11 Months.....REALLY?!?!

I can't believe the time has come for me to start thinking about my babies ONE YEAR birthday!!  My heart melts to think that my next post will include pictures from his first birthday and thoughts on my first year as a Mommy!  This has been an AMAZING year of challenges and blessings beyond what I could have thought or imagined....  I guess I'll get into that more next month.  As for now, I'll focus on the past month. 

WOW... our little boy has GROWN UP fast!!  He is more fun than ever these days.  Active, monkey, full of life, happy, tender-hearted, determined, smart, loving, and adventurous are words that come to mind.  I am in awe day after day that the Lord blessed us with such a priceless gift.  I have to say the 4 1/2 year wait has been worth it (which I knew in the midst of the waiting that it would be..... just had a hard time convincing my heart), and I would do it all over again to have my Jake-Man!!  I am blessed by him each and every day.  I can see every day how The Lord looks at us as His children.  How He doesn't want to see us hurt.  How He loves us unconditionally.  How He allows us to walk through tough times so we are stronger on the other end.  The parallels have become so much more evident.  I also find myself laughing at how many times The Lord has slapped my hand and said, "No touch", yet again and again I go back.  I wonder how many times he has said, "Don't do that or you'll get hurt...".... and again I don't listen.. and get hurt.  I am so glad that my heavenly Father loves me so much and that He has given us the gift of children to help us understand His Love for us.  What a GIFT!!

So onto what my gift has been up to these days.  He is WALKING!  Well, when HE wants to that is.  It has to be HIS idea.  He took FIVE controlled steps just tonight.  He gets a little braver each day.  He is at his bravest in his crib, which has by the way, become his favorite place to play.  He will stand and attempt to walk more in his crib than anywhere else.  I guess he likes the comfort of the soft landing.  He's so cute.  He will hold onto the rail, then suddenly throw his hands up in the air, stand there for a bit and then either decide to take a few steps, or just throw himself forward.  He squeals with delight, and laughter fills his room.  I LOVE IT!  He is such a monkey!!  He is our climber for sure.  I am soooo scared that some day soon I will hear a thud through the monitor and it will be Jake climbing out of his crib.  He already tries from time to time.  You can barely hold him without him trying to climb over your shoulder to reach what's behind you or above your head (mainly light/fan pulls).  He's already had one mishap with the bar stool falling on him b/c he was trying to climb it.  I know that is only one of MANY bumps and bruises that are to come.  He doesn't hold on to much of anything without his little feet searching for higher ground.  Oh and jumping... he NEVER just stands still.  If he is standing and holding onto something.. he is jumping.  He will actually get some height every now and then and surprise himself.  LOTS OF ENERGY... that's my little man!!!

He is eating more and more... and more... and more... and more these days.  Do you get that he's eating... and eating.. and eating?!?!  There isn't much he turns down anymore.  He pretty much eats what we do.  He has two teeth on the bottom and four on top.  He can tear things up with those teeth!!   Mommy has broken some of the "eating rules" when it comes to infants, but so far, so good.  He hasn't had any allergy problems yet.  He will eat either a  bagel, toast, eggs, or oatmeal and always a banana for breakfast.  He eats a sandwich complete with avocado and cheese, cottage cheese, fruit (grapes are his FAVORITE), veggies of some sort, and maybe an animal cookie for dessert.  Dinner is usually whatever we are eating.  I must say, having him eat along with us has made me MUCH more conscious of what I cook.  He is a GREAT eater.  I'm soooo glad that he doesn't seem to be picky.  (I know that can change any day though) For now I'm enjoying it!  He still just drinks water with his meals.  I figure no need to introduce the fruit juices if he's doing good at eating the fruit itself, and he is GREAT at drinking his water.  He is also still nursing 4 times a day (breakfast/lunch/dinner/bedtime)  I guess I'll be starting the weening process soon... doesn't look like it will be too difficult though.  He'll give up the lunch and dinner feedings pretty easily.... he already does some days.  The morning and bedtime will be a little more of a challenge.  But I don't mind holding onto those for a little longer. 

Other than eating he is learning every day.  I love to see the little lights come on each day.  He is using sign language more and more.  He can sign milk, more, grapes, want, please, thank you, eat, water, phone, and ball.  Yes, some of them look the same, but in context I know which one he is meaning.  He will also shake his head after he takes a bite to say "Mmmm Mmmm"  adorable!!  Oh... he is FINALLY clapping too.  He just started that last week, YAY!  He will show how a fish goes and what an elephant says.  It's sooo cute.  I'll try and remember to post a video. 

He is so curious about everything.  He never wants to just jump right out of his car seat, high chair or stroller because he would rather sit and look at the buckles/latches and try to figure out how they work. He will turn his cars upside down and watch the wheels turn.  He is in that stage of dropping things to see what they sound like when they hit the ground.... and to see if anyone will pick it back up for him.  He likes to turn knobs and push buttons to see what they do.  He is starting to show preference when we are reading books.  If he doesn't want the one we choose, he will let us know, and will usually  reach for the one he wants. If there is a new noise, he's checking it out.  If there is a new person he is studying them.  He's not a huge fan of "strangers" but is beginning to warm up faster when he is around them. 

Jake still LOVES being outside.  He enjoys going on walks either in his stroller or on his push car.  He laughs and giggles in his swing, he explores the grass, trees, flowers, rocks, bugs, whatever he can get his hands on... and tries to taste many of them too.  When we can or I guess I should say when we get the opportunity he enjoys being in a big swimming pool.  He will kick his little legs and splash with delight.  Oh how I wish I had his energy!!!

He is still a great sleeper.  He goes to bed each night around 7:00 and sleeps until 6:30/45.... just like his Mommy USE to do.  I've been told over and over again that I was an EARLY riser.  Nothing my parents did would get me to sleep past 6:00.  So needless to say I'm happy with 6:30/45.  He still takes two naps during the day and wakes up playing.  So much fun!! 
I could honestly go on and on about our Little Man and how wonderful it is to have him in our lives.  About how much joy he brings to me each and every day, about the blessing he is to be around.  About the amazing young man he is going to grow up to be.  About how I LOVE MY LIFE!! 
Enjoy the pics of our little handsome man......