Why 15 Month Olds Are The Best Sort of Human

Wanted: tiny, adorable, drunk-acting human with no common sense.

Found: my 15 month old.

Have you spent time with a 15 month old lately? They're one of the best stages of human.

For example, my 15 month old can balance crackers on his head for a really, really long time. Sometimes we just make him walk around with crackers on his head for laughs.

He's also freakishly good at ascertaining where I've hidden his shoes and socks and convincing unwitting grandparents to put them on, take them off, put them, take them off--you understand.

He's fantastic at understanding things. When he sees a clean diaper coming, he runs in circles squealing and laughing and doesn't stop until he trips on his own feet.

If we leave the door open, he will escape to the outside and run along the sidewalk, only to make an abrupt, desperate dash into traffic. And when I pick him up, he will arch his back at the horror and unfairness of not being allowed to run his chubby self into the road.

He gives the best kisses. They're all noise with just a touch of contact and no slobber.

In the morning, he squishes his plump cheeks against our faces, cutting off our breath and filling our hearts.

He loves babies, and his tiny hands will always reach to gently (or not so gently) pat a face or head even newer than his.

He knows water is life's elixir, and he doesn't care if he dumps ice water on himself.

He likes to bark at dogs...and chickens, because he's not quite sure what the difference is yet.

He loves to dress himself, even though he can't quite yet. He knows his shorts go on his legs, but he'll settle for wearing them on his head in a pinch. And don't leave your underwear out, or it will become a Lando hat or necklace.

He babbles all day long, telling me about his view from 31 inches of height.

He loves books, and will grab one and crawl up on my lap so I can read it to him. Then, midway through, he'll crawl off and grab another, until we have a mash up of all his favorite books.

But his very newest skill? Running around with a finger in his nose. He learned it from his nine year old uncle. ;)

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