Sunday March 18th 2012 - Eleven Months Old

So chunky. We've reached eleven months old.  This time next month will be a big celebration, but for now we shall keep it small.

This month has seen the start of the summer weather beginning to creep in, and we've had the priority of finishing the garden for your party next month.  We've seen a lot of Uncle Perry and Aunty Chloe because of this, so you've been in your element with having your girlfriend around.  A lot of time for you to ogle, and when she gets her little denim shorts on, flashing the leg, I'm sure both you and your dad appreciate it! You really enjoy spending time with these guys, and it's nice to see you so friendly with them too.

Falling asleep face down on your fingers does this!

We've also been out and about with Aunty Karen and Uncle Liam, exploring a park in Lewisham.  Uncle Liam was, shall we say, still fragile from the night before, but you kept him nicely entertained.  We've also had visitors in the form of Aunty Claire and little Jack, Megan and Amelia, and also Miley, a 15 month old girl who lives locally, who Nanna Jean knows.  It was here where things got interesting.  As we know, although you like to be the centre of attention, and are as loud as possible at times in order to achieve this, you really aren't keen on other people making noise.  While playing with Miley, you had managed to set up a game where she had become your skivvy.  Miley is mobile, unlike somebody I know, who would much rather sit, throw a toy and have people like Miley fetch it for them.  So this game had begun, and Miley got quite excited, which led to a little scream as she was on her way to fetch.  True to form, you burst into tears and looked at her as though she'd just launched a vicious assault on you.  After being assured that Miley was not a beast from a different world, I asked for you to give her a kiss, and that was when the magic happened.  You both leaned in from nowhere, and planted the biggest open mouthed smacker that you possibly could.  Big grins were exchanged afterwards.  My stomach lurched, wondering if this was the start of it all.  I think next time Miley comes over, I will request her CV, and a written testament as to what her intentions with my son are.  Too much maybe?

We also had our first visit to a farm this month.  We visited Godstone Farm, which you seemed to enjoy very much.  No matter what animal we showed you and named, you insisted that it was a 'duck', so we have a little way to go before we enter an animal quiz.  There was also an indoor play area that had a lovely toddler play pen, and you found a wall of toys that span and moved, so you played away for a good while.

This month was also the beginning of our fostering training.  We've completed the first day of the induction, and will be doing the second day in a few weeks.  After that the intensive training commences so it's all go from here!

You have also had the arrival of another friend, in the form of your 6th tooth! It made an appearance on Sunday the  11th March when you had woken up, and you didn't seem to have been bothered by it in the slightest.

We also visited another mother & baby group, and again you contracted a nasty bug from it.  At first ,we didn't think that you were unwell, as you just began to seriously misbehave.  On one particular day, about two days after our visit, you were being an absolute terror.  You have taken to actually shouting at people now, if you are not getting your own way, and on this day, you were giving plenty of attitude.  You were refusing to have a nap, you were throwing your food everywhere, and my patience was seriously being tested.  Just when I thought that you had tested my last nerve, and you were going to be in real trouble, you pulled out the big guns, and ever so gently whispered....'Mum'. Tuesday the 13th March 2012.  Near enough eleven months of waiting and you completely manipulate me by saying it when I am at my wit's end with you.  You repeated it once more, just to ensure that there was no way I was going to be annoyed with you, and needless to say, you've not said it again, no matter how much pleading I've done with you.  I've no doubt you're storing it up for the next day that you decide to drive me mad.

You've also mastered identifying my eyes, nose and mouth.

This month has been fun, as the weather changing has opened up our options as to what we can do during the day.  We've gone out and about, and also enjoyed the garden a little bit, and I'm sure that there'll be more of that to come.

Considering your movement, I'm afraid we have had no improvement.  You just don't seem interested in crawling at all, and will absolutely sob if we put you on your front and leave you there.  No matter how long I leave you to roll around on the floor, you simply do just that. Roll. You have no interest in attempting to sit up or pull yourself up, and after a while you give up entirely and lie on your side sucking your thumb.  You like to be stood up, and will walk while being held, every so often attempting to make us let go of you as well.  You are overestimating your abilities in that department Olly, as you lead your walking with your head, which means your balance is completely off, and you will just fall on your face if we did let you go.  But as everybody says, it will happen when you want it to.  By the looks of it that may be in time for your 13th birthday.

This month will also be the last that you will be eating your own food.  From then on, you shall be eating the same meals as me and your father.  I should specify that it will be more similar to what your father eats, as I'm not quite over my fussiness just yet.  I'm working on it. 

The next letter will be about your last month before you are a year old. That seems absurd to be saying, but also I'm so excited to be celebrating the cheeky, intelligent and loving little beast that you are.  I love you kiddo.

Love

Mum xxx