Hello, beautiful big girl — you’re 11 months old!

And gracious, you’re a crawling, cruising, babbling sunshine. You still don’t sleep (wahhhh!) but you now have 8 teeth and we’re thinking your body is just too busy growing. You’re getting more hair, getting really great at repeating our words (thank you, kitty, Ma-ma, Da-da, Sissy, uh oh), and have a growing fondness for independent play.

Month 11 was filled with fun: you went to a couple birthday parties, spent lots of summer days on the boat, and journeyed to Ohio for a Horning family reunion, where we all finally got to see Booka’s farm. You’re not a fan of the car (that’s a more recent development since you’ve gotten mobile), but we made it and you loved the quality time crawling around with cousin Emma.

You also got to enjoy the final weeks of Auntie Haley Camp — such fun! It made me a super happy Mommy to see you and Haley bond, and boy, her patience, love, and creativity inspire me!

Weight and height: You’re growing before our very eyes, and are lovely and long like your big sis. We’ll go back to the doctor next month for your 1-year appointment and I’ll post your official stats then.

Eating
You’re still an eager eater, and the fact that you have 8 teeth (your big sis only had 2 at this point) makes you fast and productive!

You’ve started “clearing your plate” when you’re finished — when means tossing the food you’re done with onto the floor. You’ve also begun kicking one foot up on the tray mid-meal. It can’t be comfortable, but you seem to think it’s funny (and your sister’s laughter is confirmation).

You’re super observant, and seem to get a bit perturbed when Claire eats treats (especially ice cream!) in front of you. Only a few more weeks til your big birthday — will you be our great cake eater?

Like Big Sis, you don’t seem to have any interest in weaning anytime soon (and Mommy is okay with that.) You nurse before naps and before bed…and when you wake during the night. It’s short and sweet and puts you right to sleep.

Playing
Now that you’re on the move, your personality is really coming out. Daddy and I love watching you make decisions (where’s she going to go? what’s she going to play with?) as you make your way around the living room or play room. You’re attracted to buttons, baby dolls, Pinot cat, and anything that Claire’s playing with (oops!).

Big Sis has fondly dubbed you “Train Monster” since you have a tendency to de-rail her Thomas train and track. Daddy and Mommy try to quarantine (“Cora-ntine”) you to one side of the play room, but you always break through and irritate the crud out of Claire.

You’re also super fond of anything that makes sound — you play your maracas and kazoo and “dance” to music with a huge grin.

(If you have trouble viewing the video, please click here.)

Sleeping
Oy. I keep reminding myself that one day you’ll be a teenager and we’ll have to get you up. For now, though, you continue to wake one…two…sometimes even three or four…times a night.

During the day, though, you nap solidly from 9-11 and 2-4 (thank you!) — so it’s a net win. Ha!

Your Big Sister
…still thinks you’re the bees knees. Claire loves when we bring you into the room to wake her up. She wants to hug you tight, and then insists on having you get in bed with her (for about 15 seconds).

Claire is slowly but surely starting to share with you. It seems like you’ve already learned how to push her buttons (and you do it frequently and fearlessly), but we try to defuse the “fights” quickly by giving you each a different toy.

The next time I write, we’ll be celebrating your first birthday. I’m proud of you, little pumpkin. And I’m proud of Mommy and Daddy too! The baby days are busy, but boy you make them beautiful.

Loads of love,
Mommy & Daddy