At his checkup he was 23 lbs 14oz and 31" tall. He's getting so big!! He's gained 3lbs and grown 2 inches since his birthday, which the doctor thinks is one reason he's not walking yet--he's having a hard time balancing it all, plus he's stubborn and scared. If he's not walking independently by 18 months we will begin physical therapy.
The doctor isn't worried, but it's still hard for me not to be. I see babies up to 6 months younger than him starting to toddle all over the place, and it seems that everyone wants to comment on his lack of walking, which makes me feel like there's something obviously wrong with him.
I start blaming myself. "Maybe it's because I've carried him too much. Maybe he didn't do enough tummy time early on. I must have let him stay in the jumparoo too much, and he hasn't developed the proper muscles. Maybe he's so scared of everything like Avery was because Jon and I have never really been the ones to roughhouse, throw our babies in the air or hang them upside down. It's probably because he lost muscle tone when he lost 14% of his body weight at 6 months old, because I was literally starving him and didn't know it. Maybe it's because he was in distress during my labor; I shouldn't have been induced--he wasn't ready. Maybe it's the glass of wine I had a Christmas dinner while I was pregnant with him. What if he truly does have a condition setting him back?" I know this all sounds crazy, especially since he doesn't have an official developmental delay, but it's so hard to not compare him to his peers and babies younger than him and see that he's light years behind in his motor skills, and feeling like it's got to be my fault.
I do know he's smart though! He's learning new words and tricks every day. He consistently says in the correct context: Dada, Mama, A-ya (Avery), Dog, ball, all done, nana (banana), Hiya, high fi (high five), no-no-no-no, yah!, bye, duck, mmm yum.
He can make the animal sounds of a dog, monkey, elephant, chicken and as of last night the "yeehaw" of a cowboy.
This month he is really coming into his spunky personality. He's hilarious and naughty and sneaky and sweet. His favorite things right now are eating dog food, putting dog food into the dog's water, throwing the dog his people food, slamming doors, terrorizing Avery, punching dad, chasing balls and balloons, anything with a steering wheel, and dancing every time he hears music.
Now that he's 15 months I'm starting to give him time out in his crib when he does any of the above activities that involve the dog and food. Avery tried explaining to him, "You're getting bigger, Bub. You're gonna make mistakes and you're gonna get consequences and that's ok. Watch me how I eat. See how I don't throw it to Abby? That's all you need to do."
Is there anything cuter than that?! Love these babies and their special little relationship!
