11 months and 2 weeks old

Lewis' 1st Birthday is almost here and I'm feeling very sentimental. Everyday I find myself thinking about what I was doing just a year ago and then thinking about the first time I saw his face and held him right after the birth. I know everyone says this, but it's true... I CANNOT believe it has been a year since he was born. This year has flown by and yet so much has happened.

The last few weeks Lewis has changed dramatically more than past weeks. Here is a little recap of his changes:

-He waves but not by opening and closing his hand but instead by twisting his wrist back and forth.
-He loves pulling clothes out of the dryer and drawers.
-He likes to roll balls around the rooms and chase after them- giggling the whole time. It's really precious.
-Lewis walks, but only if someone will hold his hand. Actually he will run, but only if someone will hold his hand. As soon as we let go he sits down. I know he can walk I just wish he knew it.
-I heard Lewis say, "No" to Tim in church when he was 'shhhing' him.
-Lewis says, "Mama" Mmm-o-mmm-yyy" and "Mom- Mom- Mom- Mom" all day long. Sometimes he does this while standing at my feet, pulling on my pants and stomping his feet! Yes, the 'I'm so frustrated but all I can do is yell and stomp my feet' has begun.
-Lewis loves to swing at the park.
-If we spend all day at home he goes a little stir crazy and pounds on the front door to go out.
-We had our 1st embarrassing restaurant experience on the way home from Thanksgiving. Lewis threw a fit in Cracker Barrel, but we cannot really blame him since he had been in the car all week! Other than this one time Lewis was extremely good while traveling for Thanksgiving.
-He loves to dance and pound his hands to a beat.
-He is very strong-willed but loves to have fun and laugh. He prefers to be around people and loves to talk to anyone.
-Thankfully, he still takes two long two hour naps.
-He hates shopping. Going to the grocery store is usually awful unless I give him snacks.
-Lewis will sit quietly flipping through the pages of his books for several minutes each day.
-I am gradually weening him and I hope to be done nursing by 13 months.

Ten and a Half Months Old

I cannot believe Lewis' first birthday is just around the corner. Lewis is 10.5 months now and doing well. Here is what he has been up to since I last posted:

- Lewis has become a good eater. He loves textures and really prefers them over blended baby food. Bananas, blueberry pancakes and bread are his favorite foods. We gave him chicken for the first time a few weeks ago and since then he has tried hamburger and fish. Besides a few days when he spit out everything I put in front of him, he has been good at the dinner table.

- He still isn't walking independently, but yesterday he stood up without any assistance. 

- He loves to mimic Tim and I and will do 'back-and-forth gestures' with us.

- His favorite toys are cars, books and balls. 

- Lewis gives lots of kisses and is very affectionate; although, he likes his personal space at times. He does not want to be constrained in anyway. For example, he does not like it if I place my hand on his side while nursing. Lewis wants to be free to move at all times! 

- Eight teeth have made their way through the gums.

- Thankfully, Lewis has become a much better sleeper. He goes to bed around 7:30 pm, nurses around 10:00 pm and then sleeps until 6:00 am. An hour later he takes a two hour morning nap. Then around 1:00 pm he takes another two hour nap.

- We are still nursing 4 times a day. I plan to keep these until his first birthday. I am hoping to drop one feeding a week until he's finished. I wouldn't mind if it didn't take four weeks, but I'm not trying to get my hopes up. 

- I have given him two haircuts. I know some people want to be 'natural' and wait till the first birthday, but I'm the one who has to look at it all day!

Below are some pictures from today. I know this is sad, but this was the first time we've played in our yard. Before you pass judgement:

1. Mosquitos are worse than flies down here.

2. It's finally cooled down.

3. Last spring he couldn't even sit up.

4. He breaks out in hives if I put him in grass without pants. (Just like me.)

5. We do go outside a lot, but we stay on the porch.

Happy boy.

My face is dirty, but that just means I'm having fun.

Chewing on that finger again!

Look at all these pretty leaves.

They taste nasty, but I keep putting them in my mouth.

"Come here and give me a hug."

Lewis sees the phone.

My favorite chew toy- Mom's Phone.

A shot from under the tree looking up.

Oh, we need to rake!

Aren't these so pretty?!?