Ten Months

Height: 28"

Weight: 17 lbs.

The sticker definitely doesn't stay on his shirt anymore. It worked on the chair for about 30 seconds, until he found it there. The little stinker started slowly standing up and tried to be sneaky about pulling it off.

This is the face I got when I was telling him "No."

We are a really fun, really exhausting stage right now (which is probably descriptive of childhood). Sleep is still a guessing game every night. There is no discernible pattern to his waking/sleeping. He typically wakes up 2-3 times a night, but the times aren't consistent. We do everything you're "supposed to do" to help your baby sleep through the night (regular bedtime routine, put baby in bed drowsy but not asleep, the room is dark with one small nightlight, he uses a sound machine, etc.) but it really doesn't seem to matter to him. I go through cycles where I'm extremely frustrated by this and am determined to fix it (which obviously doesn't work) and I'm currently in the part of the cycle where I just accept that this is a season and we'll get through it and I take regular naps to make up for the sleep I lose at night. 

Thankfully, he's still a good napper. He takes two naps every day that are about 1.5-2.5 hours long. He doesn't wake up for the day until 9:00 most mornings and I'm very, very grateful for that. 

He doesn't have any baby food purees anymore. So far, I haven't found anything he doesn't like or won't eat. I cut up fruits, vegetables, and meat for him and he loves to feed himself. Sky gets to come in for floor clean up duty, which is the only time I think he likes Peter. 

At Peter's 9 month appointment, the Dr. was concerned that he wasn't making any discernible sounds, so we got some hand-outs and information on how to help him learn to talk. I wasn't worried about him and was actually pretty annoyed by the whole discussion because I already talk to Peter all day and I figure he'll start talking when he's ready. Well, wouldn't you know that the day after his appointment, he started making these specific sounds they want him to make! He says, "Buh", "Guh", and "Oooo" and also does a fake laugh that is pretty great.

His separation anxiety is much better these days. He will play independently for quite a while and doesn't seem to mind other people holding him. When he gets sleepy, he will cry if I leave him and go to another room, but that's about the only time he seems to mind. 

Some Current Favorites:

*Patting his hand on anything within reach

*Diving face first off the furniture

*Cheerios, Bananas, Applesauce

*Sky, though Sky is still not really interested in Peter

*Emptying cabinets and unloading laundry baskets

We've been at home a lot this month. There hasn't really been anything too exciting for us. Kory's been gone to a couple camps/weekend retreats, but Peter and I have been home doing regular, every day stuff. Maybe we'll have a more adventurous 11th month!

Of course, the big news from this month is that Peter's walking! He took his first steps on a Saturday, and by that Tuesday, he was taking 12-15 steps at a time and he's never looked back since! I need to order some shoes for him so he can walk outside. He has a pair of TOMS I really love but they're a little bit too big and they trip him every other step, so we need something a little smaller for now.

These walking pictures are clear and sharp on my camera and computer until I put them on Blogger...I can't figure out why.

As we inch closer to a year, I get really excited about what's to come. Peter develops more personality every day and as much as I love snuggling a cuddly newborn, this stage is truly more FUN! I know the best is yet to come with this little guy and I'm incredible grateful I get to be with him each day. What a gift!