Grady do it!

(15 months) We've discovered Bailey. (No, Barb, not BAILEY'S !) Or rather, he's discovered us. He's the little shaggy dog next door and every time he hears us out now, he pops over to our house, much to Grady's delight. Its a Grady-sized dog, unlike Dixie who's three times his size. Bailey also wants to jump up and lick his face, but he can handle him a lot easier. Grady just cracks up and can't stop petting him.

We're also big on feeding ourselves, and that means a big mess too but its fun. He lets me feed him when he's really hungry, then at some point won't accept another bite unless HE'S wielding the spoon. If I try to hold the bowl so he can get a bit of applesauce, he pushes my hand away. Reminiscent of "Dottie do it" so I guess he's got a little of his mama in him after all.

Laying low this week since I'm pulling 12 days of work and trying to sleep when he sleeps. He's getting TWO MORE TEETH though so he's been a bit clingy and crabby, for him. Its the eye teeth and they've finally broken through so hopefully I'll get my cheery, chirpy boy back.

Last night I was in the bath and he wanted in but he'd already had his so I was trying to distract him. "Go get your duck" and he got it. "Go get your frog" and he got that too. "Your ball" "Your comb." He's learning so many new words, just not saying them yet :)

Loves me, loves me not

15 months. Grady loves loves loves being outside! He gets a kick out of walking back and forth from the pavement to the grass and back. Wait until he discovers the "moonwalk" the moles have made of the backyard! Spent a long time examining the crocuses.

He went to the doctor for his 15 month check up. He weighs 25.5 pounds and is 32 inches long! Got his last vaccination until he's 5, by Dr.Sears alternate schedule, but we may do a couple when he's four. Still taking a cautious route with that, more afraid of autism than measles. I know they haven't shown a link but why take a chance? He can get the MMR later.

Sooo sweet last night. When he half-wakes, restless and kicking, I massage his legs from hip to toes, squeezing gently. Last night, as he fell asleep he got a hold of my arm and did the same thing with his little baby hands. Such an angel.

Uh uh oh!

15 months old. So cute to hear Grady chattering, you only get a few words here and there. Now when he drops something he says, "Uh uh oh!" He'll also say "ears" and "nose" when you point to them. No doubt he'll be jabbering soon enough, just like cousin Alex!

Where's your nose?

We're big on the treasure hunt these days. Grady's a man of few words so far, besides "Mama" "Daddy" and "Dissy" (Dixie), but he knows what we're talking about even if he's not saying. If you tell him, "Get your whatever" he'll get his socks, shoes, snack cup, sippy cup. Yesterday as I started looking around the living room, I said, "Where's the phone? Gotta find the phone so we can call Daddy." He ran around behind the couch where he'd hidden the phone and brought it too me. I think that's pretty good for 15 months.

We're also working on the body parts -- if I say, "Where's your nose" or ears or belly or eyes, he'll touch the right thing. And thinks the word "belly" is hilarious!

Fry Guy

Took Grady to lunch with the girls yesterday -- and they got my picky eater to chow french fries! He's been so healthy until now, but I guess it had to happen some time. Thanks to Suzi Geha, Sue Shaw, Jenn Moss and Lisa Armstrong for that one.

Those carbs came in handy later when he pitched a fit at home. The neighbor boys came after school to take Dixie for her walk. They have a housekey and just call her from the back door and she comes running. Well, Grady happened to be standing by the baby gate and saw these people come in his house and take his dog. He looked alarmed, started pointing and yelling "Dissy! Dissy!" then burst into tears. Had to take him outside to see she was ok. Poor little guy, must have been scary.

"Wheel of Fortune" cheers him up though. He loves to clap when people applaud on TV and "Wheel" is the best! He makes the cutest little noises and gets all ramped up through out the show so that he's spinning in circles by the end of it. Too cute. Tried to get video last night, but of course, as soon as I get out the camera: nuthin'.

Panty Raid, Baby!

In the first 30 minutes of our day, Dixie ate the stinky candle I got as a gift at the Girlfriends' Weekend, and while I was cleaning that up, I heard a metallic sound and a splash. There's Grady, dunking a pair of my panties into Dixie's water bowl on the kitchen floor. I'd forgotten to put it on the counter when we let Grady loose in the great room. He was cracking up, absolutely delighted with himself. Then Dixie wandered in and started grumbling unhappily, looking from me to Grady with a "Do something!" look on her face. So I got the video camera, and its hilarious! (Have to figure out how to download it here soon.)

Red, red, wiiiiine....

Apparently my kid's a sloppy drinker. I thought I'd poured a small glass of wine to unwind before bed... small until Grady swung it around, spilling red all over the carpet while I was distracted talking to Grandma on the phone. At least he DIDN'T drink it, but what a mess! I'd left it on the kitchen counter, but Rick thoughtfully set it nexgt to me on the end table by the couch while I was on the phone, and I didn't notice until it was too late.