Declan: Eleven Months

Someone turned 11 months old this week!

My sweet, joyful Declan,

I suppose we have to admit that the countdown to your first birthday has begun. In some ways, I’m more ready for it than I thought I would be, and I might even feel a little relief when that milestone hits. I know I will be glad to stop pumping at work, and I will be excited to worry a little less about whether anything you’re eating has honey in it. But for the most part, I am amazed how quickly these 11 months have passed and how much toddler I see in you already!

Still, we really slowed down and enjoyed this summer. Whenever I feel like things are getting hectic or we have a few more invitations to outings than we are used to, I try to remind myself that racing around to too many events is not the kind of quality time we love most. We love slow weekend mornings with walks around the neighborhood, a stop at the library, a long nap for you while we play quietly with Marshall. In the afternoons we like to go somewhere we’ve never been or get out of the house for a treat. This summer has been filled with those days, and I think we feel refreshed and ready for fall and the holiday rush that will be here before we know it. Maybe we can take a lesson from these leisurely summer days and enjoy a slower pace in the rest of the year, too.

Declan, you continue to express such joy and wonder as you explore the world around you. I’ve never seen a baby light up as readily as you do when you see someone you love, learn something new, or feel proud of yourself for a new skill. Your smile penetrates even my most stressed moments and makes me stop and snuggle you. You dance when you hear music or when we sing, and we find ourselves listening to music more

You learned and mastered some new skills this month, especially throwing a ball (you have surprisingly great aim!), pointing, attempting to stack objects, and turning pages in books.

You love flaps!

You're saying some half-words and have added a few consonants to your vocabulary. You seem confident about what you're saying, even if no one can understand you yet!

You're a super easy going dude. You generally go along with the plan no matter where we take you or what we're doing--inside, outside, in the car, at home, at school...you just find something to play with and roll with it.

You watch your brother a lot, and I think that's why you already sit like a toddler. Break my heart!

Other stats: You wear 12-18 month clothing, you have four teeth, and you crawl pretty quickly now!

Sometimes you find yourself in unusual situations...

Of course, there are times when you're less than thrilled about what's going on around you. Last weekend we went on a carousel, and you didn't want to be away from Mommy. I ended up sitting on a bench with you and nursed you for the entire ride!

For the ferris wheel, you were fine. :-)

We are seeing more and more of your personality emerge as you engage with your brother. Sometimes (pretty rarely, for now), he'll give you lots of attention and snuggle or tickle you. 

Other times, he kind of ignores you or does his own thing. You love to watch him, but you don't seem to mind doing your own thing, too.

Our new (used) double stroller! Marshall likes sitting next to you.

We're trying hard to figure out how to navigate the world of siblings and brothers. We want to give you space to get to know each other and find your own way, but we do step in for the frequent sibling squabbles (which usually involve Marshall's fear that you will steal something he is or is not playing with), and we are learning how to find the line between treating you both fairly and still giving each of you attention and supporting whatever you need. It isn't easy.

(Here, Marshall got an ice cream, but you only got a fruit pouch.) 

Sleep is going pretty well. We have some ups and downs. On occasion, you have slept through the night(!), but for the most part you still wake up once or twice overnight. Lately, your favorite wake up time is somewhere between 4:45 and 5:15 am. It's not our favorite.

Eating, on the other hand, has some awesome consistency. You love everything. You eat a ton. The end.

You still love everyone you encounter, 

though sometimes lately you have a tough time leaving Mommy. (I'm totally okay with that!)

You have no trouble going to your Daddy, though. You two have a solid bond, and I love watching you together.

But, for now, I am so grateful for any snuggles you'll give me!

Sometimes I think you even look like me!

Declan, you make our hearts so full and fill our family with such joy. We are soaking up every moment of you last official month of infancy, and we are excited to see what comes next for you!

We love you, sweet boy. Happy 11 months!

(For comparison: Marshall at 11 months!)