11 Months

Dear Garrett,

 

There is NO WAY you are already 11 months old.  I want to freeze time.  In just a few days you will be a year old. 

 

You have seven teeth, and a charming smile.  For the most part you sleep through the night.  You are wearing a size 4 diaper.  They are a little big, but the size 3 diapers are almost too small.  You are wearing 12 month clothes, but most of the pants are too long.  You are still taking about 6 bottles a day, but we are getting ready to start weaning you off of your bottle.  You like your sippy cup, so hopefully we will have a smooth transition.  You love Puffs!  Some of your favorite finger foods are cheese, chicken, green beans, and diced pears. 

 

You raise your eyebrows and say, "Hmm?"  You shake your head "no."  You clap your hands when we sing "If You're Happy and You Know It."  You can say mama, dada, and wave and say bye.  You are much more vocal, and love to jabber.  You are so close to walking!  You've taken a few accidental steps, but nothing official.  You like to do flips onto the bed with Daddy and Mommy.

 

You love going to school.  Your teachers adore you and call you "Gare-bear."  I always tell you to be nice to the ladies because you are only one of two boys in a class of 8.  You don't like to take naps at school, but are getting better.  You take great naps at home though.  You are a finicky eater when you are at school.  Your teachers tell me that you like to try the food your classmates are eating, but when I pack the same thing for you, you don't want to eat it.  You gave your teachers a special treat for their "mistle-toes" for Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

You love bath time!  You like bubble baths and singing into your little play cups.  I think you like the way they echo.  We still use your lounge seat when you are really sleepy, and sometimes you fall asleep during your bath.  But most of the time you are wide awake and ready to play and splash. 

 

Your poor crib is going to be destroyed.  You have chewed on it quite a bit and have taken small chunks out. 

 

You love to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Small Potatoes.  You actually only tune in when there is singing going on.  You stop what you are doing, and bounce up and down to the beat of the songs.  We took you to the Disney store at Northpark and you got your very own Mickey.  When you first brought him home and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse came on, you would look from your Mickey to the TV trying to figure out the relationship between the two.  You like to snuggle him at night and whisper to him when we put you to bed.   

I love this serious face.  When you encounter someone or something new, this is usually the look that you like to give.  Serious and focused, trying to take everything in.  And those ice blue eyes...melt my heart! 

Your hair is getting thicker and has grown down over your ears.  It is the most handsome golden blonde color.  Sometimes we still see the shades of red.  Daddy is SO ready for you to get your first hair cut.  I think it will be happening soon.  I have to admit that it is looking a little shaggy sometimes. 

 

We are having a hard time finding shoes to fit those precious feet of yours.  They are so thick!  We finally found you some wide shoes a size up at Striderite that would fit.  Otherwise you have to wear shoes with elastic laces.  Oh how I love those squishy feet!!   

 

You are crawling all over the place, pulling up on things, and walking from item to item around the house.  I know you are getting close to walking on your own.  You love your walker and pushing chairs, stools, and toys all over the house.  

 

 

You LOVE books!  Grandma McCullough bought you the sweetest nativity story book, and you read it every morning.  It's a pop up book, and you've played with it so much that some of the wise men are missing their staffs, and a few animals are missing heads.  

 

 

 You are so precious, and your dad and I love you more than words can express.

Love,
Mama