10 Months

Dear Nolan,

You are TEN months old! Double digits! How did that happen?! :*( I probably sound like a broken record by now but this age is so much fun. You are into everything, happy most of the time, you have a pretty good routine, you're eating more and learning lots... I love it!

At the beginning of the month you had started pulling yourself up, but it took you a few seconds. Now, it's second nature. You crawl over to something (at lightening speed!) and just like that you're up! You are starting to let go more and more and you can stand on your own for a couple of seconds. I don't think it will be long until you try to take a few steps.

I call you a "collector" because when you find something that interests you, you'll carry it around with you forever. Things you particularly like: a travel size contact solution container, a travel size lotion, mommy's cell phone, and one of my bracelets. You just crawl right along with whatever your item of choice is... and you get mad if I take it from you.

Our house is officially never going to be clean again. I pick up after you when you're napping and as soon as you're up everything is back out. You aren't happy unless the toys are all out and spread across the house. We have a small drawer system next to the computer and you also like to empty that daily and bang on the printer. It's the only way that I get any computer time so I just made sure there was nothing dangerous in there and let you at it. ;) You are so funny.

You have 3 teeth (two bottom, one top) and your second top one is soooooclose to popping through. I can see the entire white line where it's coming in and it is so swollen. You're being pretty good about it though- lots of drool but not too terribly much whining. :)

You can say dada, mama, and hot- and you know what they mean. We've also heard you repeat things that we say like "baaaa" (as in a sheep), cup, and hi. You're eating more and more table foods, though we sometimes still give you some purees just because it's hard to determine how much food you actually eat with table food. You had your first "spaghetti night" a couple of days ago. You enjoyed playing with it but it was frustrating to you because you couldn't really pick it up. Things you enjoy to eat and can do yourself are: steamed carrots, any fruits, pieces of bread, (sometimes) broccoli and green beans. We haven't tried real peas yet since you hate the pureed version but they're on the list.

In June we celebrated Mommy's birthday, Mommy and Daddy's 3rd wedding anniversary, and Father's Day. You also spent a long evening with Grandma and Gramps while Daddy and I went to a concert. You were an angel, I'm told. :) I love that you love spending time with her. I'm sure it helps that we spent pretty much every day over there from February-June! But, it's really nice to be able to leave you with Grandma and not worry... much. ;)

Other things that you like this month are: getting into everything. Seriously. You know what you're "allowed" to play with and what you aren't (like the fireplace) and when we aren't looking you beeline for something you aren't supposed to play with. Then you turn around and look to see if we're watching with this little gleam in your eye. Such a stinker. You also love to swing at the park. You don't last a super long time, but while you do you certainly enjoy it. You enjoy swimming with mommy and daddy in the big pool, and you're liking your baths again- finally. You really like it when mommy eats because no matter what, even if you just ate, you know I'll give you some. You love playing peek-a-boo, clapping your hands, giving "fives", and when I pretend to give something to you but then take it away. You are such a fun little guy!!

Another month has passed. Another month full of memories that I'll cherish forever. I love you so much sweet baby... "as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Love always,
Ma-Ma :)