FIFTEEN months old!

All week I have had it in my head that I needed to do Maverick's 16 month update and have been telling people since the 22nd that he is 16 months old, yet when I sat down and thought about it tonight and began to write this, I now realize he is only 15 months old, and I basically just gained a month back with him that I never even knew I lost. So THAT was exciting!

Maverick John is now 15 months old and I guess I probably say this every month but he truly captures all of our hearts more and more as the days go by. He is, by far, on of the most lovable, huggable, cuddliest and happiest toddlers I know. He is at this super fun stage that I remember from Tula where it is BEFORE the "terrible twos" where the tantrums begin, but after that baby stage where he can't do much. Every day is something new, and its usually words. And to be able making progress in the communication department with your child is such a wonderful feeling. It feels like unwrapping a gift you have had sitting in front of you your entire life. With every new word that comes out of his mouth, I realize that there is an understanding behind it, and that he is able to somewhat communicate his thoughts to me, although they are so simple, it just feels like I finally get a glimpse inside this precious package I have waited forever to know its contents.

New words this month? There are lots. But the fun thing is, this month it's not all nouns. He isn't just going around naming things. These are fun new words. like a big "Noooo" to Tula (sometimes even with a headshake) if she does something he doesn't like like take a toy from him or push or pull at him. Tonight he asked for "ka-kow" while they were watching Mickey before bed, this is popcorn. John came downstairs to get me just come come up and listen to Mav say it over and over and over, begging for popcorn. He says "hot" very dramatically to anything that actually is, and always tries to blow on his food if I say its hot now. Sometimes when he is hugging me or snuggling me he just says "mama" over and over. When we say "No More Monkeys..." he shakes his finger like I do and tries to shake his head. He also likes to shake his head "yes" and always looks so cheerful doing it with his great big smile.

One of Maverick's favorite activities right now is brushing his teeth. Except for that he is the only one allowed to touch the toothbrush. He loves to climb up onto the stool that Tula brushes her teeth at and stand there with the water running, dipping mine or Daddies toothbrush under that water and sucking any toothpaste flavor off of it. That's his version of brushing his teeth, and he can spend long stretches of time entertaining himself with this activity. Maverick loves to play dress up with his sister, his favorite thing to wear is the fireman coat and boots, and his dinosaur costume from Halloween. He will do anything for a laugh and sometimes after I help him get a costume on he just runs around with a big grin on his face trying to get people to laugh at him. Maverick likes to give high fives now. He loves to wrestle with Daddy, he is such a rough and tumble boy and loves to be tossed around a bit. Loves to be tickled, screams with delight and does his big, deep laugh. Maverick loves his Black and Decker tool set he got for his birthday and anytime we bring those out he has to carry at least one of them in his hand all day long. This month he fell in love with the flashlight, and got especially excited when i showed it to him in his cabinet and made that big black hole light up. That night, he wanted to take the flashlight on our walk and was fascinated with how it lit up and brightened things outside. Mav is always so intrigued with anything that has a function, how it operates and works. If there is a wheel spinning, he is bent over staring figuring out what's making it move like that. Maver still LOVES his bottle at nap and bedtime, and gets to watch a little tv at those times as well that he thoroughly enjoys. HIs sleeps routine is usually the same as Tula now, only napping once a day. He will have a little one in the morning if we are out and about in the car, but his big nap in the afternoon he takes the same time as his sis so they get to watch an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (what did I ever do before my DVR?) and then goes for a snuggle in his room on his rocking chair with a bottle. I toyed with the idea of trying to take his bottle from him this month, but he loves it and it makes nap and sleep time so much easier, the pain it would cause is not worth that gain at this point, so he is still getting one. Maverick loves to chase his sister around the house, and loves even more when she chases him. They play together so, so much right now. They have started fighting a bit over the usual stuff, mostly toys. Tula is still pretty bossy and pushy but Mav is figuring out he is bigger so her gig is almost up.

One thing I am realizing that is very different with Maverick than I had it with Tula is that we really don't know anyone his age. With Tula, we were connected to few different Momm groups with kids born within a few months of Tula. There were lots of comparisons, forewarnings of what to expect, and learning from each other. And although I remember all of the stages we went through with Tula, it is impossible to remember the order. I guess it just makes it interesting with Mav, everything is a guessing game and we never know what to expect next. When it happens, when we hit the "next stage" we remember them all, but we just never know what to expect. For example, Mav has blown me away with his talking this month. I mean, I knew it was coming, I knew it was next on the list, but I just wasn't expecting it so on, and the words he comes up with makes it seem like its happening so much faster than it really is. To be honest, as much as I love my friends with kids the same age Tula and all the love and fun they bring into our life, its fun to have one that doesn't really have anyone to compare to, and every month brings a new surprise of his own. Keeps Mommy on my toes, thats for sure.