11 Months!

This handsome guy is 11 months old today! YAY! Where has the time gone? Liam is wearing size 9 month clothes. In the photo above he is wearing a 12 month outfit, the shirt has plenty of growing room, mama has to keep shifting it over to the side, as his little chest/nipples keep showing and the waist on the shorts has quite a bit of room and they look like pants! So we're not officially in the 12 month clothes yet. We weighed Liam about a week ago, I think he was almost 20 lbs., I don't remember the exact weight. We'll have to weigh him and measure him today... if we can catch him (he's all over the place).

Aren't his shoes adorable?! Some new friends of ours have a little boy named Caden who is about 14 months old (sorry if I got that wrong Caden!). He gifted Liam a TON of adorable clothes, shoes, socks, hats, blankies & other gear. We are SO grateful for their friendship... truly a wonderful, nice family who have taken us into their hearts like family. What a blessing! Thanks Jenee, Derek, Caden & Rye (we really need to make it a priority to get photos of the boys together for our blogs!). Updated Friday night--here are the boys playing today:

Per Babycenter.com, most 11 month olds can:
*Say Mama & Dada to the correct person: funny we were just talking about Liam saying "dada" and "mama" to the correct parent and wondered when he figured it out. Babies are so funny... they internalize everything and then one magical day you realize they understand something you didn't even know they were practicing. Liam says "dada" a great deal and used to be all I'd ever hear. Lately, he's started saying "mama" when we're home together and the "dada" doesn't come out until Kevin returns from work or they're spending time together. And a couple weeks ago at dinner he looked at Kevin and said "dada", then looked at me and said "mama" so he definitely knows who we both are. We also go over it during dinner, as we have family photos right along the wall next to the dinner table.

*Play patty-cake & peek-a-boo: he's played peek-a-boo for some time, but patty-cake is just not his thing. He's seriously just not interested. I try playing it with him almost daily. At first he LOVED it, now he could careless. I keep playing it, hoping one day he'll care! He can do it though, so I'm not too worried!

*Stands alone for a couple of seconds: he can stand for a good while without support. He used to be pretty timid about it (he'd sit down as soon as he figured out he was standing unassisted) but now he'll pull up on something, let go and continue playing regardless of whether or not he notices what he's doing!

*Cruises: he does cruise a bit, but no where near as much as he used to. Now, he'd rather walk along with you (one handed). I think we're ALMOST walking.

Half of 11 month olds can:
*Understand "no" and simple directions: ha! I just posted about the "no" word and how much Liam LOVES it (hehe!). Well Kevin, I guess you're right--he does have the ability to understand that word. Seriously though, Liam UNDERSTANDS "no" but may challenge you anyways. Although over the past few days we've made real progress and he's starting to stop doing the action that the "no" was directed toward (until you leave the room anyways). Today at music class I asked him when we were "all done" to "drop" into the basket and he did. (Side note-we started a music class here on base that is FABULOUS and I HIGHLY recommend called Music Together, check your area to see if they have a program!). And he will give mama "kisses" when asked to. So he is following some directions (depending on his mood, ha!).

*Puts objects into container: he loves doing this with the blocks his Auntie Kimber got him. And some of his toys make it back into the basket via his doing, does that count?!

A few 11 month olds can:
*Say one word besides Mama & Dada: Liam says "baa dah" (bad dog), "daa daa" (dada), "maa maa" (mama) and a variety of unidentifiable words. Funny, I remember just a few months ago telling Kevin I was worried because Liam was not very vocal. Ha! Those days are LONG behind us now!

*Stoops from standing position: have not seen him do this!

Yesterday Liam and I ventured out for some fun with some friends. Aj (Azura) is Liam's lil' gal pal, she is a few weeks younger than Liam.

At the library, they have a large foam book in the children's area. Aj & Liam loved climbing on it!

And here they are driving the rocket @ the commissary (not a flattering photo of Liam, but the only one I have!)

I will admit it, I cried at dinner tonight while Liam fed himself. I just poured my heart and soul out to Kevin. WHEN did this child get to be 11 months old? I would love to have a redo (but only knowing what I know now). I would slow down, enjoy it more, stress less and be a more perfect mother. I guess that's the problem with me... I am a perfectionist and just don't think I did it with 100% perfection. But, Kevin is right... I did it with 150% effort, 150% love and 150% passion and that is ALL I could/can do. I am feeling a bit better about my son turning 1, but still cannot help wanting my baby back.