Madeline loves to read and has been asking specifically for her Otto ABC’s book. It’s become a favorite! Go Orange!   

MADELINE AT FIFTEEN MONTHS

Weight: 21.8 lbs   Height: 32 in.
Eyes: Blue    Hair: Cinnamon

Highlights from her fifteenth month:
Says Mickey – 4/13
Says Nana first time – 4/15
Eighth tooth pops through – 4/15
Starts calling Grandmum “GaGa” – 4/27
First dentist appointment – 4/29
Starts “running” – 5/1

Maddie is mobile. She does not stop moving.
She wants to “WALK!” everywhere and when she gets excited she runs. Maddie falls down a lot, but it never gets her down. She’ll let you know she’s “OK” and will keep on truckin.’ Her balance is much better, she can lean down and pick things up, staying balanced without holding onto anything. Maddie also has a new move she’s been trying out called the flamingo. She picks up one leg while concentrating on something in her hands. We’re not sure if she knows she’s doing it. Something we do know is that she’s still our little strong woman, always trying to move and carry the heaviest and most awkward sized objects and  she is usually successful. She’s sweet as can be but also strong willed, stubborn, and very smart. Mini-tantrums have begun and she is quick to employ them to make her point. Madeline gives the best “HUG-A’s” and when she pats you on the back and rests her head on your shoulder you will melt. She still gives lots of kisses and less are open mouth. Haha.

She is friendly and demanding. Maddie loves to say “HI” and “BYE BYES” to everyone and everything. She makes friends everywhere she goes. She also likes everyone to “SIT!” and if you’re lucky, will say “SIT!” and then curl up in your lap 🙂  Sitting in the window seat and on the bottom step are favorites. She asks for everything to be “OPEN!” and anything she wants, it’s “SEE! SEE! SEE!” all day long. Loves to say “NO-NO,” “UH-OH,” and “DO!” will parrot a ton of words at this point. We really have to watch what we say, Mommy may have learned this the hard way. Madeline communicates extremely well and seems to understand everything we are saying. She’s very inquisitive and connects things together that amaze us every day. She can follow multi-step directions and remembers everything.

Night time Madeline is a sight to be seen. She gets extremely wobbly and playful. She announces that she’s gone “CRAZY” and will roll around on the floor and pull blankets over her or try to walk while toting multiple blankets. She giggles a lot and loves to play hide and seek. She still loves to read before bed and has a longer attention span, but will be quick to tell you to put the book “BACK!” and to get a new one. Madeline has never liked pacifiers and never had a toy that is a go-to for comfort, but she has finally become attached to something! Snoodle, her nubby bunny was a birthday gift from our neighbors Sarah and Brian and she loves him. She cuddles up and sleeps with him every night. We stopped her night time and nap time bottles and she adjusted very quickly. Next step – no bottles at all. Little Bear is growing up!

Madeline’s had a busy few weeks. We’ve been to the Marshy Point Spring Festival, The Maryland Zoo and Chapel Hill Farm a few times now and she really understands who all the animals are. If she doesn’t call them by name she makes the noises they make. We attended Greek Easter at our neighbor’s home and she loved chasing after their daughter Belles, playing in the sandbox and trying lamb for the first time. She was very shy at Erin Tydings’ baby shower, but eventually warmed up, trying to kiss all the little boys.

Loves: Pattycake, The Hokey Pokey, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Head Shoulder Knees and Toes, ABC’s, Humpty Dumpty.
Some new words:  No, Stop, Go, Aubrey, Happy, Crazy, Zipper, Necklace, Ruti, Button, Eight, Splash, Kick, Howie

Madeline decided to take mom out for a nice brunch at a grownup restaurant. She ordered chicken and waffles for the table and was on her best behavior.  Then Madeline thought a nice way to spend the afternoon would be a visit to Chapel Hills Farm to see the animals. Although, she was most excited to see the school bus. She ran as fast as possible to get on it.  HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOMMY!