11 Months

Elliott is 11 months old today. I feel like he is now in the last month of being a "baby". This is hard for me, as much as it is exciting. I can't believe a year has almost flown by since that first day when I held him in my arms. He has grown so much and changed so much...and yet...he is still my Elliott. His personality is shining. He loves to giggle at everything. Today he giggled as I chased him through my parent's kitchen. He giggled when Grandpa burped. He giggles when I wiggle my toes and when he climbs on me and I say, "Who's gettin me??" I've noticed lately that his understanding of language has really increased. He can follow simple directions like if I say "Let's read your new book" he will go over to the new book, or if I suggest playing with his piano, he will go towards the piano. He looks at grandma when I say, "Where's Grandma?" He responds when I ask him questions with a simple sigh, and a little noise. His way of saying "yes".  He still gagagagagagagag gagag agagas and points to things, but his speech is definitely more specific and directed. He has two new teeth starting to show on top and he is still working hard to learn to walk. I can hold his hand and lead him as he walks down the hall to his room, but he isn't quite ready to do it on his own yet. I don't want to rush anything. I want him to do things on his own time. He amazes me every day. I am watching him grow into a little boy every day. It is happening right before my eyes. We mailed his 1st birthday party invitations out yesterday and in exactly one month from today, we will celebrate his 1st year. I am excited and anxious. I am reflecting and looking ahead. Most of all...I am in love.

Baseball and Swimming

It's been a pretty exciting week of firsts for us. On Sunday, we took Elliott to his first Ray's game. We were able to got tickets from James Shields, the pitcher, since I taught his daughter last year. I invited David, Steve, and Grandpa and we all made our way to the stadium after buying a cute Ray's outfit for Elliott. We picked up our tickets as Elliott slept soundly in the sling. The ladies at the entrance overheard me say it was his first MLB game and they let us in through the VIP entrance and inside they gave Elliott a special "My 1st Game" button. As we got settled in our seats, the crowd erupted in cheers and clapping and Elliott opened his sleepy eyes. He had an absolutely astonished look on his face as he took in all of the sights and sounds of the ballpark. He stood on my lap and clapped his hands. He watched me eat a chili dog and pumped his arm in the air, dancing as the music played loudly throughout the stadium. We had a great time and I was so glad to be there with my dad. I know he was excited to be there for Elliott's first game. After the game, my dad and I went for milkshakes. It was a very special day.

The other big thing this week was starting swim classes. Florida is of course full of pools and water and Elliott has loved being in the water so far. He loves splashing in the bath and running his hand under the faucet as the water pours out. He loves splashing with me in the pool and playing with his water toys. Learning to be safe in the pool is important and one of the teachers from school offered to give Elliott lessons for free. We go every morning and he will learn how to float on his back in the pool. I felt comfortable since he knows Cindy and I trust her to be patient and gentle with him. He has cried each time so far, but I sit right by the edge and encourage him. He is doing well so far and can almost float on his own. Next he will learn how to hold his breath and then after 5 weeks he should be able to be safe in the water. It is hard to watch him cry for sure, but I am right there and he can see me and hear me the whole time. Cindy only keeps him in the water for few minutes each session and he goes right into my arms and stops crying when it is done. Of course his safety is number one and I think he will be proud of himself when he can do it.

Play Date

Today Elliott and I went to our first mom group play date. One of the teachers from school encouraged up to join an online group of North Pinellas moms who meet up around town for play dates with their young kids and babies. I thought this would be a nice way for us to get out and meet some other moms and kids and find some fun things to do together for the summer. We were supposed to meet at the Chestnut Park, but it's been rainy for the past few days, so we met at an indoor play space in Palm Harbor. It was just a room full of toys for the kids to play with and completely safe for crawling babies like Elliott. I set him down and off he went. I watched him make his way across the floor over to a toy that resembled his rocking horse Rody. He pulled himself up on push toys and walked around. I watched him pick up a toy wrench and bang it on the side of clubhouse as though he were working on it. He opened the cabinet doors of the play kitchen and climbed up the ladder of a small slide. I got real pleasure and joy from watching him, felt a sense of pride as I introduced myself as Elliott's mom. Glowed when the other moms told me how cute and sweet he was. We played in there for 3 hours and then came home, had an early bath, and ate dinner together. After that we played on the floor until it was time for him to fall asleep. As I rocked him tonight I told him how proud I was of him and how happy he makes me. And I know he understands.