11 Months

Dear Sam,

You turned 11 months old on the 7th. We have been having so much fun that I'm a few days late posting. I know by the time I turn around good, you'll be one! I have started planning your first birthday party, but it seems as if we were just waiting for you to arrive.

You visited the doctor last week and weighed over 21 pounds. Everyone comments on how tall you look. You wear mainly 12 month size clothing, but some of those pants are already looking short. I'll be buying 18 months for spring and summer in the hopes that we won't need a new wardrobe halfway through. Diapers are size 4.

Speaking of the doctor, we took you in because you ran a little fever one day. You had been a little fussy after dinner, were waking early, and were slightly congested, but we attributed it all to teeth. Little did we know, both ears were infected and one had blisters on them. I felt so bad, because we don't know how long they had been bothering you. Overall, you had been your happy self. Once we were home from the doctor and I was changing your diaper, I saw your first molar shining through! You were a trooper to be going through all of that.

You are still having 4 bottles a day plus 3 meals. Your meals still consist mostly of baby food, but you are trying more and more table food. I'm much more laid back with you than I was your sister. Once we went through our three day test of most baby foods, dairy, and small amounts of egg, I just started letting you try a variety of things. You have had green beans, peas, carrots. potato, cauliflower, applesauce, banana, peaches, meatballs, chicken, roast, mac and cheese, fries, rolls, cinnamon rolls, cheese, yogurt, Fruit Loops, Goldfish, and Gerber snacks. The Fruit Loops and Goldfish were at Jen-Jen's, and the Goldfish were courtesy of Avery. You drink water from a cup like a pro, and have been for awhile. I forgot to put that in your 10 month post.

Your sleep schedule remains the same as it has for months. You managed about a 15 minute nap one of the last times we went to see Yaya, and did just fine. Your morning naps are usually pretty long, and then you roll around in your bed for awhile before starting your afternoon one. Teething causes you to wake early, and we usually take a pacifier in to you. We'll see if that causes a bad habit, but it didn't when we did the same for your sister. I'd put one in the crib with you if I didn't think you'd use it most of the night.

Like the Fisher Price song sings, you are "Busy, busy, busy, busy!" You have done a few crawls on your hands and knees, but you really prefer your army crawl style. You can pull up to stand but really prefer to be on your knees. You sit on them all the time and look like such a big boy. You pull up on the stairs, open the kitchen cabinets, and pull out drawers in the playroom. We never had to do much baby proofing with Avery, but you might be a different story. You cruise around objects and walk behind push toys occasionally. We have replaced your carrier seat with Avery's Marathons and you seem to like them just fine. It's funny to see you in a big boy seat. You have been saying uh-oh for awhile and babble all the time. You know to shake, shake or dance, dance on command, and you will also give kisses if we do it to you. You are starting to wave bye bye with your little fingers. Where's Sam is still the best game ever invented.

You love moving from one toy to another at home. You love to put things in and take them out, and you love balls. You have already figured out how to throw them. Avery makes me nervous each time she yells, "Catch Samo" though. You can clear out the dollhouse in about 15 seconds.

Laid back is usually the name of the game. You have done so well on our many trips to see Yaya, you're happy at Jen-Jen's, and you are enjoying the nursery at church. A little temper has started to show with some yelling and throwing. That mainly occurs in the high chair. We've never had fall-out fits before so we'll see if they're coming. You'll cry if someone takes a treasure away, but that's to be understood. You like to take things away too! If you do get fussy, Duckie and your pie-pie do the trick right away.

We love you so much Sam and are so thankful for each moment of the last 11 months. What a blessing it is for us to be able to experience all your firsts, all your learning, and all your love.


Love,
Mommy and Daddy