15 Month Mister Independent

The Zane Man is 15 months old going on 5. He is huge, tries to be entirely independent, and has grown out of babyhood entirely.

All of Zane's molars are making an entrance, leading to some crankiness, but overall Zane has entered into an exciting 'exploration phase.' Most recently, he has started grabbing a package of ramen noodles, finding a pot in our cupboards, and bringing them to us when he wants food. He is just like his father. He also brings us a diaper when he needs changed and no longer likes it when we hold the books during reading time. It's all or nothing with this guy. He wants complete independence and when that is not physically possible, he is very distraught. For a guy that brings us diapers and wipes, he sure hates having to stop his day to get his diaper changed.

Zane's favorite foods, other than ramen, include eggs (he can eat 5 scrambled eggs in one sitting some days), juice, and pepperoni. He eats like a grown man, probably because he is growing like a grown man. Zane is still as tall as ever, and the doctors have actually told us we need to fatten him up a bit because he is so tall. Trust us, he eats enough food for this endeavor, but somehow works it all off running around the house.

Speaking of running, Zane is very fast. His walking is still pretty caveman-like, but when he gets it in his mind to run, he is actually pretty quick! We have to keep him in our sights at all time or else he could be down the street in a matter of seconds. Our saving grace is that he does not yet know how to open doorknobs. 

Zane loves the outdoors and it is a very special occasion when he can spend his time at the park lately. He can climb and play all over the toys all by himself and he does not want help. He likes to go down the slide on his belly or backwards, which he thinks is absolutely hilarious. He loves watching others play and tries to mimic them as best as he can.

The little guy has also become so much more vocal recently and can say quite a few words: please, thank you, bubble, apple, more, treat, mama, and dada, to name only a small few in the vast vocabulary of a 15 month old. He is still signing some basic sign language, but most recently has been trying to orally communicate his wants and needs. 

Zaney has become very imaginative and enjoys playing with his toys right before bedtime. He especially loves trying to play right when we are ready to say prayers. He growls when playing with his dinosaurs, dances when his toys sing to him, and throws balls every chance he can get - and he's got a pretty great arm. It's crazy to see him play with two toys and how he makes them interact. I wish I could see what is in that little head of his.

Lastly, the Z Master has become so incredibly patient with us. We've been so busy with our last semester of school and while I can tell he craves both Mitch and I spending time with him, he has been so giving by means of patience and a 15 month old version of understanding. When dad leaves, Zane continues doing what he is doing. When I leave, he continues right on playing. He no longer cries when we leave and he is so excited to see us when we get home. And I could not be more grateful. Seriously, having to finish college while having a kiddo is one of the hardest things we've had to do, but Zane has been so obliging that I can't even complain. 

I love this adventurous little nugget!

To see Zane's 14 month photos, look here.