STATS FOR 15-month checkup: Height: 31 in. (70% percentile) | Weight: 24 lbs. (70% percentile) | Head Circumference: 19 in. (96% percentile)
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT: She doesn’t visit the doctor until her 18-month checkup so I guessed/measured as best I could: Height: 33 in. | Weight: 26 lbs. | Head Circumference: 19.25 in.
She’s been walking since she was 10 1/2 months. She has one speed – FAST. She loves to run, jump, twirl in circles, dance, and climb onto furniture. She can walk up stairs, but not down yet. She can build a tower of blocks, tupperware, and cans of food and she gets REALLY excited when they get really tall. Haha
CLOTHING: She still fits in 12-18 months, but most of her outfits are 2T. I just purchased these adorable gladiator sandals from Target and they’re a size 7! Granted, they’re a little big on her, but sheesh, she’s got some big feet. haha
730-8am: rise and shine!
8am: breakfast w/ milk (5-6 oz.)
10am: snack
1130am: lunch w/ milk (8-9 oz.)
1230pm-230pm: nap time
3pm: snack
530pm: dinner
630pm: bathtime
730pm: snack
8pm: milk (7 oz.)
830pm: brush teeth, pray, and bedtime
She’s great about taking her naps (which are about 1-2 hrs) and her bedtime routine. She’s been sleeping through the night since she was about 4 months. When she sleeps, I just put her in her crib, give her a kiss, and tell her it’s time to sleep. Then I leave the room and she puts herself to sleep. She’s still in a crib and I don’t plan on transitioning her into a toddler bed until she’s at least 2 (just so I can keep her “caged” in for a little longer and know she won’t get into everything in her room…haha).
FEEDING CHALLENGES: Getting her off the bottle for her milk was harder than expected. I introduced the sippy cup (and I tried many different kinds/brands) for her A.M. and P.M. meals, but it only worked for a couple days. One day, I decided we would try the straw and it worked (but not without some trial and error)! We tried a Mickey Mouse kiddie cup which only worked once or twice. So, I gave her a regular straw with a regular glass cup so she could see the milk. I held the cup while she sipped it and there was A LOT (and I mean A LOT) of over-the-top praising every time she took a big gulp. And she loved it. She loved the praising and her accomplishment of being a BIG GIRL. Praise Jesus! LOL Now, when she hears “straw” and “milk” she yells with excitement and says “yes!”
FOOD CHALLENGES: To this day, she will NOT eat bananas, avocados or anything with a similar texture unless you mix it into something else (i.e. a smoothie). Also, she will NOT eat protein by itself so I chop it into teeny tiny bites and mix it into her rice or soup. I tend to feed her the protein first (with rice or in a soup) and then I give her a plate of her veggies, starches, and/or diary because she has no problem gobbling this up 🙂 There she is being self-sufficient with her utensils haha
PLAY TIME: I’ve seen her “feed” her bears Cheerios and other snacks. And other times, I see her talking to them, then hugging them and giving them kisses. Also, she’s got a little kitchen of her own and will often bring over her spoon and pan while I’m cooking to “help cook” as well. She adds her own condiments and then stirs her pot of make believe food and even does smelling/taste tests. It’s hilarious. Does this count as make believe or role playing?!?! She plays hide and seek, peek-a-boo, and searches for hidden objects too. Her current loves are puzzles, balls, music toys and anything with drawing/coloring.
HELPING OUT: She is so willing and excited to help out around the house! I often times include her with everything I do so she feels important and a part of the process. Plus, it’s a great way for her to learn. Every week after grocery shopping, it’s her job to unload the Powerade we buy and place it in the frig. She also helps me unload the dryer so I can fold the laundry and I’ve also seen her “mopping/vacuuming” at my parent’s house. Haha This will definitely be useful in a few years!
LANGUAGE: Her vocabulary has blown up in the past month or so. She knows how to say about 40 words and definitely understands my commands (i.e. blow a kiss, say bye, pick up the toy and bring it here, sit down in your chair, etc). She can identify a lot of objects/animals/body parts and even makes animal noises for some of them. She can answer my questions and/or point to the correct object/person such as “Marli, would you like your milk now? Or where is Uncle?” I read to her all the time and now, she even “reads” to me, which is always a a bunch of jibberish. And lastly, when she wakes up in the morning, she starts talking right away in her crib and plays with her animals. This can go on for like 30+ minutes (which is always great because that’s an extra 30 min of sleep for me)! When I hear her call “mama” then I know she’s ready to get out and start her day Haha
(1) give her room to explore but set boundaries and stay consistent with your rules
(2) be patient and explain in simple terms
(3) downplay the tantrums and redirect her to something else **
(4) always praise and emphasize good behavior!
**When she has a little meltdown, I simple tell her something along these lines in a playful voice “Marli, you’re being so silly, You know you can’t do that. Let’s go play over here” and I’ll scoop her up and bring her somewhere else. When she refuses to be picked up, I leave the room and either come back in a minute or call for her to come into the next room to play/watch something with me. 9 out of 10 times, it works for us.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: I think she has a really sweet demeanor towards other babies/toddlers. More than anything, she will observe them first, then play beside them. I read up on this and it seems normal at their age to “play beside each other but not with each other.” The one thing she needs practice is sharing. Sometimes she will share and other times she won’t…but again, this is something very normal. I just try to stay consistent with showing her and when another child shares with her, I point it out so she’s aware. I notice she likes to follow/play with older toddlers too.
POTTY TRAINING: I haven’t started potty training her yet, but she has shown an interest in the toilet lately and knows when I’m using the bathroom. Also, before she poos, she will say “poo” and tug on her diaper…and I’ve even noticed that she sometimes goes and hide until after she goes. Haha I will buy her a toilet this month and a seat so maybe she can start practicing soon.
WHAT’S NEXT: We are working on more vocabulary words and learning shapes and colors. I’ve also started planning more play dates for her to begin socializing with other babies and she really enjoys it 🙂 And, of course we are always working on keeping the tantrums to a minimum. We’ll see how the next month is! It just keeps getting better and better :)
She is precious and so advanced!
ugh she is too darn cute! and I’m pretty sure I love all her favorite foods too.. mac and cheese, goldfish, veggies 😉
xox
chloe
http://popcosmo.com
Thanks girl!
She is really growing!! And those sandals you got for her are just darling. We have to say that it’s awesome that she loves her veggies!!
Jayme & Mendi @ Her Late Night Cravings
Love her sandals. Kinda wish I found a pair for myself too.
I find it so cute that she is so helpful around the house and yes, it will come in handy in the future. That’s wonderful she can already say so many words! – Claira
So true. She is moving nonstop from the time she wakes up so helping out keeps her busy 🙂
OK seriously?!?! you’re like super mom over there! marli is just growing so fast and doing so well! she gets cuter every day (if thats even possible!) and ok so gigi is 13 months and the whole milk in a sippy thing is torture for us. i guess i will just keep on keepin on with that…. and when did you introduce a fork with marli?? i haven’t done that yet but have been dying too!! g still makes a huge mess when she eats but she has pretty good eye-hand coordination. ok sorry this was so long! but i love these posts! i’m gonna email you mama!! xox
Hey mama! I started giving M a spoon and fork when she turned 12months. I let her hold it and then I guided her with grabbing the food and helped her put it near her mouth so she could place it in. Lots of praising when she was able to do it 🙂 it will get a little messy but I always sat by her and “guided” her so she wouldn’t make too much of a mess.