11 months.

I love my little eleven month old boy!  Eleven months ago I was just as round as ever and thinking that our little babe could be making their arrival any day!  And then we waited...and waited...and waited... And then he was born on the perfect day for him to be born. : )

Levi has not been a food lover this month.  He'd rather feed himself more than anything, but he doesn't get much into himself that way, especially since he has discovered that he can throw his food off of his high chair tray.  Ugh.  He looks us right in the eyes, puts his little hand over the edge and slowly opens it so his food falls.  Other times he just throws it too, but it's the times when we tell him not to and he looks right at us and does it again...those are the times when I realize that we'll have many fun times to come with this boy!

Levi loves to play.  This month, his favourite things to do have been playing in (emptying) my cupboards, stacking things to make towers, putting little toys into bigger toys (eg. small ball into larger cup or small link into toilet bowl), and pushing chairs around.  He loves to walk along anything that will keep him up and is getting a bit more adventurous in letting go, though for the most part he's still rather be holding onto something.  I imagine walking will be happening fairly soon.  The only question is before or after the 12 month mark??

Levi is no heavy-weight.  He's been stalled in the 17-19lb range for the past, hmm...6 months?  He is certainly getting taller each month, though!  And really, as long as he's healthy (which he is), I don't mind carrying around a little gaffer!  Saves my arms/back!

Levi laughs fairly easily, but has also discovered yelling.  When he doesn't get what he wants or has something taken away from him or a door closed in his face, he'll let you know!  He is like a light-switch, that boy.  One minute he's happy, then he's mad and yelling, then he's happy again, all within 30 seconds.  I tell ya...who'd he get that trait from??

Everything still goes in his mouth.  Toys, grass, ROCKS...you put it in front of him and it's in his mouth in 3 seconds flat.  He'll often latch onto a particular toy while he's playing and will carry it around in his mouth while he plays with other toys.  I'm thinking this must have as much to do with teething as anything.  Speaking of teeth, he has 8 now, two more in the past month.  He's kindly decided to reserve his biting for times when he's hungry, much to my relief.  Before, my shoulders would be all red from his little teeth biting me.  Ouch!  Now I know that if he bites, he needs to be fed asap.  What a great discovery.

He is still napping twice a day, 10am and 2pm but I'm wondering how much longer that will last!  He had his first kayak ride this month.  He also had his first haircut this month. And, he learned to wave!  (That may or may not have anything to do with his daddy having a full time job as of this month and him leaving the house every morning and afternoon.  Lots of opportunities to practice!)

Love you little boy!  In one more month we'll celebrate your first birthday...and what a celebration it will be!