Eleven Months!

Gabriel, tomorrow you turn eleven months old.  You have become quite the little character.  If I had to sum up your personality in one word, it would be charmer.  You have a contagious smile and you know how to use it!  Life with you could not possibly be more exciting and fun.  You have made our family complete and we are very thankful to the Lord for having you in our lives.  Here are some of your new talents and traits -

• You are learning sign language.  Words you know well are "more" and "thank you."  We are working on finished, book, shoes, sock, I love you, play, and dog.
• You prefer Mommy and Daddy's food over baby food.  I try and feed you your baby food just a few minutes before we sit down to eat, but you usually end up eating whatever Daddy is eating.  You aren't a picky eater.  You chug water like it's going out of style.  You do not like juice.
• You LOVE your cousin Benjamin.  When he is around, all of your attention is on him.
• You also are very interested in other children.  If we are at a store or the park, you immediately notice them and focus your attention.  Likewise, if the TV is on in the background and a child's voice comes on, you immediately stop what you are doing and watch.
• You love being in the Becko baby carrier, especially when we walk the dogs.  You usually ride on my back and we sing songs as we walk through the woods.  You also love looking up at the sky when you're in it.  Sometimes I worry you will fall out because you lean back so far and stare up.
• You say Dad, Mom, and block.  Dad is very pronounced.  Mamama is more of a long Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma.  Dad is like DA-DT.  You pronounce the end very sharply.
• You still "click" with your tongue.  We all do it together.
• Your favorite book is "The Foot Book" by Doctor Seuss.  Mommy's favorite too!  Go figure.  =)
• You've started staying up later.  Bedtime is now between 7:30 and 8.  You love getting ready for bed, particularly because you love to bathe and brush your teeth.  Last night, when we headed to the bathroom for bath you shouted "YEAH" with full enthusiasm when the water started.  Daddy and Mommy laughed.  Also, when you brush your teeth, we sing the brushing song and you dance. 
• You sleep about 12 hours a night.  But you still wake up every few hours to eat. 
• You have eight teeth and weigh 20lbs.
• You think it's funny when you pass gas.  If you do, Mommy says 'Opps" and laughs.  Then you try and do it more, usually until your red in the face. 
• You're favorite game is peek-a-boo.  We usually put you on the bed and then Mommy and Daddy crouch down and either side of the bed and pop up.  You laugh so hard you fall over.
• You play dead.  See video here.
• You love helping Mommy get ready in the morning.  Specifically, when I pull out the make-up bag, you started demanding to be picked up, because you love to sit in the sink and play with the make-up.
• You wave bye-bye.
• You "walk" around the furniture and walls.  I catch you standing without holding onto anything, but the minute you realize you're doing it, you sit down.

Happy Eleven Months, sweet Gabriel.  I love you.