Another month, another update. This brings us to a whopping FIFTEEN!
Cullen is in this really great stage right now where he’s doing lots of fun toddler stuff, but he’s also still very much a baby. I’ll see him running and jumping around and think about how big he’s gotten. And in the next moment, he’ll turn around and I’ll see his juicy chubby baby cheeks.
The big news this month is that he finally got a haircut! We attempted one last month, which was a total disaster. We tried again last week, and had success at a barber shop! As much as I loved his crazy mop of wispy curls, it was getting to be a bit too much. He was looking like Ringo Starr. The hairdresser didn’t take off much – just the really long pieces on the sides, and an inch or two off the back. Now he’s looking a lot more coiffed, and a lot less mullet.
Although it’s growing back in very quickly. Who did he get this awesome hair from? Certainly not me. It’s almost long enough to peek out from under his ears again. And he still has those gorgeous curls in the back, hidden under his hat!
Speaking of hats, last week we had our first snow here in Seattle, and we wasted no time in getting out there to play! Cullen absolutely loved it. (You can see more pictures of our snow adventure over on Babble.)
He is on the go ALL the time now. He’s steady and sturdy, and he often looks back and laughs as he runs away. I fear the day when he is faster than me.
Indoor play is a lot of the same as it has been for the past few months – stacking, sorting, moving, tapping, and organizing. He is obsessed with all things CUPS.
But his fine motor and cognitive skills are noticeably developing. He used to just bang cups together and move them around, but now he can build a tower, and he knows which cups will fit into each other. It’s pretty impressive!
I thought we had finally passed the everything-in-the-mouth stage, which has felt never-ending. Turns out, it is. We are back to digging rocks and mulch out of his mouth whenever he is outside. Seriously, when does this stop? I am 31, and can’t remember the last time I tried to eat a rock or a stick.
He’s becoming more and more daring and bold, which is fun and also terrifying. He flings his body across the room, flies full speed into my lap, and his forehead usually has at least one bruise or big red spot. Casey and I live in constant fear that we will accidentally leave the baby gates open. He’s so naturally curious, and even though I’ve tried to teach him to go down on his belly, I’m so afraid of what would happen if he had the chance. Let’s hope we never find out!
He has so much determination and motivation. Whether it’s getting the pieces to fit into the shape sorter or climbing up the slide on the playground, he keeps going and going until he gets it.
Last month he was going through a major picky phase as far as food was concerned. I dreaded meal time, since every one was an epic battle unless he was eating oatmeal or toast. All vegetables were thrown on the floor, unless slathered in hummus. I’m not sure what changed recently, but he’s wolfing down everything in sight. His appetite is enormous, and I think he might be hitting a growth spurt. He is HEAVY!
His belly is gigantic and ridiculous. I love it. He starts out really skinny in the morning, and then eats and eats all day until his belly is ready to burst at night. I’ll let you guess what I am greeted with every morning. Yikes.
Sleeping is still going really well, despite changing time zones last week. We’re back onto Pacific time now that we’re home, and he’s sleeping 7:30am to around 8ish in the morning. It is bliss. We are all so much more well rested these days.
After months of months of no teething action, we are finally seeing some white poking through again. He’s currently getting both his upper and lower left molars, which is causing an insane amount of drool, a runny nose, and a super cling monster. I can’t really blame him though – can you imagine what that feels like? Thank goodness we forget!
He is such a joy, and it just keeps getting better and better. Not much more to say than that!
Fifteen Month Rundown
- Weight: gigantic. I’m guessing at least 24 pounds.
- New Words: no, uh oh, yeah, and again
- Teeth: eight, with two more on the way
- Favorite Foods: broccoli, black beans, Mediterranean hummus, mini muffins, sweet potatoes, steamed apples, fresh pairs, toast with sunbutter
- Likes: being held by mom, giving the dogs their treats, drinking from straws, eating out of his snack cup, reading books, wash baskets, playing with phones, climbing in and out of his reading chair
- Dislikes: the stroller, getting dressed, wearing shoes, walking and holding hands, the dogs being too rowdy, dad going to work, getting strapped into the car seat
Last but not least, a video of Cullen in action at fifteen months!
For more parenting posts, please visit the parenting page (which is finally up to date!). You can also read the latest on Babble’s Toddler Times blog:
58 Comments so far
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He is such a beautiful little guy! I’m glad he’s eating better for you :)
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He is sooooo cute, Emily!! I can’t get over how big he’s getting – it’s still amazing to me remembering reading about him as a little tiny peanut. Thank you for sharing!
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The thing in the mouth phase is annoying! I remember my son stopped around 12 months. It was magical. Then all of the sudden around 2 we were outside and he started shoving rocks in his mouth. I have no idea what gets into boys:)
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I love his little clothes! I can’t even handle that tiny little flannel and cardigan!
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Augh! I love these updates so much. Seriously, so cute I can’t even stand it.
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I know what you mean about the hand-to-mouth thing. Parker is 20 months and STILL PUTS CRAYONS IN HIS MOUTH at restaurants. I am dying for this to be over.
Cullen is SO CUTE!!!!
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Leah Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 11:28 am
I’m babysitting a friend’s son named Parker tonight. He turned 2 in April. :)
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emily s Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Nice! My Parrker turns 2 this May
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What a cute patootie (is that a word, ha ha)! My little guy is a week younger than Cullen and I LOVE reading your updates, as things always change with these little guys huh? I absolutely adore this stage too, i say that each month, ha ha!
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Emily,
He is such a cutie….totally adorable. I wanted to ask you how you work with his sleeping schedule being that you travel so much. We are getting ready for a trip and I am a bit scared of how/where our son will sleep (crib or in bed with us?????)…it’s all a bit scary:)
Thanks and all the best!
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Baby cardigannnnn!!!! Agggghhhh!!!
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Watching your videos of Cullen always bring a smile to my face, and oftentimes, have me laughing out loud! Thanks for sharing!
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What a fun age! I love his little pop belly and diaper butt – it cracks me up. And that look of concentration in that photo of him building the tower is adorable. He’s such a cute kid!
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He is such a little man, especially with that puffy jacket and hat!
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OMG look at his BUTT! and his BELLY! He is so cute. I love how much they love climbing in and out of things at this age. It is the cutest.
Oh, and I love his focused face too. He is a good tower maker!
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His belly is hilarious….I LOVE that little moose sweater! so adorable
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I love reading these updates! Cullen is just so so so cute!
My baby at his 12 month weighed 25.1 lbs..so I’m very scared to see what he’ll weigh at 15 months! At least he’s tall too. Cullen has him beat in the belly department ;)
And Sawyer also decided to dislike almost all foods and seems to be back on a puree kick. Awesome.
They are so unpredictible!
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I love that a laundry basket and two plastic balls can keep him so occupied. :) Who needs fancy toys!?
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His belly seriously cracks me up. I have an almost-10 month old, and I always love reading these posts to see what’s coming next. He’s such a cutie!
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Love these posts! He is so darn cute! Love the look of determination when he’s stacking his cups. :)
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Thank you for sharing your adventures with Cullen. He is absolutely the cutest child ever. Your stories brighten my cold dreary winter days. His smiles are like sunshine. Oh yes, I like your recipes too (grin).
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I’m tired just from that video! What a mover!! And I love his little {big} belly! :)
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That video is precious! Him climbing in and out of that basket is hilarious. Ah, the simple things. I can’t believe how much he has grown!
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OMG I die. The cardigan. SQUEEE.
Em also got a haircut this month … mullets be gone!!
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Man…..he really does have the cutest smile!!!
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I swear I thought he was saying “a bite,” he put the apple up to his mouth a few times and said that. Maybe cus you offer him food and say “want a bite?”….or I’m just crazy and making things up :)
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Emily Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:10 pm
I heard bite too, and maybe green. Very cute.
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Stefanie Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 4:48 pm
I totally heard bite too. My son is 16 months and it sounds exactly like that. Plus he said it a few times and each time he had something near his mouth or immediately put something in it.
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Tricia Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 9:08 pm
I heard a bite too! Then he put the ball up to his mouth!
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Adorable! And his new haircut suits him perfectly :)
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I love these updates. My son is a month behind so I like knowing whats ahead. Jack is currently showing some pickiness with foods and I was hoping it was a phase. If he’s anything like Cullen (he loves food as much) then hopefully it will be!
Sara
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What a beautiful, sweet boy!
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Love the video, he’s so cute. And my favorite photo is the one that you so aptly put with the description of his determination. You can see that intensity on his little face. Love it!
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My nephew just turned 6 months old today! Hard to believe and makes me wonder where the time has gone?! Just teaches me to never take life for granted and to remember all of the precious moments.
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I thought we were way past putting random things in your mouth phase – nope! My son is 2 1/2 and still does it! So gross!
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He can’t get any cuter!
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I love the haircut and that tower-building is impressive business. He just looks like a mischievious, investigative man-on-the-go and you’re right, still a little baby with those cheeks! :)
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Oh my gosh, he is just such a happy little guy! Adorable! And don’t you love the big buddha belly? It makes me laugh….. although I don’t laugh at the morning present either! HA.
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I really don’t know how you handle that much cuteness each day. Although I’m sure there are bad times too, but not nearly as many as the adorable ones.
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i currently read around 30 blogs, and cullen is THE cutest baby out of all of them!! i can’t even handle it. love the big diaper butt!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Awwww thanks! :)
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So cute! Have you considered sharing more pictures of your new home (and nursery) with us? It looks adorable!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Probably not. I’m feeling a bit more private these days. But never say never. :)
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I can’t believe how big Cullen is getting! He is such a cutie!
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I love how methodical he is with the climbing out, fixing the basket, getting the balls, tossing them, always in the same order. So cute!
(And 24 lbs. at 15 months is the stuff of ENVY! My Jack just weighed in at almost 31 lbs. at his 12 month appt. Yikes! My back!)
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Wowsers!
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Katie Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 10:31 am
Oh my God. I thought of this video last night when our big boy started in with this routine with the laundry basket. In and out. Well…in just fine. Out was a different story. The basket would need to be made of STEEL to not topple over when Jack tried to climb out.
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It sounds to me from his dislikes that he doesn’t like to be held down haha! Typical BOY! :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Haha very true!
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He can even make a stacking cup tower balance on people’s heads as I came to experience last week during our visit :-) Such a cutie!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Haha YES! Missing you! Hope you’re having a great visit with your mom and K!
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Cullen reminds me so much of myson even though mine is a few months older. He goes nonstop and is a super happy little guy!
Any chance you’ll post the carrot raisin muffin you mentioned on Babble? It looks awesome!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 3:37 pm
I’m going to remake it, and likely post it next week!
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If you don’t have the world’s cutest baby, then I don’t know who does.
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 28th, 2013 at 8:25 pm
:) Thank you!
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I wish I could still be amused the same way. He seems to have so much fun just putting balls in the basket, climbing into the basket like a gymnast, then tipping himself out of the basket over and over. Simple!
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What a cutie! I love his sweater! Can you tell me where did you get it? Thank you.
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Emily Malone Reply:
March 8th, 2013 at 7:08 am
My mom actually found it at a Goodwill store. Don’t know the brand – sorry!
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