Eleven Months

One more month and I officially have a toddler on my hands.  Though I think Z's been toddling for at least two months already.  Today is the last of his "month" birthdays.  I want to remember that right now he is...

• funny.  He loves to smile at people, belly laugh when he's tickled, and squeal when he's chased.
• sneaky.  Quiet Z means trouble, and if I go investigating, he'll take off with whatever contraband he's found and squeal as I chase him.

caught in the act

trying to get away

• smart.  His only consistent word so far is "Da," but I can hold long conversations with him and have him follow my instructions (like playing ball, putting toys in/out of the basket, finding a toy across the room, etc.)  
• busy!  He knows how to open doors left unlatched, open cabinets, oven doors, go up the stairs, etc. He knows all the places that are off-limits and makes a bee-line for them if given the chance.  I think his bumper sticker would read, "Don't fence me in, buckle me up, or hold me down!"  (This explains the general lack of photos and the poor quality of any photos I do post.)

the one cabinet he's allowed to pillage

• badly in need of a hair cut.  I trimmed it once around Easter, just two little snips.  I'm trying to hold out for the one year birthday before his first full cut.  It either needs a good cut or some serious product.
• hot-tempered.  Boy, does he wail when he gets stuck behind a gate or has a door closed in his face, knowing something better is happening on the other side.
• pitiful.  That anger quickly turns to pitiful pouting. Good thing he's my third and those theatrics don't work on me any more (much).
• easy-going.  Keep him fed and rested, and he goes with the flow.  Thank you, God!  He's also very tolerant of his sisters' attempts to love and protect him.
• all boy.  The sound of a lawn mower, the vacuum, or any engine makes him stop in his tracks and listen.  Baby dolls are for gnawing on.  You and anything else in his path are tools to be used or climbed.  And he's already chewed more bugs than I care to admit.  Oh, and electronics?  He might have a little bit of a preference for any toy with batteries or buttons.  And daddy's already letting him play xbox.
• affectionate.  He's still a good snuggler, when you can get him to be still.
• big.  He weighed 21 lbs. at a doctor's visit this morning (no ear infection; so what's up with the broken sleep?!) and he's outgrowing his 12-month clothes.
• over-the-moon for his daddy.  This boy loves to wrestle with his dad!  And there's no better mountain to climb.  His face lights up when he hears "Da" come in the door and he hurries to get to him.
• a picky, but hearty eater.  Just because he liked it yesterday doesn't mean he'll eat it today.  But if today's the day he likes it, you better have a lot of it.
• all that I imagined a son would be so far, but so much better in person.