And so it begins...

Where's your nose?

Where's your belly button?

He can also show you his eyes, feet, toes, shoes, head, hair (what hair?), mouth and tongue. He likes to find Jagger and Gracie's eyes, nose and mouth too; they don't seem to enjoy it nearly as much as he does.

Speaking of body parts, he can also show you where daddy's nipple is, and he thinks it's pretty funny to lean in and pretend that he's going to try and get some milk. He gets real close, then smiles and makes a gagging noise. We have offered him daddy's milk before and I guess he deduced from our laughter that it was a joke, because now it is his joke.

He also enjoys looking for other people's belly buttons...

Sleepy baby...

We were at a La Leche League meeting when Roman fell asleep nursing. He had been playing all morning with other babies and had also awoken quite early that morning. When he fell asleep, I handed him off to my mom so I could show someone how to use their Moby Wrap; he didn't make a peep. At one point he opened his eyes and looked up, made a little sigh as if to say, "Oh, ok, you're here," and went right back to sleep.

Wear your hat to stay warm!

Family nap!

Daddy likes to come home from work and take a nap with Roman. He's always so cuddly when he first wakes up. In fact, he usually won't let me put him down for at least 20 minutes.

Reading on the pooper

Care for a spot of tea?

This was so funny; Roman was sitting on my lap and reached over and grabbed my tea bag off the plate, then grabbed my cup and started dipping the tea bag into the cup. I guess he's been paying attention to what I do!

Sharing with Daddy

15 Months!

The last few months Roman has really blossomed into a toddler. He sings and walks and makes jokes. He also screams very loudly in protest when you do something he doesn't like. But his tantrums are short-lived, usually about 3 seconds flat and he's onto something else.

Yes, this goes on from 7 am until 7 pm, non-stop! Potty training is still going great, but pooping has become more of a personal endeavor with his favorite place being under the dining room table; but, we're usually able to catch him in time and take him to his potty, and he doesn't protest.

Both Grandmas got to visit him this month; they learned that "I'm gonna get you" and "tickle-tickle" are his favorite games. He also likes being carried around and shown and told about everything he points to. He has stopped eating his books and loves being read to more than ever. He likes to turn the pages himself and read, "da, da, la mmm -da-da, mmm, hmmm, ahhh, ohh, ugh..." etc...

Cozy was able to go with him to his 15-month checkup. I think she enjoyed hearing to doctor say how impressed he was with Roman. He weighed in at just under 20 lbs. and almost 33 inches; he weighs a little less than average, but is all-around an extremely healthy little boy. The doc doesn't know any other babies that age who have never been sick, had pimples, excema, dry skin, gas or constipation. It is sometimes difficult to stray from the pack and not give all the usual stuff: rice cereal, jars of baby food, rice puffs or meat and cheese. But, he is as healthy as can be, so we feel pretty good about what he is eating; and he likes it too!

He loves eating different kinds of fruits and vegetables. For a while he decided he no longer liked his favorites, avocado and banana, but he likes them again now. Other favorites are "taco" meat made from almonds, strawberries, green smoothies, "chips" made from tomatoes, almond milk and granola and he really likes sweet potatoes and peas. We have also been making him quinoa/almond butter cookies that he LOVES, oh, and don't forget his very favorite, macaroons! He can't wait to get more teeth so he can try even more new and exciting things! Yesterday we found out he really likes dried oranges; they came in a gift basket from Grandma Cozy and he keeps begging for them; those and the tangerines Aunt Ginny sent seem to be his favorite this week. Sorry Aunt Nancy and Mom, he can have your home-made toffee popcorn and almond roca next year, (maybe). : )

He doesn't say a whole lot, mostly just mimics us, but he still says mama, dada, Jagger, banana, avocado, apple, no, and has starting saying nose and touching the cat's nose (which she does not appreciate, but tolerates). He uses a lot of signs though. He knows animal signs and noises for duck, bird, chicken, rooster, mouse, elephant, pig, cow, snake, spider, monkey, gorilla, tiger, and lion. He also signs mom, dad, more, finished, please, water, bath, ball and helicopter. He can show where his nose is and his head, ears, eyes, feet, toes, shoes, shirt, underwear and hat. And he gives a lot of hugs and kisses and started blowing kisses too. He makes the "mmmmm" sound when he hugs you, so sweet...

Click here for a slideshow of his recent activity, and I mean ACTIVITY!

Early present from Grandma Cozy

Roman had a wonderful visit with his Grandma Cozy. Although he had not seen her since June, he warmed up to her very quickly and was asking to sit on her lap within just a few hours. They had a great time playing and he wished she could have stayed longer. She did get to go to the doctor with him and enjoyed hearing the doc say how impressed he is with Roman. She also witnessed his first somersault and got to see him make all his favorite animal sounds. He also showed her the "hot" fire, many, many times...

She knew just what she wanted to get Roman, so off we went to the store to let him try out all the riding toys they had. It was clear which one he preferred, so she brought it home and wrapped it. He has been having so much fun with it. At first, he enjoyed being pushed on it and standing behind it pushing it, but now he has figured out how to scoot it all over the living room. This could not be a better house for that sort of thing!

1st somersault

We had never tried this before, but that day he was playing on the bed with me and Grandma Cozy and I flipped him over once or twice and then he just went and did it. He thought that was so much fun! Gene says it is fitting that he become a gymnast since I insist on making him wear those silly leggings. I realize they're not very manly, but it's cold and they're perfect for easy-access pottying.

Our little elf helps to trim the tree

Roman had such a good time digging through all of the Christmas boxes. He was very gentle with everything and surprisingly, has not had any trouble not touching the tree. He does like sniffing it though, and sometimes he will gently touch an ornament and then look at us, shake his head no and say, "ah-ah." So far, he has not taken any of them down, I guess he is just content with looking; Cozy told me Gene was perfect as a baby, I guess I am finding out what that was like. : )

Also, every morning when we come downstairs he goes over to the plugs for the tree lights. At first he tried to plug them in but we asked him not to, so now he just goes over and sits on the step and waits for you to plug in the lights. I guess he really likes those tree lights. He doesn't remember it, but he really liked them last year too, sitting on our laps and staring at them, only 3 months old. And don't worry Nancy, Gene has told him the names of all the Star Trek and Star Wars spaceships.

Picking out a Christmas tree with Grandma Cozy

Not sure why, but all 3 pets decided to go sit with Grandma Cozy by the fire. She must have had liver in her pocket....