T-1 month to one year

Happy 11 months (two days late!), little man!  Dear Lord, in just a month, we will have a one year old!  They say time flies when your kiddos are growing up, and that has definitely been true.  It feels like just yesterday that we were bring you home from the hospital.

Your Profile
You are fully toddler these days - complete with temper tantrums, full spectrum of movement, and (strong) opinions of your own.  In general, your personality is still sweet, and you are a happy, giggly little boy who wishes that he could eat every.thing.  We have tried finding a food you wouldn't eat, and still to this day, have not had luck.  Grapefruit was a close one, but you ate it anyhow.  And pickles you demolished with joy.  You are cruising, free-standing, walking pushing a walker (or the kitchen chairs!) and just four days ago, took your first independent step.  You are a man on the move, but you do still occasionally let mommy and daddy snuggle with you - but only when you're tired.

Things you've Learned
You're quite accomplished at freestanding and racer speed crawling.  You are learning how to use a spoon - but only when you decide you want to.  You learned how to give kisses - and love giving big slobbery ones to Mommy and Daddy.  You also learned how to play peek-a-boo, where you will hide from us, and then peek out.  Your timing is a little rough, but you find it hilarious.  Just today, you learned how to high five Daddy.  You also learned how to open cupboard doors, the trashcan, and the toilet.  Child safety locks are Mommy's best friends.

Also, you learned that you are going to be a big brother in June!  Your feelings on this matter are still somewhat mixed, as you don't fully know what "brother" means.

Your Firsts

• You took your first step - chasing a food, what else! (a dill pickle, for those curious)
• You learned your first word - "Hi" and greet everyone, from the TV anchors to Mommy and Daddy to the Christmas tree with it.  You have since also added "Da-da-da-da" but we're still not sure that you fully know what you mean and "nom nom" for when you're hungry.  Oh and you think that a sheep says "ha ha" which you will answer when we ask you what a sheep says!
• You celebrated your first Thanksgiving with all of Mommy's extended family - Christmas Dinner in Williamsburg with Daddy's family.  You continue to love visiting family and have a very sweet personality in travel, as well as large groups of people.  You are quite the star of the show wherever we go.  You also love the fact that our families have dogs that you get to play with, as dogs continue to be one of your favorites!
• You also went to the Museum of Fine Arts for the first time, dressed in your beret, and were quite a hit with the French tourists, as well as all the ladies.  You chattered through all of it!

Things you Like

• You continue to love all foods
• You love being tossed and tickled
• You LOVE to laugh and keep us giggling all the time!
• You love to read stories about animals - you really like dogs
• You love bath time
• You love the dishwasher, the microwave, and the refrigerator, as well as all the trash cans
• You really like being around people - family and friends

We love you buddy! :)