Do We Have a Toddler?

Well, well, well...look who's back.  Contrary to popular belief, I have not fallen off the face of the earth - I simply went back to work.  I can tell you right now that I'm going to feel the need to summarize the entirety of the past two months thus creating a disjointed and longwinded novel.  Therefore, I'll start with the present and work as far back as I have the energy  :)

In current news - we have a 15 month old!  While his gross motor skills do not yet meet the definition of a 'toddler' I'm pretty sure his attitude does.

You know that laid-back, chill, go-with-the-flow baby I've written about in the past?  Well, he moved out.

He has been replaced with an independent, sweet yet stubborn little boy.   Don't get me wrong - I love his independence.  Eli, literally, does not know a stranger.  Last week it was the jeweler who Eli wanted to be held by.  The week before that it was the strangers across the aisle on the plane.

He sat on this man's lap for at least 10 minutes.  Then he reached for the lady by the window.  They read a magazine.

He is not particularly bothered by being left with a babysitter or at the nursery.  Sometimes when we are all in the living room he will grab a toy and drag it back to his room to play by himself.  But then....

Come the times when he wants to be held, played with, fed, or allowed to do something he's not supposed to. And when he doesn't get his way? 

I imagine these are the things that are frustrating about being a 15 month old:
- Mom is holding a steak knife.  I sign please.  Mom tells me 'no'.  BUT I SIGNED PLEASE!?!
- I know and can understand 40+ words, but I can only sign/say 5 words.  Why can't they understand what I want???
- Mom and dad spent all those months encouraging me to roll over, scoot, crawl, and sit up.  Now they want me to just lay still to get my diaper changed???  Hypocrites.

Eli backed out on his hair cut last Saturday.  I.  JUST. CAN'T CUT. THEM. 

At 15 months Eli walks with assistance, takes about 6 independent steps, says car, vroom, and truck, signs more, please and all done, has 10 (almost 12) teeth including his molars, has learned to point (and use the iPad).  At his 15 month appointment, Eli was in the 5% for weight and 47% for height.  He wears 6-12 month pants (they finally fit!) and 12-18 month shirts. 

I have this innate sense that naptime is coming to a close - so I'll make it snappy.  Here is a photo summary of the past two months.  Enjoy!

Eli loves to play and is ALWAYS moving!

Freedom!!!

My friends make the cutest babies.

Daddy's old stompin' grounds.  Team Haley Hobbs represent!

He will climb in his chair and read forever - after he gets situated which takes...forever.

Let's pretend he did this for the entire flight.

Oh how I wish this picture had sound.  His 'stories' are the best.

His favorite perch.  So many cars and trucks to point out!