Whitney Rose: 15 Months Old

...These pictures are in reverse chronological order and I don't have time to change it.  Newest first...

Daddy taught me that the remote can be used as a pretend telephone

Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I'm sure.

Pushing my wagon loaded with a few of my favorite things

I still believe I can fit in this.  I like to be pulled around the house in it.

The couch is comfy!

TICKLE!

Relaxin'

Watching Mickey.  It's my new favorite pastime but they won't let me do it all the time like I beg them to.

Workin' on my walkin'.  Yes, that is a bandaid on my leg.  15 month shots.

Selfie with Daddy

Walking down the street with Mommy

Feeling fancy today.

A hat that Mommy's friend made.  Too bad my head is so big.

Playing at the park

Mommy made playdough.  I was less than thrilled.

All I wanted to do was carry the cream of tartar around and wear the cookie cutters as bracelets!

See?

Welp?  What can I say?  Daddy dressed me.

Like this?

Or like this?

Visiting the zoo

First time at the library.  Being chased by a boy.

Interested in the tigers

Checking in on Henry, the bear I adopted

That's my boy!

Preparing for Halloween a few days early

This girl has a PB fetish

Oh dear.  The mess.

Catch me if you can!

Learning to walk

Setting up my picnic

Would you like some tea?  Wearing the Christmas dress Mommy found at GoodWill. 

Dear Whitney,

You are walking full-time now!  On the evening of October 25^th, you were in your bedtime silly mode and you and I were in Mommy and Daddy’s bedroom.  You were wearing Daddy’s old t-shirt.  It has a bee on it that looks like a superhero or something.  Seemed like it gave you the confidence you needed to start walking.  It was so fun to watch the light bulb go on for you.  Your expression of excitement and awe as you kept putting one foot in front of the other is something I’ll never forget.  That night, you kept walking all around the house for about an hour straight.  It was such a great memory for me! 

Now you like to walk up and down the sidewalk, get the mail with Mommy, walk on the playground and on the play structures.  You don’t like the swings as much anymore because you just want to be walking around checking out the other kids at the park. 

You are a social butterfly—we get a kick out of watching you talking non-stop to older kids, following them around on the playground.   I think that in your mind, you are a lot older than you really are.  You would much rather socialize with older kids than younger babies!  

You have SO MUCH to say all the time now.  New words this month—keys and “uh uh”.  Your favorite words to say are bye-bye, uh-oh, baby, and all gone/done.

You like to sit on Mommy or Daddy’s lap at the computer desk and help color with crayons on the paper we tape to the desk for you. 

You love to dance—to songs on movies, the grocery store speakers, your sing along books...it’s one of the highlights of this past month, for sure!

You’ve all of a sudden become interested in watching television--PBS kid shows, Mickey Mouse Club, and Winnie the Pooh.  The other day, I said, “Whitney, do you want to play with toys?”—to which you responded, “Uh uh!” (shaking your head no).  I followed, “Do you want to read books with Mama?”—again, you told me, “Uh uh!”  When I asked, “Do you want to watch Mickey Mouse?” you were SO EXCITED.  With the biggest grin and squealing with joy, you trotted off toward the TV and tried to turn it on.  Oh my goodness. 

You love getting up on the couch lately, too.  You like to slide off of it and say, “Weeee!”  Sometimes, you totally relax for a few seconds as you realize, hey, this is comfy!—but then you get busy again J   

You’ve suddenly picked up the concept of “no”.  You don’t say “no” yet, but you say, “Uh uh!” and shake your head.  The tantrums have increased quite a bit this month, too, I might add.

On the flip side, you’ve also become more affectionate.  I’ve been rocking you to sleep quite often because you’re teething (I feel lots of sharp new teeth in there) and fussier than usual.  That’s the only time you lay your head on my shoulder.  I’m soaking it up.  You love to give Mommy and Daddy kisses on the lips.  You even gave Aunt Devon and Uncle Jack kisses when they visited us a few days ago.  And you let Auntie rock you to sleep.  You are such an independent little girl, but you surprise and delight us with the affection you give.

You are still a really picky eater (mostly when it comes to vegetables).  You’re very particular about textures and colors.  Sometimes, you will only eat certain colors of the mixed veggies set before you.  That is, if you eat veggies at all (many days, you want nothing to do with them).  The first bite of a new food (or one that you haven’t had in a while) always worries you.  You swat food with authority.  Often.  Mommy keeps trying…someday you’ll be more adventurous with food.  One food that you’ve grown especially fond of this month is peanut butter on bread.  At the sight of the jar of Jiffy, you start to whine for it.  You also loved the healthy muffins I made last weekend with flaxseed, walnuts, dates and pineapple.  Holding the whole muffin in your hands, you gobble it up.  You also like strawberries, bananas and grapes.  And black olives, beans, and meat.  You like eating off of Mommy’s apple, but you won’t eat it if I chop it up for you.  You don’t drink as much goat’s milk anymore—just two servings instead of three, like you used to.  Nowadays, you can be found with your straw cup (also a new thing introduced this month) clutched in the crook of your arm, sipping water all day.  These are the food-related things I can think of off the top of my head…

It’s been a full and wonderful month with you.  You are growing and changing so fast.  We love you so much, Sweetheart!  Our babbling, bubbly, bumbling blondie girl!