11 Months!

Aaden turned 11 months old today!  Aaron and I can't believe how fast it's going.  We sit here and reminisce about what we were doing at this time last year.  Let's see...I was huge pregnant, we were getting the nursery finished up, we were packing bags for the hospital, checking off lists of things to get before the baby's arrival (aka a million and a half trips to Babies R Us and Target), and I was napping all I could.  I was also getting to the point where I did not want to go to work, I was over it!  But enough about us...let's talk about Aaden. 

This is just such a fun age!  We love seeing his little personality that's emerging more and more everyday.  He is either very serious and quiet at times (usually when around a lot of people or in new surroundings) and then he is really goofy and playful other times.  He loves playing with others - right now he's into hiding behind something and then popping up and surprising people, he loves the reactions he gets from everyone. 

He is such a determined and curious little boy and you can see that by just watching him play.  He is walking more and more and getting pretty good at it and also learning how to climb things which is a little scary!  Anything that sits about 1' off the ground, he's all over it - especially the baskets we have in the house and of course his suitcases.  He's loving the outdoors - when a door is open, he speeds for it!  And we are finding it more difficult to "discipline" him or redirect him - he gets pissed when he wants something that we won't let him have.  I fear the tantrums are not too far away.

Since we have been on vacation he has learned how to point.  It amazes me that they learn this all on their own.  But I like it, it gives me a little more insight to what he's thinking or focusing on - and gives us a million more chances to teach him new things.  We are also noticing how much he loves animals - especially birds and dogs.  We keep catching him pointing at birds and when he sees a dog he gets really excited. 

And of course the sweetest thing is his kisses.  He gives them on command now (as long as he's not in too grumpy of a mood) and he gives them on his own - which is so awesome.  He always gets happy and giggles right after giving someone a kiss.

Just a few stats and facts:

• He is tipping the scales at about 24 pounds.
• He is eating pretty much anything in sight.  He loves fruit and pasta.  We now have a hard time eating because he wants anything we are having so we end up sharing our meals with him all the time.  And he doesn't care what you're eating - it could be pigs feet - doesn't matter, he wants it!  He always comes and peeps his little head over our TV trays to sneak a peak at what we're eating and then shoot those cute puppy dog eyes at us so we'll give him some.
• He is wearing size 12-18 month clothes.  But the 12 month clothes are getting a bit snug.
• We are going to be weaning him to whole milk soon and I can't wait!  We are so done buying formula (until the next one, that is)
• He still loves the bath however, he hates the bath water running.  I think the noise of it freaks him out.  He is alright with it running as long as he's not in the tub but if we put him in there while it's running he screams and cries.  He also hates the shower.  We've tried to take him in the shower a couple times to save time and he just completely freaks out.  Complete meltdown.