Growing and Learning

Lately, you have been blossoming with your vocabulary. It is so fun to watch you as you experiment with new sounds and words.

There had been a few days when you would say things and we would misinterpret what you were saying. It wasn't until last night that I realized what you were trying to say.

"Dame it" (dame as in Spanish for give me)

Whew. I had thought you were saying something else entirely. I'm glad you slowed down and reiterated what you were trying to express.

It is so fun teaching you new words. You pick things up so easily... and, though you may not repeat them right away, you do try to say them eventually.

Recently, you have also begun to assert your position. You no longer cry when big brother tries to do things you don't appreciate.

Two weeks ago, you were sitting in the living room watching tv when brother came in and tried to take the toy you were using. He made an attempt replacing it, but in the process must have pushed you. You grabbed his hair. When he did it again, you grabbed his hair again and hit him. (He was laughing, but I think he still got the idea that you are no longer going to accept his rude older brother behavior.)

Last week, you wanted to see the hamsters. When big brother wouldn't move from the stool, you yelled at him. He put his hand on your head, and you couldn't reach him. When you yelled again and it failed to yield a result, you simply moved in closer, grabbed him by the pants, and yanked as hard as you could. He flew in one direction, and you laughed.

That has put an end to his trying to boss you around and being authoritative, and mean.

You now play together so nicely. It's a lot of fun to see you both learning to play and interacting on a new level.

The Amazing Snow Monkey

We were told when we left the hospital with you that there would be things you would be slow at grasping as you grow and develop. They actually warned us you would be behind in some milestones, and that was okay because you were a "preemie".

So far, you have proven every one of those warnings wrong.

You were a little bit hesitant to walk. But you are a thinker. You have to think things out inside your head for a long time. Turn them over. Digest them fully. Then you will act on the thoughts. That is okay.

Today, you are a little over 15 months old. You walk. You chatter. You play jokes. You dance. You use 2 and 3-word phrases like they are natural for every child your age.

You bring mommy books to read to you before proclaiming "nigh-nigh" and going to your room for bed.

You are nothing short of amazing.

That's right, you are amazing, little Snow Monkey.

15 Months

I can't believe it's been 15 months since the little preemie that could busted his way out and joined the real world. 15 months. Wow.

It seems like just a short few weeks ago he was born, 6 weeks early. Scaring the bejeepers out of everyone, making us worry. Why do we do that, anyway? Why do we automatically think something just HAS to be wrong if things don't go as planned? (Clearly, nothing was wrong. He just got tired of life on the inside.)

Now, this amazing little miracle boy is 15 months old. He's a walking, talking, joking, dancing bundle of pure joy and sass. He is nothing short of absolutely amazing.

And we love him. With all of our hearts. Because he is the absolute best thing that could have come into our family at this time.

We watch daily as he and his older brother learn to interact with each other. They tease each other, take toys from each other, and sometimes blow up at one another. And it's all okay. It's all about letting them learn to interact in a positive and loving way... and only stepping in when they get a little out of hand.

At 15 months, the little Snow Monkey (as we lovingly call him) has 16 teeth, and we're pretty sure has more that are just waiting for the best opportunity to show themselves.

He talks... oh does he talk. Most of it is babble... but you can make out words a good part of the time, as well.  His list to date: mama, dada, tata, mommy, daddy, Bella, Alo, tablet, via, corky, John, Josie (Rosie), get it, play, love, you, go, do, nigh-nigh, no, book, hug, kiss.
Phrases he uses: get it, i love you, go play, soft kitty, do it.
Sign language terms: more, enough, milk
Spanish: zapato, ajo, hola

He walks everywhere he can... and sometimes crawls (he is much faster at crawling than walking, so sometimes he prefers it).

Watching this little guy use logic and reasoning skills is astounding. It is nothing short of amazing. Sometimes, to put it simply, he just blows me away.

He is at least on par with his brother... and it is frightening sometimes. We are really in for it later when they learn how important working as a team is going to be in life....