11 months old!

Dear precious Eli,

11 month picture

You've had quite the month! We had your first plane ride, your first zoo experience, and many others recently. I hope I can remember it all as I write this!

Watching the seals at La Jolla beach

Right after your 10 month bday, you gave up army crawling officially and have been on your hands and knees ever since - no matter the flooring. You are quite the speedster these days and very determined in your path. You like to make a beeline to dad's nightstand because you can usually find a remote somewhere around there. You love electronics -- remotes and phones top the list! When you hold them, you often put them up to your ear (well, technically behind your ear, but we'll get that straightened out soon) and start jabbering. It's adorable.

You were officially weaned to formula about a week after your 10 month bday. I have some milk still in the freezer, but you refuse to drink it now so we'll see how that is put to use (or perhaps thrown away, much to my chagrin!). You still take 4 bottles a day, although you are starting to drink less. Some bottles you drink 5 oz, and others you drink 8.5! Always trying to keep me on my toes, little one! I have tried putting formula in your sippy, but you really don't like that idea. You like water (and water only - you don't like juice yet!) in your sippy cups and formula in your bottles. I'm hoping that the transition to cows milk will be ok in a sippy since it will be cold and not formula.

You are still a great eater - yesterday we went to lunch with some friends and you ate more than we did! You insist on feeding yourself, so a tray is very handy. You still love black beans, green beans, cheese, any fruit, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, nectarines, pears, fish sticks, quesadillas, grilled cheeses, fish and turkey dogs. You aren't loving yogurt right now (perhaps you're a little sick of it?) so you're getting lots of fruits, toast or whole grain waffle, and breakfast bars. You love those! Oh, and naturally you still love cheerios! The only food you let me feed you right now are the pureed pouches of food (like Ella's kitchen, Happy Baby, or Plum Organics). This was often the easiest way to feed you while on vacation, and you happily complied. I think you like that you can suck on it like a straw.

I'm not so excited about this new trick!

Oh, remember how I bragged about how you didn't throw food last month? Welp. As always, I know better than to brag about anything b/c nearly two weeks after typing that you started throwing food on the floor! You typically start when you are getting full or tired of sitting in your highchair. I'm convinced I need a steam mop (Do any of you have one? I haven't started researching yet and would love your feedback!) to get up some of the smashed peas.

We had another snowy month so we had one more round of Eli in the snow pictures. You had fun holding on to our fingers and walking through it - you were pretty intrigued with all the white stuff! As a result, "Spot's Snowy Day" became your favorite book. You can point to the birdy, puppy, and other items on the page. We've read it so many times!

You still love pushing anything that will move (your highchair, the stools in the living room, kitchen chairs, kitchen table!, etc), but haven't taken any steps on your own yet. Your dad and I have caught you standing unsupported a few times, but you won't let us trick you into doing it again. You're pretty stubborn! You've started dancing with your arms a bit to music and you crack up at me when I dance. I must be funny (or funny-looking!). ;) You still don't really like sitting still for dressing or changing diapers, but you'll endure it with a toy in your hands.

How long are we supposed to be able to use these things??  He hits his head on it all the time now!

Your 6-12 month jeans are officially too short. You're wearing most of your 6-12 month stuff for the cooler weather, but 12-18 month short sleeved shirts and some pants. We have a new pair of size 4 Nike shoes that are velcro and the easiest shoes to put on.

One of your funniest tricks this month is making your "cheese" face. You do it best when I use the flash on my camera. You make the whole room laugh when you do it! You also started using this face a little when you fake cry. I still laugh when you do that, and you usually end up laughing too. You also started putting your head on the ground when you are upset - it's like a mini-fit. It, too, is pretty cute, but I try not to laugh at this one.

Cheese!

We went on our first family vacation this month, too. We went to San Diego for the NWA (National Watermelon Association) Convention! Wahhooo! ;) You and I hung out and went for walks while daddy went to meetings. You had your first taste of watermelon here and loved it! It seemed pretty appropriate. We spent a lot of time walking around - fortunately you love your stroller too! You love watching everything as we walk around. You also got to see the ocean for the first time - definitely beating your dad and my records for when we got to experience that! Unfortunately, it was too cold to swim in the water, so we'll have to save that first for later. You did so well on your flights - you slept almost 2 hours on the first flight... on my lap!! You normally prefer to be in your bed, so I was nervous you wouldn't sleep, but you seemed to understand that wasn't an option and just snuggled up and got comfy! It was so sweet! If you weren't sleeping, you were standing up and looking around - trying to find someone to play peek-a-boo with you! You made friends quickly! I'll do a separate vacation post later.

Your 7th tooth appeared pretty quickly after last month's post. And, you've started biting your fingers and drooling again, so I think more are on their way. You still take 2-2 hour naps a day and sleep from 7pm-7:15am or so.

I just think he looks like such a big boy in this picture with Grandma Shelby!

Toliet paper no longer resides on the holder.

We laugh so much with you - your daddy and I are just absolutely smitten! We love you to pieces and basically don't get out of your face until you're asleep. :) You are the biggest blessing in my life!

We love you through and through.
Mom