Eleven Months

Riley is only one short month away from turning one year old.

I simply cannot believe it.

He’s as chunky as ever, weighing 28 pounds and measuring 30 inches tall with an 18-inch head. And he definitely has quite the personality: smart like his daddy, stubborn like his momma, and with a charm that’s all his own. We love him so, so much.

Here’s what I want to remember about this past month:

• He’s still doing great with eating, and he likes lots of different foods, although I did give up on the stage 3 dinners. Those weren’t worth the fight! So now he’s getting mostly what Kenny and I eat (including his first fast food – Wendy’s just yesterday, complete with french fries and a tiny taste of Frosty), and he’s doing fine with that. I’m having fun continuing to discover what else he likes, but so far he is definitely a veggies and fruit kind of kid. No issues with getting him to eat his broccoli and carrots, not to mention strawberries and mango!
• He still drinks water from a sippy throughout the day, and he is taking three 7-oz. bottles of formula a day, but I’m hoping to get him completely off of the bottles very soon, especially since he’ll be able to drink cow’s milk once he’s 12 months.
• He is still sleeping great, both during naps and at night.
• He is waving bye-bye fairly consistently.
• He is doing so great at standing on his own, trusting himself more and holding his weight for longer periods of time. I just know that he’ll be walking very, very soon. He did take one step two days ago but immediately fell to his hands and knees.
• He loves listening for airplanes, as well as tilting his head back to watch ceiling fans spinning, and he discovered light switches this month. He can’t quite flip them on and off on his own yet, but he sure does try.
• He still loves to push things around on the floor and to climb up and down the stairs.
• He gets frustrated if he can’t do something right away, like open a closet door or reach a toy under the couch, and he’ll whine until I help him. 
• He kicks his legs hard if I pick him up to get him away from something I don’t want him to have.
• He babbles to himself all the time, and he’s starting to make more complex sounds, even though I have absolutely no idea what he thinks he’s saying. 
• He studies things constantly: his toys, his food, my ring, anything that captures his attention.

Eleven months old.

Happy almost birthday, my sweet boy.

Polo Model?

One day last week I dressed Riley in a polo shirt and polo shorts (thanks, Aunt Erin!). And all throughout the day I just could not get over how old he looked in such big boy clothes. 

I of course had to document the cuteness of this day, and pretty soon I realized my boy could totally be a baby model for the Polo line:

But he did have to take a time out from his photo shoot to read the label on his empty formula can. Upside down.

Then he had to drum on the can.

Then he had to look out the window.

But then he was back in action and cute as ever.

Just wait until I get him in his first pair of madras shorts….

I’m not sure I’ll be able to take that much cuteness.

Pocket Surprise

Hi, Mom. What’s this thing around my neck you always put on me when I’m sitting in this chair?

And what’s this part of it called? What does it do?

A pocket, you say? Well that sounds a little silly.

But wait a minute…..I see something in there. Cool, a Cheerio!

On second thought, I retract my previous statement.

I can be down with my pocket, especially when Cheerios hide in it.

Pockets turned out to be pretty fun, Mom….can we learn about something new again real soon?

Belt and Hangers

Kenny left one of his belts on our bed the other morning, so of course Riley found it after his daddy left for work and claimed it as his own, chewing on both ends and probably leaving tooth marks on the leather.

   

Kenny also left a couple of hangers out after he got dressed for work, and Riley found those as well.

 

Anything is fair game with this little one prowling around!

These new “toys” are definitely okay by me; he was entertained for a good chunk of time and allowed me to get laundry put away and a couple of blog posts written.

Plus, he was too cute crawling around with a belt buckle in his mouth one day and a hanger on his arm the next.

I’ll take that cuteness any day.

Cuteness, the Ocho

  

Still loves to chew on anything and everything. The inside of his crib has gouges from his teeth, by the way.

 

Sweet boy awake and sweet boy asleep

  

Reading before bed with Daddy and with Nopsi

Fun with balloons….and Jem

It’s my turn, Nopsi. Pretty please?

I’m coming to get you, Mommy!

Loves looking out the window in our room

Playtime in Riley’s room!

Sweet dreams, my Riley-bean.

Video Monday: Rings on Riley

Is it wrong that I videoed and giggled instead of helping him?

I didn’t think so either.

Happy Monday!

A Poem

I sat with him in his rocking chair.
I sat to give him a bottle before his afternoon nap.
I sat while he finished almost all of his milk.

I sat while he curled himself into my chest and closed his eyes.

I sat listening to the thunder of an approaching storm.
I sat listening to the whir of his white noise machine.
I sat listening to his breathing.

I sat listening.

I sat watching the trees moving outside his window.
I sat watching the numbers on his clock change.
I sat watching his chest rise and fall.

I sat watching.

I sat looking at the shadows on the ceiling.
I sat looking at his crib where I would eventually place him.
I sat looking at his eyelashes, his nose, his little mouth, his hand resting on my chest.

I sat looking.

I sat thinking of all the things I needed to get done.
I sat thinking how it was possible I helped make this beautiful child.
I sat thinking of how lucky I am.

I sat thinking.

I sat feeling his weight in my arms.
I sat feeling the touch of his skin on mine.
I sat feeling so much love for this little person.

I sat.

I sat, with him.

Thursdays with QP

My mom’s youngest sister, whom we affectionately call “Queen Paula” or “QP,” is completely captivated by Riley, as are so many people in our family. They just can’t get enough of my little guy.

Not too long after we moved back to New Orleans, QP decided she wanted to come out to visit Riley once a week. Thus, Thursdays with QP were established.

She comes fairly early in the morning, around 8am, and generally stays until Riley goes down for his first nap, sometimes putting him down herself. I think Riley really enjoys her visits, but I know I do because she allows me to do whatever I want while she’s here. I can sit on the couch and actually finish my coffee while it’s still hot; I can take a shower and get dressed for the day before noon; I can get some chores done in peace.

Plus, she usually brings me one her famous chicken sandwiches for lunch, which just adds to the appeal of Thursdays for me.

Thank you, QP, for your visits. Riley loves spending time with you, and I love spending time with me!

Spaghetti Fingers

After the mac and cheese disaster, I really wasn’t sure what to expect next during Riley’s meals.

However, I am proud to report that after a rough week of not eating much (which I attributed to his being sick and possibly also to teething), Riley’s appetite has improved drastically. He recently received his own little set of silverware, and I think he really likes eating from his fork and spoon since they’re just his size.

Sometimes, though, he absolutely refuses to eat unless he can do it himself. Stubborn, stubborn boy.

I have two thoughts on this. 1. I’m glad he’s branching out and starting to do things for himself. It shows me his development is progressing beautifully and that he’s becoming more independent. 2. I’m not so glad because him feeding himself means one very large mess, especially when spaghetti is involved.

Oh, well; such is life. Who would I be to deprive my son of this childhood joy? It is every baby’s prerogative to smear food all over both his face and his highchair tray, and I am glad Riley is right there with the pack.

Even if it does mean a little bit of extra clean-up for me.

I can handle it. :)

Standing (Somewhat) Strong

For some time now, Riley has had no problem standing on his own two feet, but he has needed the assistance of something else to help him balance. He pulls himself up on anything and everything these days, including people, doors, the refrigerator, and many of his toys.

 

However, he has been testing his standing capabilities more and more, not holding onto anything. He doesn’t do it for very long at all; in fact, it’s almost as if he does it on accident. Then when he realizes he doesn’t have a hold of anything, he slowly sinks down to the ground, like he has no idea how he got up there and doesn’t trust himself to stand anymore, even though he really does do so just fine.

He has the strength and he has the balance; now he just needs the confidence!

  

It has been quite the challenge to capture him standing since he does it so sporadically and for such a short amount of time. That middle picture was most definitely a rushed shot, but it is him standing all by himself. The other two were situations somewhat encouraged by me, but my enticing worked fairly well!

Walking has got to be just around the corner…..