15 Month Checkup & Update

We took Austin to the pediatrician for his 15 Month Well Visit this morning (a few weeks late). We are blessed with a very healthy little boy. Austin has definitely been having a growth spurt. He measured 31 inches (48%) and weighed 23 lbs, 8 oz (36%). He almost tripled his percentile in weight and almost quadrupled his percentile in height! Adding milk to his diet definitely had an effect. Of course, his head circumference also increased a little to 85% (Got to have some place to hold all those brains ;-).

In addition to his physical growth, Austin is developing in numerous other ways. His verbal skills are getting better every day. Some of the newer words that he uses are ball, car, bug, hat, bye-bye, Brian, and uh-oh. (There are several others that he has made up words/sounds for) Uh-oh is definitely my favorite. I just love the face he makes when he says it. He has also added lion to the list of animals that he makes sounds for. So cute!

On the down side, his growing up also means that we are facing discipline issues for the first time. Austin is experimenting with temper tantrums. His technique involves going limp or stiffening up (if we are trying to carry him away from the object/activity that he wants) so that it is difficult to keep hold of him, throwing himself to the floor and crying. It usually lasts only a few seconds until he realizes that we are ignoring him, and then he is over it. (I am sure it will increase in length as his stubbornness grows. ;-) He is definitely entering the stage where he is "testing" us to see if we will stand our ground - he had his first "time out" this week. I will say, that grocery shopping is a completely different experience now. ;-)

Thankfully, the temper tantrums are not Austin's only new behavior. He is learning many new positive behaviors as well. ;-) Some of which are....

• he can blow kisses - so precious!
• he enjoys "building" with blocks (he still like tearing them down more though)
• he is branching out at the playground and now enjoys the jungle gym, tower, and big slides in addition to the little slides and swing.
• Austin is now using a fork to eat during most meals. He actually insists that I give him one even when he only has finger foods. (He is so proud of himself when he eats like a big boy)
• Austin now says "Awww" when he gives hugs

In an effort to stay cool and still allow Austin some much needed outdoor play time, we like to play in the sprinklers while the grass is being watered in the evenings. I didn't get any great pictures because Austin kept insisting that I run through it with him, but here is the one I did get.