You're the Big 1-0!

1/17/11

My sweet baby boy, you are 10 months old today! I cannot believe how close we are getting to your first birthday. This past month, your father and I have watched you become much smarter. This morning as I got ready for work, you were playing in my closet, and I caught you looking at yourself in the mirror and then looking behind it, as if you knew that a small child should be there. Of course, you stopped as soon as I grabbed the camera! You know how to share now; you pass objects to us when we ask you to or when you want to share. You recognize your name now and can wave “hello” and “goodbye.” You will give us a “high five” sometimes…when you want to do it, of course. You have also started signing. You are still fascinated with lights and will sign for light and for milk, although you have only done the latter a couple of times. When you want to nurse, I sign for milk and ask you if you want your “nursies” and your reaction communicates your desire. You can now mimic actions. Your father and I taught you how to play basketball; you drop the ball through the hoop now! Yesterday we even enjoyed a game of tossing the ball back and forth. You are very active. You love to play and interact with others. You will play by yourself some, but it is not too long before you want us to play with you, and that is a good thing! This means that you are sociable and love stimulation. I would not have it any other way! You still love your books. One day this past month, I left you playing in your playroom for one moment to return and find you in your bedroom reading your books! It is a good thing that we have a baby proof home! Your curiosity is never ceasing, so I try to let you help me as much as possible. I know that you are learning through your experiences and that your senses are helping you understand the world around you. You help me brush my teeth; you help me with laundry; you help me when I’m cutting coupons; you help me put on my make-up; you even helped me blow dry my hair this morning!

You had your first Christmas. You must have been a good baby boy because Santa brought you so many fun toys! You got to experience your first fireworks, and while the noise startled you, you enjoyed the colorful lights.

This month was filled with a ton of firsts! You took your first big boy bath. We had to put your green tub in storage when you started trying to stand up in it!

You also took your first vacation out of the state. We traveled to Branson, MO. You got to ride on a boat for the first time when we took a dinner cruise. Although we were only there for the weekend, we had a great time and look forward to the day that we will go back.

You had your first visit to the zoo. You liked seeing Sophie and riding the train!

You now have 7 teeth! You tried figs for the first time and LOVED them. You also had your first meat—some ham. Needless to say, you are your father’s son. You loved your meat.

You experienced your first New Year's Day with breakfast at Jane and David's!

You stood alone for the first time this month. You cruise all over the house now. You have pretty much given up your military crawl for the more traditional one. You no long have to pull to stand, but you can now stand yourself up when just balancing on something…most of the time my leg when I’m sitting on the floor playing with you!