Emerson: 11 Months

June 1, 2013

• You are wearing 12-month clothing almost entirely, with the exception of a few 18-month pajamas and pants...that are hand-me-downs, and have almost surely been shrunk. You can't possibly be big enough for that size yet.
• You are cutting another bottom tooth, and it's been a difficult few days. You had a fever at first, and now seem to have some tooth-related congestion that's interfering with your nighttime sleeping. You've woken up for several nights now, and spent the rest of the night on the couch with Mommy. 
• Aside from the teething, you're going to sleep on your own easily after bedtime, and usually still waking once around 4:30 a.m. to eat before waking up around 6:30 a.m.
• Morning naps are rarity, and are brief if they do happen. Around 1:00 p.m., though, you're ready for a nap, and rest in Mommy's bed after nursing. 
• Bedtime is usually between 7:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• There have been a few nights where you have fallen asleep on the changing table just before your bath, and slept through putting pajamas on. You're one busy girl these days, and just get worn out!
• You stand up in your crib now, and usually cry harder when you see Mommy come through the door. It's quite a strange sight to see you upright! Clearly, you don't feel like a turtle on your back in there any longer. 
• Your breakfasts usually consist of a fruit (blueberries, mangoes, strawberries) and Cheerios or a few bites of bagel. Lunch is usually deli turkey with cottage cheese and a fruit, and often bites of leftovers from dinner. For dinner, you're eating variations of Mommy and Daddy's meal, usually, and continue to have a good appetite. 
• You're nursing around four times a day, but seem to enjoy it the most when you wake-up in the morning...and at 4:30 a.m. Other times, it's just "touching base" more than anything, and your feeding just before bed seems to be starting to make you mad. 
• You are pulling up and cruising with confidence! You are vertical more often than not these days, and prefer being upright to being on your hands and knees. You cruise along the couch, the windowsill, the raised flower beds, the fireplace...anything you can.
• Royal still brings you such joy, and he is so patient with you. You've taken his toys to him several times, and he wants to play with them, but he knows his strength...and usually ignores you. Looking for him in the house is one of the best distractions when you need distracting....
• "Can Mommy have a kiss?" usually leads to a big, open-mouthed, slobbery kiss from you. You are learning to show affection and it's beautiful. 
• You love being outside. You've become brave in the backyard, and no longer stay on the blanket, preferring your bare feet in the grass and exploring on your own. You enjoyed the plentiful dandelions this month, and tried to blow them...but you ended up eating a couple, too.
• You are out of the baby bathtub now. What used to be a somewhat relaxing time for Mommy and Daddy has become far more stressful. You don't sit in the water. Instead, you prefer to be cruising along the side, to play with the soap bottles or simply because you enjoy being upright. It's slippery, though, and Mommy and Daddy take turns holding you up as you explore. 
• You imitate actions frequently now...blowing on food to cool it down, finger to mouth to "shhh",  pointing the remote to the television screen. You are watching and learning all the time, and your observation and ability to mimic amazes me.
• When you find a magazine or your travel changing pad or a piece of clothing on the smooth, kitchen floor, you love to push it around. It helps you go faster...and you don't have to move your arms as you crawl.

• Before you do something that you know you aren't supposed to do, you usually look at Mommy and Daddy with your chin down, and shake your head "no". It's priceless. 
• You are ticklish, and your precious giggles are my favorite sound.
• You love to be chased on the floor, and look behind you constantly as we crawl together. "I'm gonna get you! You'd better run!" You usually stop crawling, though, just because you love the armpit-tickles that follow so much.
• When someone leaves the room or an object disappears, you usually put your arms up in a questioning pose with a high-pitched "huh?" noise..."where did it go?" It's one of your favorite tricks.
• Knocking down a pile of blocks is fun for you, too...particularly because then you're able to put your hand on your face, as in "oh, no!" That's the best part!

Just when it seems you can't possibly get any more fun...you do! 

You amaze and inspire me. Every single day.
I love you, precious Emerson.