Ethan at Eleven Months

My baby boy is 11 months old today.  That means there is only one more month, or four weeks and three days, until his very first birthday.  I am totally not ready for all of this 'growing up' nonsense! I need to think of a way to keep him a baby forever ... but in the meantime, here is an update of our last month.

His expression in this pic - I die!

He can

Say 'Dada' and 'Ball'.  I didn't think he would ever talk! We've finally got some words, said appropriately.  Good job, E!

Stand on his own for about 15 seconds or so, even though he doesn't do it too often.  I think it's more of a confidence thing than anything, because seeing him standing, barely touching something, his legs are just so sturdy.  I try to practice with him every day, but I think, as with most things, it will happen when he is ready for it to happen.  He likes to do things on his own and be independent, and whenever we try to force something he just laughs at us. ;) I will say that for the last week, we've gotten an independent standing moment every day.

I think I'll also mention that he is waving appropriately more and more, too.  It's definitely not all of the time, but he's getting better and better at waving at people when it is time to say "hello."

He eats

He'll try most everything, but his favorites are tofu, apple slices, carrot sticks, and pretzels.

Not too much sweet (where did this kid come from?!), but he will chew on cookies occasionally.

He loves

Opening and closing doors.

His (sealed) tube of Chapstick - his favorite toy. Ha.


















Peter Rabbit stacking blocks from PopPop and Gigi.

Dancing.

Clapping his hands.

Music (which, if it floats his boat, he'll dance to).

Sesame Street.

Walks in the stroller and sitting in shopping carts.

Playing in water.

Pushing the crosswalk buttons, the garage door opener, and the Tivo button.

Target and Safeway.  He flirts with everyone there and always makes friends.

He hates

Getting his faced wiped off after meals.

When Daddy leaves for work.

He got

A fourth tooth! His top right tooth finally popped through.  He now has his fronts (top and bottom).

His first haircut!  He hated the process, because Mike and I had to hold his head still, and he so desperately wanted to look at our hairdresser, Sonya.  He thought she was just so super cool, and didn't like that he couldn't turn to keep looking at her.  Can I say, he looks like such a big boy now?  Every morning I put a little bit of Mike's hair product in his hair.  I say, "Okay Ethan, time for Mama to do your hair like Daddy's hair!" and he patiently waits for me to "style" his hair.  Adorable!


He had

A stomach bug for over a week. Poor baby!  His demeanor never actually changed, but the stomach bug caused lots of extra diaper changes, which in turn caused a horrible bout of diaper rash.  This caused him to really hate diaper changes, and caused lots of extra tears.  It also caused him to wake up in the middle of the night often, because he was so uncomfortable.  After talking with both the nurse on call and then also taking him into the doctor's, we're finally, finally seeing some major progress.  Less diaper changes, the diaper rash is almost gone, and we've got him transitioning to a new formula to give his tummy a break.  Phew.  He was a trooper!

He went

To the pumpkin patch!  For his first pumpkin patch adventure we went all the way, out to the country to a full on pumpkin extravaganza.  There were train rides, pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, and lots of fun to be had.  We didn't actually get a pumpkin this year since we'll be out of town for Halloween, but we did get some really cute pictures and some great memories.

To the Discovery Kids Museum in San Francisco.  We've been to the one in Las Vegas before, and this one was pretty great, too.  At both, his favorite has been playing in the water rooms.  He loves splashing and feeling the water rush over his hands.  He really could stay at that one part all day, but we did explore some other areas.  He got to crawl through a waterfall!  I'm sure he'll find places like this even more exciting as he gets older, but for right now, a good time was still had.

Big Events this Month

A visit from PopPop and Gigi!  The stayed for a little over a week and we got some really great quality time in with them.  They came with us to the pumpkin patch, to the Discovery Museum, and on lots of walks.  We can't wait to see them again when we visit the east coast and for E's first birthday!

We got family portraits taken, which was such an amazing experience.  I am forever grateful to our photographer, Ivan Makarov, for capturing these moments for us.

Thank you little boy, for making our family complete.