Dear Thaddeus @ Fifteen Months!

Dear Thaddeus:

Happy 15-Month Day! I cannot believe you are 15 months . . . I honestly feel like just yesterday you were snuggled into my neck and your feet reached just to the bottom of my ribcage. Now, they are hanging down mid-thigh. At the same time it seems like you have always been with us. You have made yourself an integral and irreplaceable member of the family. Your daddy and I delight in you every day. You ease my life, Sweet Boy.

Right now you are changing before our eyes. You had your first haircut a few days ago. Nana took just a little off the back—you were looking like a redneck Christopher Lloyd J So now you look even more like your daddy. Put you in the uniform—a pair of khakis, button-down shirt and loafers—and Daddy has his own Mini-Me!

You are solidly walking now, too. When Daddy walks in the door you run to him! It’s been several days since I’ve seen you drop to a crawl and so I know you are well and truly an ambulatory convert. I got you a pair of tennis shoes and you weren’t sure about them at first. They are stiff, heavy and more confining than the Robees, but you beg for them now so we can walk up and down the block.

Nana took you for your first non-stroller walk and it was hard to get you back into the house. The following days you would pound on the door and call “Nananana! Nana! Nananana!” So she would tell you to get your shoes and off you would go. You couldn’t get out that door fast enough! When we come upon uneven pavement, you stop, explore the uneven bit with your toe and then “climb” the piece of pavement. All of this with a lot of cheerleading from us!

Speaking of Nana, she visited for a week and after a few days you were glad to have your partner in crime back in residence. Daddy and I had to watch her or she would give you sugar and spoil you! When she went down to her room you would walk over to the door and pound on it while calling for her. She didn’t get as much down (smoking) time as she tried! You watched the first NASCAR race of the season together (sigh . . . ). She helped us get you sleeping in your own crib for your naps AND at night.

Sleep. Oh how I love sleep. Oh how I wish you would love it, too! You are doing better and better. As a matter of fact, this last week you would lie down and go back to sleep if I just said to you, “NightNight, Thad. Love the Piggy.” (Piggy, a life-size floor pillow that Daddy got you on your first birthday, now resides in the crib and has made nighttime soooo much better!) Three times I didn’t have to get up; I just had to reassure you verbally and back to sleep you went. Bless you, Son. Bless you, bless you, bless you.

You are becoming more verbal. I would say you understand a high percentage of what we say to you. When asked, you will point to eyes, ears, nose and mouth (though you haven’t spoken them yet). You will tell us what sound a cow, a kitty, a piggy, a chicken and a tiger make. You say “yea,” “Dad” or “Dada,” “Mom” or “Mama” (although you love to tease me by calling me Dada while looking right at me! I smile at you and say “Mama! I’m MAMA!” and you just grin at me! Turkey!).

You also understand no and yes—in that order! I guess I have been shaking my head negatively when telling you “Off limits,” because now you will start shaking your head no when reaching for something off limits—with a smile on your face, of course! Last week you started toward the CD shelves, got about two feet from them, started shaking your head no, did a U-turn and smiled at me. You let us know if you don’t want something or respond to an offer with a shake of your head. I’m grateful you are not shouting it at me . . . yet. You do shake your head yes occasionally, but more often you just grab what is offered or launch yourself at what you want.

You also understand the phone. You will go over to it, bend very close and call “Dada! Dada!” So we will call Dada and you will click! And ork! And Mmph! at him on the phone while walking around with the phone in your hand.

You have some fun new toys since your birthday. You love your activity cube and enjoy trying to figure out what all the sides can do. You also love your Little People Farm and have literally spent hours playing with the animals and the farmer and working all the sounds. Joy! You continue to love music and our new favorite CD is Sandra Boynton’s “Philadelphia Chickens” which includes performances by Meryl Street, Kevin Bacon & the Bacon Brothers and Laura Linney. Your favorite songs right now are “Cows,” “The Belly Button Song” and “Please Can I Keep Him?”

You also sing and dance! Just three opening notes and your feet start moving and hips start going a bit. You will sing or hum along. You often will pat your hand to the beat or wave your arms in time. You definitely have your groove going! And your drumming continues to get better and better!

You are an affectionate little boy. You freely hug those you know and love. You often pat my back when I am holding you. We also have several “cheek-to-cheek” moments throughout the day. You hold the side of my face to yours and we just stay there for 10 seconds or so. I had no idea heaven could be experienced in just 10 seconds, but it can.

In short, Thaddeus, you just keep getting more delightful, fun, loving and lovable, cuter and dearer with each passing month. I could write 1000 more words on all the wonders of you. Your daddy and I rejoice in your every developmental milestone and new discovery and we look forward to watching you grow, God willing.