11 months old!!

Dearest Henri,

We can't believe that you are 11 months old already. You have certainly given us a run for our money over the past several months! When I look at you today I can barely remember the 8lb 6oz baby that we joyfully brought home from the hospital. You have grown so much! You are now a whopping 22 lbs and almost 32 inches! You have three teeth on top (for biting) and one lone tooth on the bottom. Your hair is a beautiful auburn color and is growing to be quite long and straight.

Your personality is becoming more defined each day. You are quick tempered (like your daddy :-0) and can be very sensitive at times. In the morning we know you are awake because we can hear you "talking" or jumping up and down full force in your crib. You have quite the little temper when things aren't going your way. You are always cautious with your first bite of what we are serving and if you like it your mouth opens like a little chick. If you don't like what is on the menu you grunt and shake you head back and forth! Mommy and Daddy are getting more adventurous in our food offerings. Aside from the array of Gerber food we offer, your favorites are, yogurt, home made macaroni and cheese, bananas, kiwi, and the staple of every baby, whole grain puffs!

Last month you started walking, but now you are quite proficient! This week Memere taught you how to climb down from the couch. All you want to do lately is get a boost up and then climb down...over and over again. I haven't added to your repertoire of "tricks" lately, so you are still raising your arms when we say "up" and you wave hi on command. Grammie calls you the mayor of our road because when she takes you walking you wave to anyone and everyone in sight. I got a taste of this on Sunday when we went walking. You waved so much that people were honking their horns to say hello back.

You are finally into a tolerable sleep schedule :-) Most nights you go to bed at 7:30 after your bath. On a good night you will sleep all the way through till morning, but on a bad night you wake up 2 to 3 times and have to be rocked back to sleep. This can be quite exhausting for Mommy and Daddy.

You LOVE being around people. You are usually shy at first, but it doesn't take you long to warm up. Your smile is infectious and your little giggle is adorable. Mommy and Daddy see such wonderful things in your future and are so very lucky to be your parents! Happy 11 months, Monkeysaurus!!