11 months!

Oh, boy! We've got an 11 month old! Yikes - this year has gone by waaaayyyyy too fast. Now that I'm back at school, I can't help but remember last year at this time (frantically making sure I had everything in order in case I delivered early, and eagerly anticipating meeting our sweet boy) . . . and I sort of miss those days (especially the first weeks with a tiny newborn)! In some ways it seems like last week - in any case, I can't believe Braden is already closing in on one year. Wow.

The great thing about B growing up is that he just keeps getting more fun! (More work too, but more fun!) He now has a mischievous side, and loves to laugh . . . one of my favorite things is when Billy and Braden are playing, and Billy gets Braden laughing hard - so funny!

Last night when we got home from a walk (and enjoying this beautiful fallish weather, as well as a stop at Yotty's!), Braden was in the mood to be a busy body. He was making laps around the kitchen, into the living room, and back.

He still loves to hang out in front of the dishwasher and check out his reflection . . .

It's a good thing B is so active . . . check out the little belly he has acquired since eating more "real" food (and he hasn't met anything he doesn't like)!

He sure loves his meals! ;) Braden is starting to show interest in using a spoon, but usually feeds himself with his fingers.

Sometimes he just likes to bite on the spoon . . .

And it is always fun just to get messy!

This was a BIG month for Braden. At 11 months he:

• is walking!!! (and sometimes trying to run - this does not work well, but is funny to watch)

• claps/plays patty cake

• sometimes waves bye bye (Grandma Jane has the best luck with this one)

• sometimes will do "so big" - often after a delay

• has learned how to (safely!) scoot down the steps on his bottom - so he can now go up and down (but yes, we still use the gates)

• is wearing size 9 - 12 month clothing (and a few 6 mth items), and size 2/3 diapers

• loves cantaloupe, string cheese, bananas, and ice cream - but will eat anything. He chowed down on broccoli and chicken one night this week - I am thrilled that he is not one bit picky about trying new foods

• will bring objects to us (yes! this skill will start to come in handy!)

• laughs a lot

• gets worried when mommy or daddy leave a room - if he is left alone, he follows you

• likes feeling/touching different textures

• has eyes that are looking more brownish than bluish

• takes a good afternoon nap (around 2 hours, sometimes more or less), but is sometimes dropping his AM nap (not sure how pleased we are!) depending on how early he wakes up in the AM (he started a new trend about 2 weeks ago of waking at 6 (!!!) instead of 8) . . . however now that he is back at daycare, he is worn out at night and has been going to bed earlier (8ish).

And, as always, here are the monthly pics (and a sampling from the past, this time from most to least current):

11 months:

9 months:

5 months:

1 month: