Baby Mine: Eleven Months Old!

I actually wrote this post in 12/23, but forgot to post it. I'm just going to pretend like Christmas hasn't already happened and all of you are going to go along with it, ok? Don't like it? Click here.

Well, here we are…the final monthly update of John’s first year. It’s so hard for me to believe that he’s only a few weeks away from his first birthday. But before we go there, let’s chat about month 10 for Johnny.

Getting him to sit still for this picture took an act of God.

John had a really good three weeks followed by one pretty shitty fourth week…hence, the reason why I wasn’t able to write this post on time. It’s been a long few days. When John’s happy and well-rested, he’s very sweet, funny, and playful, but lawd help me when he’s grumpy. You simply cannot really know desperation until you’ve dealt with a baby who can’t sleep yet can’t stay awake/wants to eat yet refuses to eat/wants to be held yet PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW. It’s a lot. We’ve definitely had more good days than bad, but it’s easier to remember the bad days because they’re like a horror movie that you can’t stop thinking about. I don’t mean for this to sound so negative and I really don’t want it to sound like I don’t like being John’s mom it’s just a tough phase.

John’s absolutely favorite thing to do at the moment is standing. He LOVES it. He’s not walking or standing on his own yet, but will pull up on anything he can and just stand there smiling. This has lead to a lot of tumbles and tears, but as soon as he’s calmed down he pulls himself right back up. He also continues to love pulling any and everything off the shelves in his room. He does this 2-25 times a day. Whatev, weirdo.

everyone said he'd slim down when he started moving more, but don't worry...he still has plenty of leg rolls to share.

Sleeping:

Same story, different month. John is an honor student when it comes to nighttime sleeping and gets a D+ on napping. I have gotten several 2-3 hour naps this month, but I’ve also gotten several (including the past THREE days) when he didn’t nap at all. Not one wink. That’s not ok at 11 months old. NOT OK.

I’m trying new tricks and reading endless tips online, but there are some days when it’s just not happening. After some research, Bud and I decided pretty early on that we are not “cry-it-out” people. It’s just not for us. That being said, I’ve given it a try a couple times and it honestly doesn’t work for John. He’s one strong-willed boy. I think he’d cry all day if I let him (which I wouldn’t). Le sigh…we’ll figure out napping one day, right?

Eating:

John continues to eat like a champ. He’s nursing less and eating food more and more. We’ve been trying out more finger foods like apples, carrots, or small bites of whatever we’re eating. I honestly can’t think of one thing that he doesn’t like…he’s even come around on peas and broccoli which is more than I can say for his parents.

I am planning to stop nursing around his first birthday. I might feel differently once it’s over, but I’m honestly so excited to stop. It’s not hard or painful in any way, but I’m just over it. I’m so, so glad I was able to do it this long and credit breastfeeding for 98% of the reason that John has never even had a sniffle much less an illness, but I’ll be glad to not have to worry about it anymore.

Size:

Basically the same as last month. He weights 24-25 lbs and wears 12-18 month clothes and Size 4 diapers. He’s a big boy, but I feel like he’s been the same size for a while.

Teeth:

Six – 4 on top, 2 on the bottom. I thought I saw two more poking through on the bottom, but I don’t think so. Is it weird that I’m glad he’s symmetrical? I saw a baby with an odd number of teeth and thought it looked freaky.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooveralls. ah!

Hair:

Oh, John’s hair…how do I love thee? You guys, I love it. It’s slightly ridiculous and it wings out on the sides like he’s about to take flight, but I love it. Bud and I have started to ask each other if he needs a trim, but I don’t think so…even if he is mistaken for a girl when we’re out in public. We comb and brush it every night before bed and I swear it’s one of his favorite times of day.