Watch Me Grow: 11 Months

We are one month away from having a one-year-old.

I'm already a mess. And it's just like everyone said it would be.

I'm that sappy mom who whimpers at the site of one of his baby onesies, cries when looking at old pictures, and sulks when he wants to do something himself. And when he pushes me away? Oh, this mom has a downright meltdown.

I'm just not sure I'll ever come to terms with this toddler stuff. It's horrifying, really. I guess I need to face the facts and let it happen.

Carson at 11 months:

In the Closet: Mainly 12 months, some smaller, some larger 

Diapers: Size 3, but just getting through our stock. We have the 4s ready for your tushy. 

Teeth: Five! Two on the bottom and three on the top.

Grub: Most anything and everything. Except honey and nuts of course. You try it. You like it. You eat it. And when you don't like it? You throw it on the floor. And then Jake comes running.

Sleep: 11-12 hours. Love you for this child.

New Activity/Development: Walking, but not very well. You're close buddy.

Loves: Blueberries and animal crackers. Going upside down. Climbing Stairs. Walking toys. Getting into everything. A little game I call "hide and appear"...hide around anything...doors, chairs, blankets, coffee tables, toys....then appear. You love it and laugh hysterically.

Hates: Being ignored. Getting your diaper changed when you don't feel like it. Falling down when you are tired (your screams could be heard a mile away). Vacuums.

Carson, you are such a big boy.

I can't believe how independent you have become. You don't like us to hold your bottle, you don't like to be rocked, you push our hands away if you don't want something, and you make it very apparent something isn't going your way by screaming very loudly.

At least you still give me the occasional cuddle at bedtime. They are few and far between, but those nights, the nights you let me rock you to sleep, are just priceless.

Two nights ago, I found myself holding you so close, and so tight, just staring at you for what seemed like five minutes. Forty-five minutes later, I finally managed to lay you down and tip-toe out of your room.

Your dad and I sometimes fight over who gets to put you down. I always win. But that's because he is a gentleman and gives me what I want. Are you taking notes?

I just can't help it. It's the one time I can stare at you, play with your hair, stroke your cheeks, touch your little lips and kiss you goodnight without you trying to pull away to play with the next thing you can discover.

Discover. Huh, that's a word you should know. It seems you are discovering each and every thing you are not supposed to. I like to call you my tiny destructor because that's what you are. I pick up the same mess three times before we even walk out the door in the mornings.

Speaking of morning. You have a thing for pooping right before we walk out the door. Every. Single. Morning. Is that your way of saying you wanted just five more minutes with your mommy?

I'll take it.

The other day, you were trying to knock over the tall glass vase in the basement, I, from across the room say, "Carson, no, no." You stop, look up at me and start shaking your head left to right. Brian and I were both like, "where did he learn that!"

So what do you do? Go back for the vase, so we say no again. And you shook your little head back and forth again. It was so so cute.

You took your first steps this past Sunday. A few days past your 11-month birthday. You have been trying a lot more this week, but you seem to fall a lot. I have a feeling you'll be an actual walker by next week.

Can't we please just stop the time and enjoy this very moment, right now? I don't want to think about tomorrow, or you walking, or your first birthday, or your first day of kindergarten, or when you leave me for college. You better to go to college mister.

I just want to think about tonight. Your very first Halloween.

A night where we will dress you up and take lots of pictures, goo and ga at you in your costume while you look at us like we're crazy.

We're not crazy sweet boy. Just totally in love with you.

But for tonight, I just want to enjoy our not-yet-one-year-old.  

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5 Months
4 Months
3 Months
2 Months
1 Month
Newborn