Ezra at 11 Months

I can't believe my baby is 11 months old already. I felt like time was slowing down for a wee little bit awhile back, and then suddenly it just up and went warp speed on me! *sigh*

He's been a real trooper with the move back to IL. I was very pleasantly surprised at how well he adjusted to the new time zone. There were a few hiccups in the first week, but he transitioned very well. He had plenty of fun finding his way around Grandma & Grandpa Duchek's house, and of course what kid wouldn't love all the extra attention?! :) There has been no shortage of hugs and smooches for our little mister from all his adoring grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

One more month until I have updated stats on his height and weight, but suffice to say he is quite comfortable in 12 month clothes.

And no big surprise that I didn't keep much of a running log this month of his changes what with the move and all. So I'll have to wing it again to try and remember all the things he's up to these days!

• I'd say his biggest accomplishment this month has been pulling up and standing while holding on to something or someone. He is getting more and more confident in these skills, and I can hardly believe he is already at this stage!
  
  
  
• He is starting to do just a little bit of furniture walking or "cruising." He is still pretty hesitant here, but he has done a few steps here and there.
• He is positively zipping along on all fours! It's funny to see him kick it into high gear when he sees something (or someone) he wants!
• He knows how to wave bye bye or night night.
• He finally figured out how to sign for "more" and "all done," although his "more" sign is basically clapping.
• Ezra has started sharing his baths with Caiden. Some nights this goes better than others, but overall, they seem to enjoy each other's company.
  
  
  
• Ezra is definitely playing and interacting more with Caiden. Often times, Caiden is taking toys away from him, or somehow whacking him, but Ezra is very interested in what his big brother is up to. Some days Caiden seems to rather enjoy playing with him. One game he likes is to crawl around the house with Ezra.
  
  
  
  
  
• One of my favorite things is listening to Ezra and Caiden blow raspberries at each other in the car. What I like most about it is seeing (or hearing) Ezra respond to Caiden initiate this game.
• He has adjusted real well sleep-wise to the new house. He didn't sleep so well when he was away from Daddy tho! Most days he naps well, and bedtime has been real smooth. The only issue has been trying to deal with Caiden inadvertently waking him up in the morning.
• Ezra loves playing with Caiden's matchbox cars. I think he is so cute clutching a car in each hand. He also still likes emptying boxes and bins of their contents one by one.
  
  
  
• He likes to "share" his pacifier by trying to stuff it in your mouth. And he loves the game where you pretend to stick his pacifier in the wrong spot - on his cheeks, his nose, in his ear, etc.
• One thing he has discovered is trying to explore your teeth and mouth with his hands. When his nails are too long it hurts!!
• He really loves being outside and going for walks. He has been positively lighting up when we get outside. However, this nasty heat wave we've been stuck in has made this quite a challenge, so the poor kid has been stuck in doors most days.
• Often time, Ezra really wants to be held and see what's going on from the "big person's" perspective. I enjoy holding him and carrying him around, but sometimes it proves to be quite the challenge when I'm trying to do something like cook dinner!
  
  
  
• Ezra continues to be the black hole at mealtime. Such a voracious appetite! He devours his sweet potato along with just about anything else you put down in front of him. Things he doesn't like so much wind up tossed on the floor.
  
  
  
• He totally cracks us up when he's working on a poop. He makes the funniest expressions and sounds ever!
• There are times where he can be super squirmy. He just tries to crawl and flip all over you while being held and then complains when set on the ground. I'm not sure what he wants during those times, and it can be excessively frustrating if you are the one he is making into a jungle gym.
• Like his brother at the same age, he is not thrilled with being set on the grass, but has learned to occupy himself with pulling up clumps.
• Also like his brother, he absolutely loves to swing at the playground. I swear he could spend hours in the swing!

I wish this could have been a more thorough and thoughtful entry, but it is already 13 days past due and I'm afraid if I put it off any longer, it would wind up being even more terse! I also can't believe that the next update will be marking his 1st birthday! Yikes!!!! My baby is growing up too fast already!!!

And here are the links to the rest of the photos for Caiden & Ezra. (Make sure you are looking at the prior month's photos too, since those get updated thru the 22nd of each month. For example, June has more photos added of both boys.)