Smith Family Weblog

Trying out some new hard-soled shoes on this gorgeous fall day…

THIS circus, anyway.

I called the doctor’s office on Monday, apologizing repeatedly for neglecting to schedule Owen’s 15 month check up. I told the nurse I was whole month overdue, and that he was now 16 months old. She corrected me, then said, “Really for third babies, we just count by years anyway. Who can keep track…?” Not me, apparently.

At FIFTEEN months, Owen is a handful. (Perhaps I’ve noted that previously.) He is always into something (or rather, has something in the toilet). If left alone for a mere moment, destruction is ensured. His physicality is notable—he can toss balls across the room, or heavy items from the shopping cart.

He’s cute as can be, quick with a smile for his sweet sisters. He’s saying a number of new words, including baby and banana. He LOVES to dance, and knows exactly how to request a record for the player when we get home at night. He will occasionally suffer through a song or two as I rock him before bed, but he’d really just rather lay right down at 7:30 (you have to go to bed early to wake at 5:45!). He’s terribly impatient, and is immediately frustrated when he can’t have exactly what he wants.

Owen’s most favorite pastime is strolling (running) up and down the sidewalk, where he will pick up a walnut or a rock or a piece of mulch, toss it ahead of himself, and then run after it. He repeats this up and down the path—the same one I walked over and over when I was in labor one night last summer.

We’ve covered many miles out in front of our house the last few weeks, and I have no doubt this will be one of my favorite memories of this little guy at this age.

We took the kids to the aquatic center on Sunday, and it was most definitely a job for two. While we kept an eye on the girls from a distance (as they played on the lily pads and scooted down the big slide), we followed close behind Owen as he explored as much of the baby pool as possible. He had an absolute blast.

He’s so drawn to water. He comes running when the he hears the washer, obviously understands the word “bath” and makes us regret leaving bathroom doors open for a much as a moment.

He’s a real handful right now, but he’s also incredible cute. It mostly evens out.

Karyl asked about Owen’s curls below, so I thought I’d share a recent, pre-haircut photo. They were getting just a bit wild, and so a trim seemed in order. I am happy to note, though, Owen’s hair did retain some wave, especially at the nape of his neck. And, as Diane said (with a barely contained note of sadness), “Well, I suppose they will grow back…”

Owen has a number of new words, including kitty, Ava, thank you, more, milk, and “na-na,” which, given its context, is obviously “no no.” He’ll head to the running dishwasher, intent on moving the dial mid-cycle, babbling “na-na, na-na, na-na” the entire way.

He’s a pretty ornery little guy, creating diversions that allow him to make a significant mess (while I’m off obliviously cleaning up the first). He’s walking everywhere while sporting new soft-sole shoes, and he greets every person, animal and toy with an adorably loud and enthusiastic “HAAIII!”

Owen took three tiny, little steps Saturday night at the neighbors’, and he followed them up with three big steps to me at Diane’s on Monday. By last night, he was growing more confident and gleeful in his new mobility. At almost 13 months, this baby is officially walking!