Teatopia

11 Months

My Doodle Bug,

I can't believe this is your last month as a "baby" baby. Next month, you'll be a toddler. How can this be? Of course, you'll always be my baby, but it's whistful to think how quickly this first year has gone by.

This month has been a big one for you. You have become so much more like a little girl. You're starting to only want our food. You grunt and point, and won't eat anything unless you think it's come from our plates. You don't even like your finger foods anymore. Gerber puffs, saltines, and Cheerios used to be your favorite thing ever! You're growing up! You listen to our conversations when we don't even realize it. The other night, I was nursing you, and telling my mom how impressed someone was today when you told them "bye bye" and waved. I didn't even think you were listening since you were drinking away, and you pulled off from me, waved to me, said "bye bye" and went back to nursing. The other night, someone said "tummy" and you began patting your tummy. You don't miss a thing!

This month, you've started doing what we call "monkey lips" like you did when you were a newborn. I missed it when you stopped, and I"m so excited you've started doing it again. I love it! My little monkey!!!!

You've really taken an interest in the dogs this month. You like to pat them, feed them, and chase them around the house. They love it! It's the most attention they've gotten since you arrived. You've also started trying to eat the dog food, so we have to be careful.

You're such a good helper! You like to try to do things for yourself, like trying to put on your own socks and shoes, which you rub on your feet trying to get them on. You pick up my chapstick and rub it on your lips, and you think all bottles and tubes are lotion. You touch the end of lotion bottles and them rub your face. When I put powder on you, you reach down and pat the powder on your little peeper. So smart and helpful!

Proably the most amazing thing about you is your vocabulary. I don't want to brag too much, but your vocabulary is incredible! I'm just so proud of you-- I'm your Mommy! It amazes us everyday, and complete strangers often tell me how smart you are! You're only 11 months, and you can say about 20 words, which you use correctly. Last week, you pointed to the stars in your book and said "daw!" You also can say "balloon" which sounds like "bawoo". There are other words you know, but cannot say. You know who everyone in our family is, and you point to them on command. We do read to you a lot. Afterall, your Mommy is/was an English teacher and a total bookworm! I hope you'll love to read, too. I just can't believe how fast you pick up new words. You're such a clever, clever girl!

You've also turned into a little sass! You mess with things you know you shouldn't and them you shake your finger at yourself. I think you also do it to get a rise out of me. As soon as I give a disapproving look, you start shaking your finger at yourself.

We've been taking a lot of walks lately, and you seem to love the new jogging stroller. You kick your feet while we walk and you often sing little made-up songs. You love any activity where you can hang out with your boyfriend Robbie, MF's handsome little man. Who knows, you two might even get married someday!

Other things I want to remember this month:

-- You're back to nursing a lot. You seem to like nursing more than solid food lately.

-- You are VERY allergic to eggs. Your face turns bright red within minutes if you have certain foods with egg. I'm hoping you'll outgrow your allergy with time.

-- Your legs are starting to have more shape, like a little girl's. They are still pudgy at the top, but your calfs are more defined.

-- You point at everything that interests you. EVERYTHING! It's neat because eventhough you can't tell us, we know what you want when you point to it.

Ok, I've got to save some for next month. I LOVE YOU, BABY GIRL! I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Hannah at March 11, 2007 10:39 PM