Rock a bye-bye baby.

Oliver is over 15 months old now. The inevitable truth that my baby is growing up hits me every day like a ton of bricks. Seldom will he let me rock him to sleep or love on him for more than 10 seconds at a time. But, with his new toddlerhood, comes new life, new adventures, and, of course, lots of fun. In my time as a mommy of toddler Oliver, I am trying to not wish for the past, or the future, but embrace each stage as it comes. He has definitely grown up a lot over the past couple of months. He is SO full of life, and usually demands attention from any willing (and sometimes unwilling) observers when he enters a room. He is afraid of almost nothing, and knows no strangers. His personality is budding into a myriad of traits including funny, affectionate, friendly, stubborn, and strong willed. He rarely, if ever, sits still and is FULL of energy. However, lately, he has begun to snuggle for video time with mommy or daddy. We LOVE that! Here are some of his accomplishments/activities over the past several months:

-Started to walk at 13 months. Started running soon after.

-Has an ever expanding vocabulary and has recently started saying 2-3 word phrases. His favorite word, BY FAR, is truck. We didn't teach him to love trucks over any other things, but he is obsessed with them. Other words he has mastered include Da-da, Ma-ma, Papa, Gigi (gug), cup, more (ma), duck, dog, truck, ball....did I mention truck? Oh, and I do use the word "mastered" very lightly.

-Loves to say "cheers" and click his sippy cup against your glass at mealtime. Daddy taught him this one.

-LOVES to be outside more than anything. He stands at the door and whines (or wails) to go out.

-LOVES the water.

-Has become very affectionate. Loves to gives "love" to mommy and daddy, will point to his baby brother and give him love, and has become affectionately attached to his frog lovie, Wendall.

-Loves to make his signature "funny face" and usually does so on demand.

-Still needing two naps a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each lasting about an hour and a half. I am in no hurry to give this up.

-Starting to learn, and very interested in using utensils.

-Has 8 teeth and, is currently (God grant me patience, please) cutting FIVE more, including three molars.

-Stats: 25 pounds (65th %tile) and 32 inches (83rd %tile)

He is such a JOY. We love you Oliver!