15 Month Newsletter

Dear Rory,

A few days ago, you turned 15 months old, but you've already developed the defiant attitude of a 15 year old. You want so badly to be you're own little independent person right now and you just love to push at the boundries we've tried to set up for you. (Notice the key word there is TRIED.)

I hate the fact that I'm constantly having to say NO NO NO to you all day long, but unfortunately, you haven't learned to distinguish between what is just fun to bug Mama with and what is actually dangerous. And being the total dare devil that you are, most of the things you find to get into these days have danger written all of over them. Like trying to climb up onto the oven door so you can turn on the stove (which is "child-proofed" by the way, but it's not like that actually STOPS you). Or trying to pull wires out of the wall and chew on them with your new mouthful of teeth. Or trying to "walk" down the stairs by yourself like a big person when your chunky little legs just aren't long enough yet so you go tumbling down head first. Or getting into our dishwasher and shoving knives in your mouth (see charming video of evidence below.)



Rory, you should know that there is only so much of this a mother can take in one day (one hour, one minute...) without wanting to tie you down to a chair to keep you safe from yourself. But since we obviously can't do that (can we????), then we should talk about trying to channel your abundant energy towards something else, like maybe putting you on a treadmill and having you provide the electricity for the entire city of Camarillo. Ha ha.

But on a positive note, you're ability to communicate has absolutely exploded this month. It's amazing to be able to say to you, "Hey Rory, let's go upstairs and get in the bath" and then actually have you get up and go! When that happens I feel like running out the door and shouting your praises to the neighborhood. You are also signing like a maniac (your latest signs are "milk", "thank you" and a Rory-version of "Where is it?"). You also have a bunch of new words that you say this month, including:
- Tree (pronounced "Tee")
- Please (pronounced "Peeeez" and only when prompted)
- Ball (or "A Ball" as you say it)
- Keys
- Fish (pronounced "FSHHHHH")

Besides trying to talk to us, your newest obsession this month is the Teletubbies. We Tivo it for you (thank God for Tivo!) and as soon as you hear the music come on, you run right over to TV, get as close to it as you can, and then smile and giggle as each Teletubbie pops up on the screen. You get so excited that you dance around in a circle and clap your hands. It's probably the cutest thing I've ever seen you do. (And it's the only way we can get you to sit still for longer than 2 minutes these days.)

So, you're a handfull. Okay, a BIG HANDFULL. But when you grab my face and give me a big slobbery kiss, or walk around the house wearing your Daddy's shoes, or chuckle a fake little laugh just because you hear us laughing and you don't want to be left out...well, I can't imagine loving you any more than I do right now.

Happy 15 months to my Busy Bee.

Love,
Mama