15 months.

Dear Beck,

you are 15 BIG months old.  The last month has been a bit rough for our household, but not because of you.  We did have some fun in there too! 

We took our first plane ride with you.  We went to visit Nona's mom and dad in Colorado.  Beck, you were a dream on the plane.  I was so stressed out about the ride, but you were awesome.  You snacked and slept and gave us nothing to worry about.  We had a lot of fun visiting with family in CO.  The mountains were beautiful, but of course you are too young to appreciate them now.  You continued to be a good traveler and tolerated our many long car rides quite well.  We visited with a former co-worker of mine as well.  They have a little boy too, who is almost 2 years old.  You really enjoyed having a new playmate.  You slept well.  You ate well.  You bonded with Nona and G'pa.  It was good.  The only downside to the trip was that I caught norovirus somewhere along the way.  Was *very* ill on our second to last day.  We still managed to make it to the Exotic Animal Sanctuary on our last day and then flew home.  Your dad got sick that night.  You were mostly spared from that illness, but got a doozy of a cold the next week.  You are actually still sick now a week later and awoke with a fever this morning.  Poor pumpkin.  You are home with daddy today and I am at work.  I cannot lie, I feel guilty being here while you are not feeling well.  :(

We had your 15 month doctor visit just yesterday and you grew like a weed these last 3 months.  Well, in one direction anyway.  You grew 3 inches up!  But did not gain any weight.  Your doctor is not worried since you have been sick and you are still growing, but want us to try to fatten you up a bit and go back for a weight check in a few weeks.  We also discussed the fact that you are not talking yet.  You did start saying "dah" this week for dog.  Goodness, there is the Cesar dog food commercial that comes on during Pit Boss (yeah, we watch Pit Boss together during lunch) and you LOVE it. 



You watch and smile and look at me and smile and then look back.  Sometimes you say "dah."  It makes my heart MELT.  Anyway, your doctor is not worried about this either since you babble a ton and are learning new sounds and definitely understand what we are saying to you.  I am certain that once you start talking we will not be able to make you stop anyway.  :)

Although you recently took your first unassisted steps, you are not walking on your own regularly.  You prefer to cruise or crawl when you want to get somewhere quickly.  We convince you to practice once in a while and you showed off your skills a bit while we in CO for Nona and G'pa as well.  I am only eager for you to start walking so your hands and clothes would be less covered in dog hair and dirt since I am a terrible housekeeper these days.

We are still nursing, but it has dropped off some to only three or four times a day.  This has been entirely your choosing so I am okay with it.  I have hung up the pump this week as well.  Not quite sure how I feel about that yet, but it is nice to have one less bag to pack.  I am so proud that we have made it this long though.  I know it is what saved you from getting norovirus with the rest of us.  Family still sometimes asks when we will stop and I think that is mostly because I am the first in the family to breastfeed longer than 3 months.  I am in no rush, little man. 

I have a feeling there are big things coming our way soon.  But then I think I have been saying that for awhile now.  :)  Hopefully, we can all just stay healthy (get healthy!) for the next month or so.

Love and kisses,
Momma