t-minus 3 months.

 i'm counting down until the beast can go into nursery at church. 18 months seems ages away, but on that day we will celebrate and rejoice for the peace it will bring us. the man is now 15 months old. {i used to hate how people put their kids ages in months, funny how things change.... a year and 3 month, for those who hate it like i did}and he is large and in charge.

this past month has been a whirlwind for the man. after finally learning to walk, he took off. it took a week of the frankenstein arms, but then he was good. he rarely falls down and refuses to hold our hands now when walking unless it's on unsteady ground.

things that he loves/does now: 

- he still LOVES his blankie. he now refuses to be taken out of his bed in the morning without his blankie and 4 ft shark.
- he LOVES animals. no matter what size. {giant dog, cats, pigeons, sheep} he will shout with joy, attack them and want to cuddle. he has been licked in the face by several giant dogs and he thinks it's hilarious.  

outside our apartment is quite the animal area. the pigeons are a big hit for him, someday when he can run, it will be hilarious. we also have a cat, who drives both him and snickers crazy, as he can never  pet her, and she seems to sit outside our window taunting the cat who is not allowed outside.

- he can say quite a few words now, including "momma" "dad" "sippy" "bankie" "titty" "booooo"- book "pppppppp"- up "reat"- treats "key" "teef"- teeth "hiya" "buh-bye". he is very talkative and give you a whole conversation if you talk to him.
- he is beginning to play by himself and i love it. no longer do i need to entertain him all the time, he can do it himself for a little while. he loves to play with him farmhouse and all the animals in it, put things in drawers/trash/toilets, ride his dinosaur, mix stuff in pots and pans etc etc.
- he is OBSESSED with buttons. on anything. elevators, air conditioning units, remotes, microwaves, phones, keyboards... he just wants to push them all. 

since we live past the elevator, this is what our walk to and from the car looks like everyday. 

- he is very independent. we have been to giant play places and he could care less if he leaves us. he does not look back or even try to find us for at least 30 minutes. it is awesome, but does make me a wee bit sad. 
- he loves to put things on his head/around his neck. besides hats. which is very obnoxious, but it's so cute. 

- he still wears size 3 shoes. which are for 6-9 month olds. he might have the littlest fattest feet i've ever seen on a 15 month old
- he LOVES mexican food. he will eat almost half a can of refried beans, just scooping them into his mouth off his tray or off the tortilla chip, he also loves tacos, quesadillas, chili beans and salsa.
- he is a very good helper. he usually unloads his bottom drawers and puts them all in his dirty clothes bucket about every other day or so. he will also unload the silverware out of the dishwasher whether it's clean or dirty. but he does know how to put his toys away in the bath and in his bucket, throw his diapers in the trash,and wipe down his high chair when he's finished eating so we are training him well.
- he still loves sesame street. mom can get a ton of cleaning done during that hour. it's fantastic.

as busy as he is now that he can move and reach and get into things, i love this stage of independence he has. being able to understand him {somewhat} and him understanding me is beginning to make life much easier. hurrah for babies big kids!