My son has become much more opinionated (also: stubborn, determined, independent, difficult) lately, but he’s also becoming much more fun. I guess that’s what it means to become a toddler.

“Are you kidding me, Mother? We’ll stop taking pictures in the doctor’s office soon, right??

Ben had his belated 15 month appointment on Monday. He is still rocking the 99th percentile in weight (30 pounds 11 oz!) and is 91st in height. He had fun running around the doctor’s office, opening every cabinet, and ripping up the tissue paper on the table. The doctor once again used the phrase “good grower” and everything checked out okay. We are so blessed.

Ben is learning so much every day and is ridiculously curious. He has decided that he will not be spoon-fed any more and needs to conquer using utensils himself. This has bumped up his bath frequency, which might have been his plan all along. The kid loves baths.

Ben is still a man of few – okay no – words right now, but you can tell the wheels are turning and he is understanding more. He still loves puzzles and blocks and hitting things with plastic toys. A box is the best toy ever, which compliments his favorite activity of peek-a-boo.

Holding hands or being picked up can now lead to a squeal or arched back. Ben loves to walk and RUN everywhere. Luckily, at this point, we can just treat him like a giant game of Pong and turn him in the direction he needs to go and he just keeps walking. I’m not sure what we’ll do when he has a destination in mind.

We had a pretty low-key Christmas celebration. It was nice to stay at home and have a gift exchange with my in-laws. Ben enjoyed some new toys and almost got the concept of ripping paper and seeing new things. I’m sure next year will be even more exciting.

I also had fun dressing up Ben for Christmas Day. I might not get to play with the frilly dresses, but I will make sure my kid can rock a sweater vest. (Also, Ben takes his rosy cheeks very seriously. We have to lotion him down multiple times a day. Oh, Winter….)

And now we just get to enjoy a relaxing Christmas vacation, which will include many low-lit, blurry selfies. Ben has discovered what the red button on my Iphone does.