The Ivesons: Stage Two : 11 Months... and a day

My baby is one month away from being a toddler. He is 11 months old and one day. Yesterday this post didn't get written because I was scrambling to finish packing (see next post regarding our upcoming Army PCS) and Jack had a miserable cold.

Jack has had runny noses before, but I think those were mainly attributed to teething. This week Jack has had a miserable, nasty, no good, very bad cold (Yes, I know that is not how it goes, but as I was typing I just had to add those last two). Jack has not had a fever, but he has had some green gunk constantly dripping out of his nose. I use the boogie bulb and seem to clear it all out... and not one minute later it's running away again! Poor baby. It is so difficult for him to nurse or eat the baby food pouches we have been using since we packed away his highchair. He has to suck then stop to breathe. Less than ideal. Last night he would snort every two breaths as he slept. I am thankful he sleeps in our room for now so I could keep a close eye and ear on him (the fact that he slept most of the night curled in my arm helped too).

Jack is growing and learning. Just this past week I've begun feeling worn out from carrying him for an extended period of time. He is still such a snuggly baby, which I love, but Momma needs a break from holding him sometimes! He likes to "help" me cook and clean and do practically everything else... but that means Momma has to hold him. For this reason, I am thankful he is getting ready to walk. He is so steady on his feet when he stands unassisted that I know it's coming soon. He can bounce up and down (his version of dancing), clap, and do baby squats all while standing unassisted. He just doesn't have the confidence yet to take those steps.

Jack loves to play games. He chases me around the table both walking while holding the table and crawling. He loves playing peekaboo and pulls curtains, blankets, his shirt, and just his hands in front of his face to play. He loves music and dancing. He is such a jabber mouth. When we play with other kids we're constantly getting the comment about his talking. He babbles to anyone who will listen and to himself. He says a bunch of words, some that are only understood by Momma but a few that almost anyone can understand. He loves to roam free- he is such a little explorer. He is fearless, which can be good and bad. So far we haven't had any serious accidents, which I am so thankful for... but we have had some close calls! Jack also plays catch. He plays catch either sitting or crawling. You roll a ball to him and he'll catch it and toss it back to you. He has a surprisingly good aim! He does this consistently and not just haphazardly throwing the ball every which way and sometimes it happens to go in the right direction.

Jack continues to have excellent fine motor skills. He is so particular when he picks up toys or food. He also has great observation and memory skills. We will hide toys and he'll find them. He thinks it's funny when we hide toys or match toys together that do not go. He will move the toys around so they are correct. He also has quite the sense of humor. He will do something funny then look at us with this little grin that says, "Did you see the funny I made?"He mimics faces we make at him which is such a hoot!

Now, my Mommy moment: So, it is no secret that Jack's one vice is his sleeping habits. I honestly don't care that much that he doesn't sleep through the night or in his own bed. I am still in the mindset that it is more time I get to spend with him. When I look at my nephew and nieces I can't believe they are so big (11,10, 8, 8, 3, and 1). I want to cherish every moment I have while Jack is a little baby. Anyways, so I have begun... climbing into his crib with him to get him to sleep! Yes, I did in fact get the idea from the video that went viral a few years back with the dad who did the same. Jack will calm down, snuggled up, and settle down in his crib. After he's good and asleep I'll slip out. He won't stay in his crib all night yet, but this is much easier than trying to put him in his crib after he's fallen asleep. So... my Mommy moment: the other night I was doing this. No big deal, nothing out of the ordinary. Well, I wake up an hour or so later... Yup, I had legitimately fallen asleep in the crib with Jack! When we bought his crib mattress I was a bit jealous because it was nicer than ours! Our crib is smaller than most so we had to go with what fit. Well, the mattress sure is comfy! Lucky baby!

At 11 Months old, Jack eats plenty of baby food (Gerber 2nd foods and Plum Organics pouches), plenty of table food (almost anything we eat except the baby no-nos like honey or peanut butter), and nurses at least 4 times throughout the day, including nighttime feedings. He has begun to nurse less, which makes me happy and sad all at the same time. Guess that means it's time for another baby, right? Not kidding at all- we are super ready for Jack to be a big brother and are so excited that we are finally going to be a regular family again so that is at least a small possibility.

I am amazed every day by my baby. Sometimes it's just looking at him and seeing how beautiful he is. It is so humbling. God used Matt and I to make this precious child. Then he entrusted us with rearing him. Whoa, big responsibility! Lord, please show me how to do right by him.