Toby: 11 months

On April 23rd, Toby turned 11 months old.

It's so amazing to see how much he has changed. It's just nuts. He is really turning into an awesome little boy. I can't believe in ONE MONTH he's not going to be a baby anymore; he's going to be a toddler. I'm going to be the Mom of a toddler.

That's crazy.

But, while I still can, I'm going to give my wittle bitty baby lots of lovies (until I give my wittle bitty toddler lovies.)

Here are some facts about Toby's 11th month.

• He has had 2,446 diaper changes since he was born.
• He has increased his vocabulary and singed a couple of new words, "all done" and "milk."
• He now has 4 (F-O-U-R!!) teeth!
• We have really increased his menu options. He eats a lot of solids now and quite a few finger foods. We're still giving him formula, but have cut him back to about 24 ounces per day.
• He can stand with help.
• Although he has been crawling since he was about 8.5-9 months, he's really getting fast on his knees. He'll also pull up onto objects! It's really neat (and terrifying) to watch.
• He waves now. Hello and Bye-bye.
• He loves to feed people/animals. Whatever he's eating he insists on sharing.
• Toby went to the circus for the first time and rode on an elephant. Yep. That's pretty awesome.

 

Updates on Mama and Daddy:

• We are incredibly busy getting ready for the big 1st birthday bash. It's going to be over the top. Trust me.
• I'm back on the weight loss wagon and doing pretty good so far. It's tough to find time to exercise but with the weather improving, I'm trying to squeeze in a few more walks with all of my boys.
• Poor Aaron. That's all I can say. Poor Aaron. I bet he'll be glad when my demands for Toby's first birthday cease. He has been working around the clock.
• Aaron is currently on school break and we have a lot of fun things planned this week for Toby. Should be a good time.

I'm THAT Mom

THAT Mom. You know exactly who I'm talking about.

There are Helicopter Parents, Absentee Parents, Attachment Parents, Soccer Moms, and Stage Moms... to name a few.

 

I'm the Mom who arranges a play date with an Elephant. That Mom.

Toe to toe

Before Toby came along, there were two men in my life; and no, Aaron wasn't one of them. The two men were/are Bing and Manny.

Right after Toby was born, Manny was all about Toby. He loved, loved, loved him. Manny still received a good amount of attention too. He would snuggle right in with us.

Now that Toby is mobile, Manny see's him more as competition. While they still get along, Toby requires more from me than he used to and, I'd be lying if I said this didn't slight Manny a little bit.

These days I use a gate in my house. Not because I need to keep the dogs away from Toby, but because I need to keep Toby away from the dogs. He gets obsessed. He loves animals. While I do integrate them for several hours per day, I feel like they still need time to be free of a groping baby.

Sometimes, Manny just can't stand to be away from Toby... or Mama.

Lions and Tigers and Bears!

Oh my!

So, on this cold, snowy day, I organized for a bear to come to my house to do some pictures with Toby. Someone on a local mommy-site had rented a teddy bear costume and had it for a few extra days so she advertised that she was willing to take pictures with some kids if anyone wanted.

Being a total soccer mom, I jumped at the chance to expose Toby to another "character" hoping to help him curb his irrational fear of the Easter Bunny. I mean, how could someone be scared of a larger than life-sized mute rabbit who stares blankly at with you dead eyes, and holds you with ginormous hands!? Sounds totally legit, right?

I spoke to the person and organized a time for our photo-op. She was going to come to my house and I had some cute picture ideas.

Sadly, on this stormy, icy and blustery day, our bear got in a car accident. What?! No bear?! I had promised my son a bear! I would be lying if I said I wasn't devastated.

Hold the press. Before I come off as a "totally insensitive, overly-eager, my kid will have everything in this world type of mommy-monger," the bear is fine.

It is really important to me that my kid doesn't get disappointed when things don't go his way so while I was crushed and dying on the inside, we had our own little bear photo shoot and he was none the wiser (and a mighty cute bear if I do say so myself!)

 

Roar!

Toby 10 Months Old

Wow! Now that Toby is about 10.5 months old, I guess I should post about his 10 month update! As our son has gotten older, I've realized that these posts are harder and harder for me to write. He is getting so big and so smart SO FAST! Not that I'm not incredibly proud and loving every second, it's just so bittersweet to watch him grow up!

 

His 9-10 month was also a very big month for him!! There were more milestones than Mama could handle so many wonderful milestones! 

 

 

 

 

 

• At his last doctor appointment he weighed 19.4lbs and was 29.5 inches long
• He has had a total of 2228 diaper changes
• He was moved into a "big boy" car seat
• In his 9th month he got 2 teeth!!! Which means we now brush his teeth everyday. He actually doesn't mind it (so far) because for the last few months I have made it a point to brush my teeth in front of him every morning. He laughs when I do it. Now that he has teeth, I brush mine with him watching, then we do his. He's really good about it!
• He crawled this month!!
• He had his first infant cookie; a baby mum-mum
• He started wearing size 4 diapers
• He actually participated with patty cake
• He had his first haircut
• He said his first word (besides "Mama" and "Dada") which was "Booh" [he said it as he was crawling at high speed toward the bookshelf, so I'm guessing he meant "Book."])
• He signed both "Mama" and "Daddy"
• He learned to clap
• He pulled himself into the standing position
• He got he first real sickness (a stomach bug!)
• He tried asparagus
• He was baptized

 

 There aren't a whole lot of updates on Mama and Daddy this time. We are both so very busy right now, but we're still able to carve out some time to spend as a family. Toby is such a joy. A pure joy. We just love him so much!

 

 

First Easter

Toby had a great first Easter. We are very blessed and incredibly fortunate to have such amazing people in our lives. Toby was spoiled!

 

The loot the Easter Bunny delivered to our house

 

An Easter Basket from Nana & McPepe

 

And more loot from Uncles Matt and Nelly

 

Crawling to see what the rabbit left for him!

 

Yay!

 

It's hard trying to open toys with two Chihuahuas trying to get in on the action!

Maracas were a BIG hit. Nice work, Easter Bunny!

 

Helping Mama make the Easter Bunny cake (a tradition in Mama's house when she was little!)

 

Cake and crafts!

 

Uncles give Toby his basket

 

And Toby just wants Uncle (he has his uncles W-R-A-P-P-E-D)

 

Basket from Nana & McPepe!

 

 

 

Easter Photo shoot!

 

 

Toby recently learned to clap. Oh BOY, does he clap! ALL. THE. TIME.

 

I tried to match Toby and Daddy... but unfortunately, Etsy didn't have a vintage Easter sweater in men's sizes.

 

Kisses

 

Precious kisses for Mama

 

Happy Easter. We are very lucky to have a sweet little bunny!