Andrew is 15 months old!!!

Andrew has really grown up a lot this month, too! I can't believe how different he is from even three months ago.

Andrew is walking and running everywhere. He still trips, but otherwise is pretty sturdy. He loves to climb up hills, though he usually needs to hold my hand if it's too steep. He loves to go on walks and even went on a small hike with his grandparents in the Leslie Science Center. Andrew loves being outside. We go on at least one stroller walk a day. Plus, he is outside probably 3-5 hours a day beside that. He is always grabbing his shoes and bringing them over to you so we can go outside. He likes to go on the porch (and screams when we won't let him) and throw his chalk over the side of the railing. He chased the cat throw the porch railing once and fell about a foot done - he cried but wasn't really injured and wanted to be out again within a few minutes!

After being outside, Andrew's favorite thing is playing with his trucks. As Grandpa said, he would love to be a parking lot attendant. He lines them all up and then moves them to another location. He likes playing with his other toys too and reading books. He especially likes playing hide-n-seek or when I chase him and cuddling. He loves playing with the cat Joe - he likes to play strings and balls with him, and also likes to sit on him (which surprisingly the cat tolerates). He is just starting to learn to draw with crayons and chalk (which he likes, but I have to watch him so carefully - he already drew on the fridge). He also loves to sit in the little chair we got him and just take a rest.

Andrew is a little screamer. He screams whenever he wants something, especially when he is in a contained place - his highchair (he screams through 75% of mealtimes), his car seat, his stroller when we're not outside, church, etc. I am hoping it is just a stage, because it is sure obnoxious and gives me a huge headache.

Speaking of mealtimes, Andrew is increasingly picky, as is typical of his age. He could live on white rice, green peas, and goldfish crackers - well, he does live on those actually. We can't say the word fish or Andrew will run to the cupboard and say "This, this, this" or "That, that, that" until he gets some. He generally likes vegetables (he enjoyed cucumbers and eggplant this month) and some fruit - he ate blueberries when we went picking, but mostly loves strawberries. He eats dry cereals and crackers, esp for snacks. And a tiny bit of yogurt or cheese, but no milk and no drinks but water. And except for some salmon, no meat. He most especially loves to throw his food on the floor - we would have a HUGE mess if we didn't have the tarp under the high chair.

Andrew is talking up a storm - if only we understood what he said! He does have a lot more words - most especially "this" and "that" which are his favorites. He definately seems to comprehend a good part of what we say which is great. I am not as sure about how much Japanese he comprehends - we really have to be more consistent on that.

Andrew still loves music and dancing and FINALLY learned to clap - I was wondering if he would ever do it. He loves to clap now and does it until we do it too. He also is started to fold his arms for a couple seconds when we pray, which is really cute. He seems to like prayers and reading scripture stories.

Andrew still loves all things that move. Most especially cars, trucks, planes, trains, dogs, cats, bugs, and other children. He points all of them out and gets very excited.

Andrew is starting to imitate us and loves to try to help. He wants to play with water when we are doing dishes, wants to stir things in pots when I cook, and wants to walk around with his walker when I am vacuuming. It makes things a little slower, but it's really fun and I am enjoying it while it lasts.

Andrew has a new babysitter who watches him 3 hrs a day, 3 days a week in the afternoon while I work. They spend the entire time outside and he really enjoys it, I think. But he is still a bit teary during separations from me. But whenever he sees us, he gets very excited.

Andrew is starting to sleep through the night about half the time, even when he is sick, which we are very happy about. Now, if we could just wean him ...

For fun things, we took a trip to the Arboreteum, the Botanical Gardens, blueberry picking, and to the Detroit Institute of Arts with Grandma and Grandpa. And of course, grandparents visiting was very fun.

Generally, Andrew is a very happy fellow (when he is not screaming) and gives us lots of hugs and kisses and smiles. This has been a fun month.