Austin: 11 Months

Dear Time,

You haven't stopped yet.  Do you realize my baby will be one year next month?  Why do you have to move so quickly?

At 11 months, Austin:

• Loves to make a firetruck sound, growl like a tiger, and move his arm around like an elephant trunk.
• Enjoys pushing cars around, while making all kinds of boy car noises.  (I'm officially thinking boys are just born with this ability.)
• Plays in the playroom more and more by himself or with Cooper.
• Painted for the first time and loved it!
• Points at everything.  
• Says "cool" at appropriately cool things.
• Pretends to talk on the phone.
• Blows kisses (but instead of putting his hand over his mouth, he puts it on the side of his head to blow the kiss from).  
• Always tucks one hand between the mattress and the bumper when he sleeps. 

At 11.5 months, Austin: 

• Has signed: thank you, please, eat, more, milk and blankie.  (He signs 'thank you' and 'eat' on the side of his head.  The same place where he blows a kiss from.  I think this is super cute and so intrigued why he does these signs on his head.)
• Is smiley, happy, and sweet.  Everywhere we go, we hear over and over "What a happy baby you have!"  or  "What a great smile!"  or  "He is so smiley!".
• Loves the little red wagon; putting on hats (the pirate on, in particular); carrying around the long, round blocks; playing in his big brother's room; looking under furniture; and playing outside.  I'm also wondering if he is going to be a climber because he knows how to climb up all the stairs on our front sidewalk, and he always tries to climb into and out of the bathtub by himself.  I also caught him climbing onto the fireplace ledge and trying to get in the fireplace.  (I have since secured the fireplace screen doors.)
• Does not like riding in the car.  The only two things that can distract him from riding in the car: Cooper and snacks.
• Copying us more and more with sounds and movements.  I was brushing Cooper's hair this morning before school, and Austin, without anything in his hand, started to copy my hand and arm movements and tried to brush his own hair.
• Still puts way too much stuff in his mouth.  Ready for this phase to pass. 
• Still wakes up once at night.  But, I'm starting to wean him, so I'm hoping this will stop soon.  I'm sure we have some rough nights ahead, but I know we'll get there.  Right...we'll get, there...right?!  But, he is doing a great job at falling asleep on his own.
• LOVES music, loves dancing, loves playing instruments.  We often have dance parties in the middle of the day and it brings out smiles and giggles from everyone, even a tired Mama.  :)
• Loves his big brother and is showing a big interest in Drake and petting Drake.
• Has the best, most joyous smile, demeanor, and lovable personality.  I am a blessed Mama.