11 Months Old!

I am absolutely amazed with all of the things these boys have discovered since the new year began!

Mason, who figured out how to give kisses many months ago, gives them much more frequently now. Occasionally daddy gets some, but he often gives kisses to mommy (when he deems it an appropriate time to do so) – and they are the big open-mouthed-drool-all-over-the-cheek variety. I LOVE it. But he really loves his Daddy and gets a huge kick out of him, using Daddy as a jungle gym and getting rides on his shoulders. He has learned how to clap and claps for himself because he's so proud that he is such a good clapper :) He is a very fast crawler now, but is all about standing up anywhere and everywhere and is constantly testing his balance to try to stand on his own without holding onto anything. He also is the most interested in having books read to him. He can actually sit in your lap long enough to hear a whole story, while his brother has already flown the coop and is off to check on other things. He is doing really well with table foods. But if he puts something in his mouth that he does not like - he will make a dramatic Mr. Yuck face to let you know his thoughts on that particular food. The biggest trouble he has with table foods, is that he does not know 'when to say when.' Anything that is on his tray goes into his mouth, regardless of the amount of space currently being occupied by other food. It is promptly removed if it is something he dislikes, but otherwise, it stays put and he will put his finger in his mouth to push food over to make room for more. So we have to limit the number of items put on his tray at any given time. If he wants more of a food he will open his mouth and close it and open it and close it over and over like a fish. He also loves making motor boat sounds and blowing raspberries. And if we are out, especially out somewhere to eat, he has found that it is very fun to let out random shrieks. Really loud shrieks.

Ethan is not much of a kisser, but he definitely hugs! And he loves to give Mommy hugs. He especially likes to hug Mommy very very hard when it's time to go down for a nap - he holds on with a vice grip in hopes he can get out of having to go to sleep. He does this while also shaking his head back and forth vigorously so that I definitely understand that no, he does not want to take a nap. He wants to be very clear so that I fully understand his great displeasure in having to take naps. His favorite activity is taking things off of the changing table and spreading them all over the floor. He taught his brother this fun game. But recently, he has started also putting things back on the changing table (this is Mommy’s favorite game!) This has also carried over to other activities. He has started trying to put the shapes back into his shape sorter instead of just dumping them out and scattering them to the far corners of the room. He loves to play basketball with is Dunk n’ Cheer basketball set - and actually puts the ball over the hoop and lets go! Only, it took him a while to not be afraid of the sound effects of the cheering little kids that happen when you do a "slam dunk". When he heard that he used to turn and quickly crawl up anyone who was close by. Sometimes Daddy, sometimes Mommy, and sometimes “big brother by a minute” Mason! He had the same problem with the laughing worm-in-the-apple on his exersaucer. He does so-so with table foods right now and definitely has opposite eating habits of his brother. If he thinks he won’t like something he won’t even put it in his mouth to try it. And he will not put another piece of food into his mouth until he has chewed and swallowed the previous piece of food. He likes books, but, for the most part, would rather eat them then read them.

Both boys have prefected crawling and standing while holding onto something and are huge fans of Daddy's "Rocket Blast-off" game. They also both love their Gabby so much and still squeal when they see her, grab fistfulls of hair and try to throw themselves on top of her to give her bear hugs. She walks right up to them and lays down for her abuse, so I have no sympathy for her - she's asking for it!!

The swings are an absolute favorite past-time right now and there are some very sad boys when it is time to leave the swings and go home. There are also some very unhappy boys when it is diaper changing time. They are not at all fans of this and do everything they can do turn over and crawl away mid-change. It has become an Olympic sport in our house. With about 14-16 diaper changes per day…it is quite the workout!