These are a few of your favourite things

You recently turned fifteen months of age and your interests are becoming more apparent and diverse all the time. 

In addition to your use of sign language to communicate your desires you've also recently discovered a love of books. Your favourite book at the moment is 'Time For Bed, Spot' and you love spotting the bird, duck, teddy and boat in the story. You also love your tractor book and in any book you browse you are always looking for familiar sights - objects that you can sign to convey your understanding. I'm amazed at how you know penguins, emus, ostriches and eagles, without having even seen them before.  Perhaps their beaks are a give them away. Similarly, you use the boat sign when you see dinghies, pirate ships and sail boats. Bird and mummy have found their way into your vocabulary but the ever popular 'ehh' to indicate that you want something is sufficient in getting our attention.

You enjoy throwing a ball to other children and adults and laugh to yourself as you do this. You haven't quite learnt to kick but you do like to run at your red ball producing the same effect as if you'd have kicked it. 

Piggy back rides are a frequent request and whenever you see me seated on the floor with my shoulders bent forward you toddle on over and grab me from behind and indicate that you want a piggy back. If I deny you this little pleasure you give me a cuddle anyway. And you are so generous with your cuddles. When you cuddle you snuggle your head into my shoulder and put your arm on me and you say 'owwwww'. You are very obliging when asked for a cuddle but the best cuddles are the ones you dole out yourself. 

You've recently taken an interest in soft toys and your current favourite is Mark's old teddy, which we named Big Ted. You snuggle with him and Mr Monkey, Giraffey and Turtle whenever you're due for a nap. You've even started trying to feed Big Ted from your bottle at night and if I put a couple of dummies in the cot, you'll automatically give one to your teddy, such is your generosity.

I don't know when or how but we both recently discovered the joy in playing Peek A Boo. You start by walking out of the kitchen so that you're out of view and then come running back in saying 'Aboo'. When you are reading your lift the flap books you often call out 'Aboo' as you peek under a flap. 

We bought you a John Deere quad after our farm stay and you like nothing more than to push the buttons and listen to the songs and sounds. You also make quite an amusing sound effect when the quad starts up. When I turn the key to the ignition you clench your fists as if doing to sign for motorbike but instead of moving your hands in a downward motion you move them upwards and strain your face for emphasis, like a little body builder lifting weights. You are such a boy!

You like music and sometimes stamp your feet if you enjoy what you hear. You also bop up and down but otherwise you just stare transfixed, especially when it's a song you are familiar with. 

The smell of playdough still makes your eyes crinkle and your nose turn upright.

You are becoming increasingly interested in climbing and we've had quite a few falls as a result. I've tried rearranging the furniture so that some things are less accessible but you still find a way up, such is your will power. 

Whereas you used to enjoy splashing and playing with your toys in the bath, nowadays you are just as content to lie with your bum in the air and let the warm water run over your body. Sometimes you'll play with ducky but most of the time you just like sitting or lying under the water and any attempt to clean your face or hair is seen as an inconvenience. 

Your appetite has recently returned and you are eating a bigger variety of foods, much to my relief. You love eating and remind me of your Nonna in this way. When you get a mouthful of something you really like - fruit, yoghurt or bread especially - you clamp your mouth shut and declare, 'Om' with a massively cheeky grin on your face. 

Sleep has become something of a luxury to mum and dad but I do hope that in time it will become one of your favourite things. There have been a few times since Daddy left that you've slept the whole night through without making a peep. I really hope that those odd nights will become a regular occurrence. We are both happier and function better on a solid night's sleep.