Eleven Months!

Eleven months ago you arrived on the scene, Tommy, about ten days early. Ten was always my favorite number, so I think it was meant to be that you were 10 days early born on the 10th. You are a perfect 10 in my book!

You are on the verge of walking...several times on Sunday (8-8-10), you took 2 steps without holding on several times before plopping on your cutie patootie. You walk along the couches and other furniture holding on, so we know it's a matter of time. You FLY up the stairs with us chasing you, and you know going down is a whole other ball game, as you whine when I lure you to the top step and try to coax you into position to learn to go down. Today, on your 11th month birthday, when I arrived to pick you up from daycare, you took SIX steps on your own towards me! All of your teachers were talking about the 2-3 steps you'd taken several times today!


You are doing better with food stuff. I know I'm not really a good cook, but I'm trying. I don't know how to season anything, and the fact that I struggle to eat my veggies and fruits doesn't help either. I still buy you some jarred food for backup, but you have been eating more of the big people food that I puree for you. I try to keep it a little chunkier, but sometimes Mommy gets a little carried away with teh food processor. Apparently you like chocolate chip cookies. I heard through the grapevine that you had one at the big party we had so I was not surprised when you reached for one that I was about to eat this past weekend. But then you fell asleep before you could enjoy it!

Chocolate is not a stimulant for this boy!

Tommy checks out the 53" teddy bear at Costco on Saturday. If anyone buys this for him, I am not kidding, John will drive a few golf balls through your windows. WE DO NOT NEED IT. Tommy was a little overwhelmed by it.


You have been transitioning into the Rose Blossoms class (for 12-18 month olds) since mid July, and you are doing incredible! The teachers say there is NO crying on your part when you leave the Baby Buds room to go over to them, and you go back to Baby Buds without a problem as well. Your teachers are really working with you to get you to self-feed a little more too, and also to transition to a sippy cup. We all agree that you do LOVE your bottles, and are fighting the idea of becoming a big boy with regards to eating. But we have all seen improvement in that area!

You've been a little booger when it comes to sleep the past month...I really think this has a lot to do with your teeth, or lack thereof. Mommy has been reading TWO books (at the same time) trying to figure out what's going on with the sleep thing, since you were really SOOO good up until we got back from vacation last month. Mommy has broken her rules about bringing you in to bed more than a few times, but we're working on that. I already ignored you once tonight since I put you to sleep. It's not that I didn't want to come in and comfort you, but you do know how to self soothe. I know you do. You did it up until a month ago very well. You do fight your naps some days at school as well. You are usually taking 2 a day now, which is "normal" according to the books, but some days you do take 3. We're trying to get you on a little more consistent schedule with help from your teachers at daycare, so maybe that will help your night sleep issues get resolved soon too.


You are developing a bit of a vocabulary. Mama, dada, dat (for cat), Tuh (for Tux and Tails), ba (for bottle, ball, and just about everything else), plus we swear it sounds like you are repeating things that we say to you. The other day when Aunt Karyn brought over their new puppy Tobey, I think all of us heard you say "I like Tobey!" after Lexi told you to say it! You also like to yell a lot, especially while sitting in your highchair after dinner. We just go back and forth with each other. If I ask you what the cat says (or Tux and Tails), you actually say "maaooow" in this soft, precious voice. I love it! And when you hear one of the cats meow, you often respond in kind!

Hanging with cousin Lexi on Sunday in the grass

Future Man of your Dreams!


My cutie!

Checking Toby out with Aunt Karyn's help

Tommy got the biggest kick out of Toby on Sunday - he was hysterical laughing, throwing his toys around for him, and as you can see here, actually petting him, nice and gentle. Everytime Toby barked, Tommy laughed even harder!

Yes, I am officially 11 months old in this photo!

Do I have to go to school on my 11 month birthday?

Snapped this shot as I pulled out of the driveway today and Daddy was buckling Tommy in the car seat. Sort of a little ritual - I roll down my window and call to Tommy, who pops his head out to look at me. This is one of the FEW times Tommy actually has had the binky in his mouth recently!

Bath time is crazy. You get so excited and will crawl in to watch while the tub fills with water. You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the starfish bathtoy! If it's not in the tub because you brought it somewhere the night before in the house, you do look for it! Getting you dressed is complete insanity. You would rather be naked running around. I am sweating after I finally get you dried off, a diaper on you, lotion rubbed in, and in your pajamas. Mornings are not much better. You are a squirmly little worm when it's time to change your diaper!

You amaze us every day Tommy, and I know you will continue to do so. When people ask "how's the baby" and they find out you are 11 months, their mouths hang open. If they can't believe you are that age already, how do you think I feel? A few short months ago we were worrying about your tummy time and getting you to roll over. Now we are watching you take your first steps without holding on. You will be off and running any day. I love you so much Tom Tom - thanks for choosing me to be your Mommy!