Dear Callan: Sweet 16

Dear Bubs-

Oh boy is mama behind. This past month you turned 16 months old and it was a doozy of a month. So much has happened and changed that it's hard to remember exactly what was different than the month before. 

You are a bonne fide toddler, always on the move, walking, running and climbing  and just like a stereotypical boy you love cars and trucks and everything goes "vroom, vroom" (including trains -we're working on you saying choo-choo). 

You also think you're older than you are and like to do things that the big boys do. At the playground you're always fascinated by them and watch them, ready to mimic whatever they're doing even if you're still too little. Your stubborn streak is still there (and growing), which is probably going to make the next few years very frustrating for all of us. 

You're still a great eater and sometimes the volume of food you put away makes me really nervous about feeding you as a teenager. You're great about trying new foods, but love your stand by favorites (like pasta, fruit and cheese). We're still working on your milk intake, but you're getting by and we're not too worried. However, your favorite thing right now is to drink from a  cup... the only problem is that when you're done drinking, you like to tip the cup over and empty the contents of it on yourself or the floor. You've also started doing that with your food. When you're done eating we are trying to teach you to leave your food on your plate or tray and just telling us you're done, rather than clearing your tray by dropping its contents on the floor.

This past month has also brought some changes to your routine. Your little buddy Luke moved to the suburbs and left you alone with Adelia. Although you LOVE Adelia, I think you're going to miss your little buddy. You guys have been together with Adelia for a year (ever since mama went back to work) and he's been your little play buddy since before you even knew the other existed. We're all going to miss Luke, but Luke's mama and I are making a promise to get together once a month so we can continue to watch you two grow and so you won't forget your first little buddy.

Munchkin, there is so much more to talk about and tell you, but for now this is all I got. Your smile and laugh are infectious and even though you're stubbornness is going to make mama go grey, it's amazing to watch you turn into this independent little boy. The good thing is that you still freely give out hugs and kisses because I know there's a day when that's going to end, but I'm hoping that's still a long ways away. I love when you come over and take me by the hand to show me something or to lead me to something you need help with... you're still my little baby and always will be, even when we're celebrating your real sweet 16 (which, p.s. do boys even do that or is that only girls?).

Happy 16 months munchkin. I love you and can't wait to see what else is in store for us.

Love,

Mama

So behind!

Gah, I'm so behind in posting... So stay tuned... I have posts lined up including munchkin's 16 month newsletter, Huge's birthday weekend in Napa/San Fran and Luke's last day. In the meantime, here's a video of Callan to tide you over. He's a one-man band!

Saturday with the boys

Today Callan and I had got a chance to hang out with Luke while his parents got some stuff done in preparation of their big move. Since Huge was busy, I figured there was safety in numbers and teamed up with Tara and Ellis to take the boys on a little adventure. 

(This is me with my hands full!)

The original plan was to take the boys to Millennium Park for a Wiggleworms (music) class, but first stop was for a little breakfast/snack at Do-Rite Donuts!

Here's Luke enjoying a little snack:

Callan was too busy eating his donut to look at the camera:

And then I was too busy eating my donut to get a picture of Ellis... oops.

Next we went to Millennium Park, but the Wiggleworms class was cancelled. In fact, the entire family tent was closed! However, since we had walked all the way there, we figured we would let the boys out and let them run around the Bean. Oh boy, that was an adventure! It was a good thing there were 2 of us because the boys did not want to stay together! Just when we'd get 2 together the 3rd would take off running in the opposite direction.

I think they had a good time running around and we even got them to sit for a picture together (sort of). This is pretty indicative of how the morning went, but it was a lot of fun and I got a workout out of it.

Ellis is up!

Uh oh, now Callan's up!

Luke's saying, "Callan, sit!"

Got it! (sort of)

They're not looking, but they're all happy!

(and now Luke's had enough)

After Luke got picked up, Callan, Tara, Ellis and I got some lunch at Macy's (another adventure with toddlers) and then had a leisurely walk home. Callan of course was a stinker and fell asleep on the walk home, but then didn't want to nap in his crib... so after all that running around he only got about a 45 minute nap.

Thanks Tara and Ellis for hanging out with us today. We had such a fun time!

He's going to break, break, break, break, break your heart

This kid has got some moves! Adelia said he figured out how to turn on the radio -I guess when he wants to dance, he wants to dance.

15 month well baby

Last week Callan had his 15 month well baby visit. And guess what? He's still growing like a weed. Haha, as if there was any doubt. He grew ANOTHER few inches and is still off the charts at almost 35"! He's only in the 70th percentile in weight though, tipping the scales at 25 lbs, 3 ounces.

Doesn't this kid look like a giant?

I can't believe how big he is, but he's really the best.  It's crazy to see how he's developing and changing. He still has a funny run, but now he's all about climbing and acting like a much bigger kid than he is! There were no other concerns, although I thought he should have more words, but the doctor said he was right on track. We'll see how much he progresses until his 18 month appointment.

Let's see at 15 months:

Foods:

Loves: watermelon, pasta, peas and crushed ice!

Dislikes: raw tomatoes, bell peppers and cantaloupe

Words:

This, bubbles, baby, ball, blueberry (sort of), banana (sort of), book, mama, dada (he's big on the "b" words), and hello (sort of)

Signs:

Help, please, thank you (sometimes), water, milk, cracker, bath, brush teeth, sleep

Sleep:

Down to one nap (which, lately has been a solid 2-3 hour one) and at night has been back to awesome (knock on wood, I'm hoping I didn't just jinx it).

It's pretty amazing to see him grow!

Dear Callan: yes, I'm still doing these

Dear Callan-
Yes, I'm still doing these, why do you ask? Oh because it's days after your month-aversary? Ya... sorry, I've been busy. I can't believe I've kept it up this long either, but I love taking a little time out to say how great you are. This month you turned 15 months. There's nothing particularly exciting about this month, but you've had a great one anyways.

Look at you sitting like a big kid in the park reading a book.

You are turning into this wild and crazy toddler, but you have this great gentle, sensitive side. You love babies (even though your dad is a little against it, I might have to break down and buy you a baby doll). You're really into real live babies and other kids in general. You squat down and like to take a good look at their faces. It's adorable, but some kids do get a little freaked out about you being in their space.

I talked last month about how you love helping. Your love of lifting and moving large/heavy objects continues, but you've also started making these really cute grunting noises when you're doing it. I'm not sure where you picked it up, but it's absolutely adorable. It's funny though, b/c sometimes you'll do it even when what you're holding/carrying isn't particularly heavy.

As part of your "helping" you love the broom and vacuum. Every day you go into our room where the vacuums are plugged in and you point and ask for them. The Roomba still makes you a little leery, but you love the handheld, although I think your favorite part is emptying it and then trying to put the pieces back together.

You also love helping to push the stroller. Adelia tells us how when you and Luke go on field trips, she alternates who gets to walk and who rides in the stroller. She says Luke always tries to run away, but you love to help push him along.



You still love the swings and the water. The park (finally) re-opened and you are in heaven. It has your two favorite activities and they illicit the biggest smiles/giggles from you.

It's been a million degrees out for days in a row so it's nice that you love the water and can go cool off there. There are a lot of older kids that go to the park and you L-O-V-E watching them and imitating them...

Standing directly under the spray was a "trick" you learned from a big kid.

You've really picked up the chatter this month and you've got a couple of more words in your repertoire and you've (finally) started saying dada and meaning it (rather than part of your string of babble). I feel like you're close on your talking, but who knows... it could be many more months.

Bubs, you are the best. I'm reminded all the time about how lucky I am and how blessed we are as a family. Although you can be this wild and crazy toddler, you are turning into this kind and gentle little boy. You take my hand to lead me around, or try to push my legs when I'm not moving in the direction you want or come running to give me a big hug... it's been an amazing time together.

Love,

Mama