11 Month Newsletter

Dear Rory,

As you can probably see, I'm at little late at writing your 11 month newsletter, and I have to admit that there's a bit of a psychological reason for this. Now that you're eleven months old, that means that you are that much closer to being twelve months old, and honey, I'm just not ready for that yet. I am not prepared to be the mother of a one year old, a TODDLER, if you will, and so I decided that if I didn't write this month's newsletter, than perhaps I could hold back time for just a bit, and keep you my baby just a little bit longer.

Well, it didn't work. Go figure.

You are hurtling your way into toddler-hood at warp speed, and nothing short of the world ending could possibly slow you down. I couldn’t possibly list all of the things you learned to do this month without writing a small novel, because you do something new EVERY SINGLE DAY. So instead I’ve decided to just list some of the highlights:

• Playing hide and seek. It’s the extended version of your favorite game Peek-A-Boo and it just keeps getting better and better.

•Talking – This month’s words are hot (pronounced “HoTTTTTTT”), ducky (pronounced “DeeDee”), kitty (pronounced “KeeKee”) and Woof Woof (pronounced as two grunts), Daddy and of course, the favorite from last month, light. (Notice there is still no Mama anywhere in this mix.)

•Singing and Dancing – Almost too cute for words! You’ve started tapping your feet and swinging your arms from side to side when you hear music that you like (I dance around you all the time, so we knew it was only a matter of time before it rubbed off on you!) You also “sing” – only one note, but boy, can you hold it! And you look so serious when you do it, like a tiny little opera singer. I melt every time you do it.

•Eating, Eating, Eating – My God, child, can you put it away! You only have two bottom teeth still, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping you in the least. Your favorites right now are Nutrigrain bars, teriyaki tofu, and Craisins, but really you will eat almost anything that fits in your mouth. People wonder why I’m losing so much weight… it’s because you’re eating all my food!

•Creeping around – okay, so you’re not walking yet, but I’m okay with that because I have a feeling that you won’t walk, you’ll RUN. But you are starting to get around by holding onto the furniture and that in itself gives us enough to worry about without you being totally mobile on your feet. Sorry to say it, kid, but I see leashes in your future.

•Riding on the bike with Daddy – This month you were finally big enough to go in a bike seat, a moment your Dad has been waiting for since you were born. He immediately went out and bought you your first bike helmet, and I’ll be damned if it isn’t the cutest thing on earth!



•Giving the High Five – Hitting things is a favorite pastime of yours anyways, so it seemed only right to teach you how to give people five. Of course, we taught you in Spanish (since we’re so multi-cultural and all, haha), so you only respond to “Dame cinco”, but hey, it’s still pretty cool.

•Getting Your First Haircut - Quite the adventure! At first, you sat still because you were interested in what was going on, but after a minute or two, you were like, GET ME OUTTA HERE! It's a wonder there's any hair left on your head at all considering how much you squirmed!



And last but not least - TEMPER TANTRUMS! Yup, your temper has reared it's ugly head and you're determined to show us who's boss. You throw your arms up over your head so we can't hold you and then arch your back until your head slams on the ground behind you. Kinda graceful, actually, but I can imagine that your head is getting a bit sore. I realize it's because you are frustrated that you can't communicate what you want, but couldn't you find a more gentle way to assert yourself? Like Baby Sign Language? Just something for you to consider...

Don't worry though, little man, I still love you, temper tantrums and all.

Happy eleventh month...
Love,
Mama