11 months
1 more month until Oliv is officially a toddler! She’s transitioning from baby to big girl in the blink of an eye, and it’s especially incredible to get little glimpses of what she may be like when she’s 3.. or 7… or 12. I won’t even start playing the “time is passing way too quickly” violin, as we’re all familiar with that tune, but even with how fast the first year has gone, I wouldn’t take myself back in time. Every month is my favorite, and I love being able to watch her grow and learn. I love seeing her personality develop and become more apparent each day. Every day continues to be more fun, and my heart continues to be more full, even though I often feel like it’s about to burst.
Here are 11 things about 11 months:
-New foods! Liv continues to try new things, and we started to introduce a little nuts and tomatoes this month. She seems to enjoy the foods she’s tried so far – she’s an awesome little eater. She still loathes dairy products even though I’ve offered a few types. Goat cheese, organic yogurt, string cheese and cheese slices are all gagged out and thrown to Bella. I’m still making purees, but she prefers drinking them now, instead of eating them from a spoon. As we transition to 100% solids, I can see myself making her a variety of smoothies and soups, not so many purees. Some current favorites: persimmon, oranges from our tree, cucumber (she loves it so much, I started putting slices in her sippy cup- little spa baby!), spaghetti squash, and little protein-packed treats like her lentil turkey muffins and black bean burgers. She continues to eat scrambled egg yolk, banana, avocado, oats, beans, salmon/chicken, fresh veggies and cut-up fruit in her daily menu.
-Walking is still about the same, and while we practice, she can take her sweet time. I’m already chasing her all over the place, as it seems like her mission in life is to find something to injure herself. At the same time, some days I feel like it would be easier if she could walk on her own, since she usually wants me to help her walk everywhere by holding her hands. I love doing it, but my back isn’t such a huge fan.
-She’s already a little chatterbox! Words she can clearly say at the appropriate times: uh-oh, up, Dad, eye, dog, hi/hey, hot, Bellaboo (which sounds like “beh BOO”) and lots of animal sounds. I especially love her monkey sound 😉 She’s become really good at imitating words (last week I asked her where the elf was, and she looked at me and said, “ELF!”) and started to do some of the baby signs we’d been practicing. She has signed “more” a few times before, but now it’s consistent, as well as “all done.” So, fellow mamas who are trying to teach their baby some signs: don’t give up! It may take a little while for them to sign back to you, like it did for us.
She’ll also imitate facial expressions, which is hilarious. The best? Her “sniffer” face when she crinkles her nose and makes loud sniffing sounds.
-We’re almost done with bottles, which makes me sad and excited at the same time. While I’m not going to miss the cost of formula (and am sure that expense will be absorbed in other ways), I’m going to miss the snuggle time with Liv. When I finished pumping at about 6 months, I couldn’t wait to get to really snuggle with her while she drank her bottle. It seemed to suck the fun out of things (literally) to pump and feed her at the same time. Since then, when we’re at home, she drinks every bottle curled up on the couch with me. I always take a deep breath and savor the moment as I tickle her hair, knowing that bottle snuggle time is almost over.
-Speaking of snuggle time, that’s pretty much the only time she’ll really cozy up with us. She’s too interested and curious with everything around her, and if we pick her up for a hug, she’ll push us away to investigate something. Tom told me that when kids are like this, it’s a sign that they get plenty of love and affection, since they aren’t clingy and craving it. I like to hope and believe it’s true. Sometimes, she’ll surprise us with a slobbery kiss, right on the mouth. She’s not quite as stingy with dog affection and will often put her face right in front of Bella’s to get a kiss.
-Likes: petting the dogs, playing with blocks, baby massage, bath time, trying to eat rocks, brushing her teeth, her baby class at MyGym
-Dislikes: diaper changes, wearing clothes, being moved away from something dangerous, Santa Claus
Next on the agenda: planning a birthday party for this curious, brilliant, sweet and fun little girl. I’m so lucky to be her mama <3
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Gahhh I LOVE her little pink skirt! She is getting too cute for words!
That first shot is hysterical – I love her expressions! Wes just turned 9 months old and I can’t believe how fast he’s growing up. Every day is something new!
So precious to watch your little one grow up! She’s beautiful, and blessed to have caring parents like you guys. My little one is almost nine months old, and everyday is better than the last. 🙂
I love how you said every month is your favorite! That’s such a great way to put it! Liv is previous as always!
Precious*
ohmygosh she’s so cute. I still remember the birth story and she was such a gorgeous new born! I love seeing her grow!!
You look really happy in that last pic <3
This is adorable! Makes me excited to be a mom someday- you are such a great one!
Wow, she is so adorable!! My little girl is now 11 and oh.my.goodness – growing up so fast!! Enjoy every moment 🙂
She is SO precious! I can’t wait to see how her 1st birthday party goes next month…she is the sweetest little thing!
She truly is such a beautiful little girl. You are blessed with that one and she is blessed to have you as her mom!
She is such a sweetheart! She is just loving life <3 I can't believe she is almost a year, so exciting! I love that one of her dislikes is wearing clothes. When I was 2 (ish) I've been told, I don't remember, I used to slide open the screen door to the backyard, strip myself down and play in the sandbox. Clothes are for suckers! Haha.
This is a weird tip, but when my niece was about this age she would walk only while holding our hands. My sister-in-law had heard that if you put something else in her hands (we used socks) that it would trick her brain into thinking she had something to hold on to and she would walk on her own. It worked… although maybe she just decided that day she was ready to walk on her own? Haha, I can’t say for sure, but she did would do a dramatic “fall down” if you took them out of her hands.
She is so cute! The little chompers coming in?!!! So adorable I can hardly stand it.
I’m sure Tom is right about her situational desire for cuddle time. She is just an energetic little girl and there is a lot to do in this world! I was a psych major in college and psychologists do say that healthy attachment allows babies to feel comfortable enough to explore their world. Nice work, mama!
Livi is adorable and clearly a happy baby with great parents.
Re: the theory. As a parent and someone who has worked with many children I can tell you, yes there is something to attachment theory, but kids have different temperaments and personalities. The same parents can have one child who is clingy and shy and another ready to explore the world. If you see a child constantly worried and afraid to explore the world I would not assume it’s due to parenting.
Just to add, if the theory were 100% correct we’d be back to blaming moms and parenting in general for schizophrenia, some forms of autism and various other challenges. Attachment is a small piece of a very complicated puzzle.
So sweet! Time has gone by SO fast! Can’t believe she will be one next month! Such a beautiful little girl!!
I totally hear ya. I am eager for my now-7-month-old to be done with bottles/formula at 1 year (simply because she is on a super expensive hypoallergenic formula), but I will totally missed the regular cuddle time that bottle-feeding brings.
But, I have a 3.5 year old as well, so I know first-hand all the neat, exciting, awesome things that toddlerhood (and beyond) brings! Lots of challenges, some frustrations – but even more joys (-: Promise!
I feel like a baby’s first birthday party (especially for first-time parents) is just as much for the parents – if not more so – than for the child. Congrats, parents, you made it!! (-:
She’s such a cutie! That’s awesome that she is such a good eater!
I love these posts 🙂 She is such a good eater – I’m so impressed! Haha, a little spa baby, I love it. And that pink skirt is adorable! That’s so cute that she puts her face in front of Bella’s to get a kiss. She really is talking a lot – that’s so fun!
My son must not get enough love because the last week or so he has been SUPER clingy. He’s also cutting FOUR teeth on top!! Eeek! He’s been a little trooper, just really wants to snuggle, which is ok with this mama 🙂
Does Liv have a walker? Our son absolutely loves his. He can follow me around the house. Luckily, he understands when we tell him no and has only “tested” us a couple of times. It’s been NBD and he loves his independence. Our dogs don’t seem to mind either. They know where their safe places are. Haha it’s been fun!
That does NOT necessarily mean He’s not getting enough love/attention. They go through phases and it is completely normal!!!!!! All kids are different so please do not think that.
Max is the same way with “cuddle time” – he very rarely wants to sit on our laps. Except this week since he has been sick and waking up a bit during the night. He then likes to sit on my lap (or Daddy’s lap) and have a little snack. Adorable!
In terms of not liking being moved away from dangerous things – Max thinks it is a game and he finds it absolutely hilarious when I move him away from the fireplace/tv/kitchen.
Max is turning 1 on Friday…ahhhhhh
She is so cute!!!
This is going to be such a fun Christmas for y’all!!!!
I love to read how much you enjoy every second with her – it’s so true what everyone says – it goes fast!
Please know that I don’t throw around compliments like this lightly, but Liv is truly one of the most beautiful babies I’ve ever seen! So sweet!
These posts always make me smile 🙂 And I love going back to see what Liv was doing when she was G’s age 🙂
Congrats Mama and Happy Birthday Liv!!!!!
Ahhh, i can so relate with the snuggle time…sigh.
Olivia’s skirt? I die! So. freakin. cute.
Awwwww she’s adorable!! Enjoy every moment – it really does go by too fast! My oldest is now 7 and is a back-talkin’ pre-teen.
i remember blogging the same exact thing during that first year of my firstborn’s life. every month became more and more fun for us as a family. now he’s 4 and i would for sure take myself back in time and do it all over again. 🙂 it was just a wonderful experience…as it is now also. it’s just so very different. these children are quite the blessings. so happy that you soak it all in.
Love these updates, Liv is adorable!
Livi is so precious!!! It’s obvious you and the pilot have done a wonderful job as parents! She looks like such a happy little girl.
She gets prettier everyday, Gina! You should send out a Christmas card with Livi and her 2 sisters. And post it on the blog of course 🙂
Awww, happy birthday!! She’s so gorgeous! I love your monthly Liv updates. It makes me excited to be a mom someday!
As I new mom (3 month old), I am quickly realizing just how AMAZING motherhood is. I love watching my little guy grow and learn/take in new things daily.
Liv is absolutely precious.
Aww happy 11 months Livi! She is so precious, time has really flown.
Gorgeous child!
Gina, I came across this today — of course I thought of you!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/107169533/unique-personalized-gift-your-name-here
omg i love that!
I love it! She is so precious and already so big! I am so excited to hear my baby start talking and babbling… but I will also take every day in stride and not wish away those early days just to get to that point, as exciting as it seems!