11 Months

One month away from the big ONE year old bash...We cannot believe how incredibly fast this year of firsts for our baby boy is passing by. I am both sad and excited...sad, because my baby is growing up way to quickly...excited, because every day brings new discoveries for Zachary and watching him learn and grow and experience new things warms the soul.

Zachary is quite the busy little man...unstoppable energy and determined to keep up with his big sister. He cruises everywhere...scaling walls, cabinets, your legs, anything and everything is game for support so Zach can cruise where he needs to go. He has taken his first baby steps, however, takes great caution before just letting go of his support. He cracks me up when walking behind the shopping cart, only because he is not tall enough to see over the top, thus has no idea where he is headed...makes him smile though!

The stairs...Zach mastered these a while ago, but is truly obsessed with them. We really have to keep an eye on him since we do not have a gate at the bottom. He loves to climb...on stairs, on pillows, on us if we are laying on the ground. He is quite the little monkey.

We have decided we need a new nickname for our sweet boy...as the next pics are a good representation of how you will often find him...with something hanging out of his mouth...just like a little puppy! Seriously...this cracks us up!

At 11 months Zachary:

• has discovered door stops, central vac outlets, toilet paper and his favorite...the water in the toilet.
• is all about mischief! He loves cabinets and is rather obsessed with the one that has the majority of my Tupperware (which I am obsessed with keeping very organized). He could care less that we have a special cabinet just for him...he prefers all others instead. Of course Riley doesn't help when it comes to the discipline, as she finds great humor in his mischief...which only fuels the fire.
• loves to play with straps, but hates to be strapped down. He will play with the straps on his high chair, car seat, wagon...you name it...but when it comes to being strapped down, especially in a high chair...he is not so fond and will bang his head back against the back to make the message loud and clear. He does not even care for being held much anymore, as I guess he feels constrained...thus he tries to jump out of your arms to freedom...and has come very close on multiple occasions to being dropped because he is stronger than you would guess for a little guy.
• had his first busted lip, which was caused from falling forward on the hardwood floor. I am sure it will not be the last, as he is all boy and loves to rough house, but I don't know that I am ready for the possibility of stitches in the near future!
• finally has more 2 more teeth, for a total of six. I thought this might help encourage him to take to more soft table foods, but not so much. He still prefers smooth textures, except for crackers, Cheerios, and his little crunchies.
• loves being chased, clapping to music, giving hi fives, playing peek-a-boo.
• he is still obsessed with his mommy, but will drop everything to be with his sister.

Happy 11 months Zachary...Can't wait to celebrate your first year in just a matter of weeks.