m 31 inches tall, and my head circumference is 19.5 inches (in other words, between the 50th-75th percentile for height and weight, and above the 95th percentile for head size).

Oh, and I’m officially a walker!  I took my first real unassisted steps at a little more than 14.5 months of age, on December 10, 2016.  While I love the  independence afforded me by my ability to toddle around, my favorite thing in the world is still being carried.  If I manage to make eye contact with one of my parents then I usually take the opportunity to ask “Ah-pee?  Ah-pee?  Ah-pee?”  My vocabulary continues to expand, too.  I have a total of about 17 words (new ones include baby, mouth (“mow”), Minnie (“Mimmie!”), and ow.

I’m mostly giggles and smiles, but I’m certainly not a pushover, and everyone in the family (including brother Jack!) has been learning to navigate my emerging toddler attitude.  I have been significantly better about letting Mommy and Daddy change my diaper, but I always communicate my feelings to those in charge, and still won’t hesitate to howl if I’m not pleased with a given situation.

In general I’ll eat anything that doesn’t eat me first, and my favorite foods include grilled cheese (any cheese, really), yogurt, peanut butter & jelly, bananas, and blueberries.  The stomach bug that hit the entire family over the holiday break got me worst of all, however, and I wound up vomiting 12 times in as many hours.  As a result, Mommy and Daddy have allowed me to keep my nighttime bottle just a LITTLE bit longer, and I’m still sucking down 4-6 oz of milk before bedtime each night.  I’m enjoying it while it lasts!

Current likes: My bottle

Current dislikes: stomach viruses!

Happy holidays, everybody!  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this season, since I’m finally old enough to grasp the whole present situation.  I’ve learned all of the words to Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Deck the Halls, and the Dreidel Song, and I enjoyed every night of Hanukkah candle lighting.  And although I was patient zero for a vicious stomach virus that took our whole family out over winter vacation, it seems to have impacted me least of all.  I sat up in bed one night, spontaneously vomited gyro meat and chocolate ice cream a few times, and then watched as my family members succumbed one by one to a more acute version of the same illness.  We’re all on the path to a full recovery, but I don’t think Mommy will be ordering gyros any time soon …

I’ve recently discovered a fascination with phonics, and spent most of the past month asking grown ups what letter various words start with.  I’ve got a pretty good ear for sounding things out myself, although I’d rather quiz the big people in my life.  I’m not crazy about taking a guess and being wrong.  I’m also not crazy about losing in general, and Mommy has discovered that a good way to motivate me to do just about anything is to turn it into a race I can win.  This applies to getting dressed in the morning, eating certain foods, etc.  I’m still working on my sportsmanship, however, and I sometimes get unduly upset at the prospect of being “last.”  Mommy frequently explains to me that there’s nothing wrong with being the final car in line at the Starbucks drive-thru (“we’re not last, we’re just next, right, Mom?”).

I have very limited screen time, but I saw my first animated feature over the holiday season: Toy Story.  I loved it, and am now obsessed with all things Woody and Buzz.  I’ve also developed an affinity for Seinfeld, which is sometimes on TV in the background when I come home from school at night.  I’m singularly fascinated by the antics of George and Kramer, and sometimes I’ll race into the kitchen to update Mommy on the plot or to tattle on characters who are behaving poorly (“Elaine called somebody ugly Mommy, and that’s not nice!”).

Current likes: When George and Kramer get angry

Current dislikes: Having people look at me when I’m upset

Eight nights, eight lights!

Sending wishes for health, peace, and prosperity in 2017 – from our family to yours.

A rare moment of peaceful sibling affection