Tonight as I rocked all twenty something pounds of you before bed, I prayed, as I often do in your case, for time to slow down. I prayed to let these last few weeks, days, and hours pass slowly because I know too well every time I look into your big blue eyes, babies simply don't keep. And as you try with all your might in everything you do to gain more independence, I pray that you will stay my bitty baby for just a little bit longer.
Today you are eleven months old, one month away from the big one year old status. Everyday your personality grows as we see more and more of your loud, wild, courageous, kind, soft hearted spirit. You wake up everyday with a smile, and usually an 'a-dah', and fight bed time most nights, simply I believe because you don't want to miss out on the action. This trait carries throughout the day, for when I pick you up and put you on a hip you turn your torso out so you can face forward and greet everyone who makes eye contact with you. Like your brother, you are a happy baby, and your face lights up even with the smallest hint of acknowledgement.
You are literally moments away from taking your first steps. I may be making a bold assumption, and may have to eat my words later, but I think you will be full on walking before your first birthday. You hold no fear of falling and are quickly letting go trying to take off on the freedom of your two feet. We bought you a walker to help get you there, and you zoom about the house on that. Just like days after we brought you home, you talk all. the. time. You mimic sounds we make and we can get ma-ma and da-da out of you.
Right now you are a momma's boy, if I leave the room, or walk off without you, you start hollering because I left you behind. The only times I can quickly disappear are when you are playing with your dad and brother. You love that dad doesn't hold you with kid gloves anymore and lets you roll around on the ground with him and your brother. And you are a little fighter, I think here soon you will be beating your big brother up for which ever toy he doesn't let you have. He secretly loves that you have begun to play with him.
You now have four teeth! And are as happy as a clam that I have started giving you table food when we sit down to eat as a family. You love to be included in meal times, and sit happily picking up whatever I offer you on your tray. In the last week we have transitioned you to whole milk and you seem to be doing great with the change. And in a few short weeks we will take your bottle away for good, a move that I know you are ready to make.
When I think about this time last year, anxiously awaiting your arrival, I never could of imagined the sheer joy and sunshine you would bring into this family. Your little big personality makes our days brighter and we are so happy to call you ours. Happy one last month as a 'baby' sweet Finnegan James!
