So Big!

Whit turned 11 months old on Monday!!  We keep thinking back to last summer when we were a month away from delivery, putting the final touches on the nursery, enjoying a "baby-moon" in Galena, and trying to wrap our heads around what parenthood would be like.  Now-just one short year later-Whit is no longer a baby!  We've heard from several people lately that he lost his "baby-face."  We could not agree more!  I guess I would be lying if I didn't say that I was a bit sad to see the baby stage disappearing, but watching him grow & learn and acquire new skills each day is far outweighing any sadness.  In the last week he has become adept at pulling himself up to a standing position, and I think he feels the need to try out this new trick on every piece of furniture in our home!  Hopefully he'll figure out which ones are the most stable so there aren't many injuries along the way.  Today he was trying out a cabinet in the dining room, and grabbed onto his walker for support...that ended in a minor disaster, but was quickly fixed with some mommy love.  

Now that Whit is an expert at pulling himself up, he's working on getting himself back down.  It's pretty funny to watch him "test the waters" as he prepares for his descent.  He really seems to be cautious and thoughtful before plopping himself down.  

The other big accomplishment/change for Whit is that he is now a whole-milk drinker!  My goal was to nurse for one year, and it has gone really well.  But with some changes in childcare this fall and my new passion for running, we decided to start weaning him when he turned 11 months-hopeful he would be completely weaned by August.  The process went much quicker than I had expected, and he was doing great with the whole milk, so we just went for it!  By day 4 he was done and is doing great.  He continues to amaze us with his pleasant demeanor and flexibility.  

Now that Whit is a little boy and no longer a baby, we are seeing more and more of his personality come through.  He is currently sitting in his high chair doing some kind of happy dance, flailing his arms, shaking his head, babbling, and grinning from ear to ear.  I'm cracking up at this little burst of joy as I type.  It's rare that he pushes the limits, but we have had to begin some "disciplining."  We have been working hard on table manners-not smacking the tray or putting hands in the mouth; staying out of Lucy's dog food-for some reason he heads for every time he's in the kitchen; having independent play time in his pack and play.  I really think he understands when we tell him not to do something.  Every time we say no, he stops and looks at us, then seems to ponder if it's worth trying again or if he should move on to something else.  It seems so strange to be implementing "discipline" on an 11 month old, but so far it has been minimal and effective.  Now he just beelines for Lucy's food and points to it rather than putting his hand in it:)  

One of my favorite moments with Whittaker lately has been putting him down for naps/bedtime.  He's just so unbelievably sweet!!!  We talk and play as he gets his jammies on and we pick music for him to listen to.  I usually rock him for a few minutes until he lays his head on my chest, then I put him in his crib and he scrambles over to his pillow, lays down his head and looks at me with the most content little face.  It gets me every time!  I hope I can always remember these little moments as he grows over the years.  I have to say that we feel INCREDIBLY blessed and are so grateful for this summer at home as a family of three:)