11 Months Old

A year ago this time, we were just anxiously awaiting your arrival. Little did we know that we had a whole month to go before we met you! We were expecting you to come in mid November instead of after Thanksgiving.

I seem to have lost the cord to connect the camera to the computer, so there aren't too many pictures this time.

Little Olivia you are really growing into your own person. There is one major word I have to describe your personality the last month: stubborn! You are really starting to have your own likes and dislikes and you are not afraid to share that with us.

You have gone from eating anything, anytime to being very picky. Foods you like: anything that is completely pureed and liquid and Puffs. Food you don't like: everything else. If it has even a hint of texture, forget about it. You will pick up finger foods (such as carrots, bananas, cheerios, apples), put them in your mouth and spit them back out. Over and over and over. Even baby food that has little pieces in it comes right back out of your mouth. You used to eat cheerios but after we started giving you Puffs, you just started throwing cheerios on the ground. We are just going with it. I figure you will start using those teeth whenever you are ready to!

You also will not take a bottle at Sonshine School. At all, ever. But as soon as you get in the car in the parking lot, you are asking for it. You still nurse about 3 times a day, but you started taking a bottle more often this month.

You love to explore your world. You really have loved the nice weather and always want to go outside. Anytime we go to the front door to open it, you squeal with delight. You love walks, swinging and even just sitting on the porch. You are a very good crawler and you can get places fast. You can pull up to standing and stay steady on your feet if you are holding on to something. Your biggest challenge is that you don't know how to get down and usually end up just letting go and falling!

You are a big reader. You have several favorite books, but really like to read anything. You will often go pick out a book, bring it to me and sit expectantly for me to read it.

You tell us where you want to go by pointing or gesturing with your hand. It is usually outside, but sometimes you want someone to take you to another room.

You have four teeth now. You love to feel of them with your fingers. You have four words that I know you have used understanding the meaning: "dada" (daddy), "nana" (nurse), "da" (dog), and "mama" (mama). Well, the last one is kind of hopeful. I know you have said it but I am really not sure it has been directed at me yet!

I still hear people say often that you are the prettiest baby they have seen. Of course I agree! But my prayer this month is that I will be able to help nurture those things that are inside of you! That strong personality that is emerging is just what God intended. As much as I miss my teeny tiny baby, every day with you is an exciting new adventure and I am so happy to be your Mama.