~eleven months~

 Today Chloe is eleven months.  It is seems unreal that I am thinking about and planning her 1st birthday party.  This month Chloe has found new freedom and independence.  She is determined to do what she wants, when she wants, how she wants.  She is into everything and still thinks it is funny when we tell her no.  Her favorite thing is to crawl to the media stand, wave at her reflection and then bite on the handles.  She has definitely won this battle.  We no longer tell her “no” when it comes to the media stand.  Chloe has also shown independence by weaning herself off nursing :( This past week she refused to nurse at night and then again in the morning.  I’d be lying if I said it didn’t break a piece of my heart.  I had planned to have her pretty much weaned at a year but Chloe decided she wanted to stop while it was still her idea.  I have tried a few other times but she just arches her back, turns away and cries.  So now I deal with a few painful days until my body adjusts.  The little rascal had bitten me a few times too, so I guess I knew the end was near.

Chloe is doing a lot of baby talk but still no “mom”.  I thought maybe for Mother’s Day or my birthday but nope.  She loves to play in her crib and chatter away and when you come in she usually squeals with excitement.  She is still cruising the furniture and is still a little timid when it comes to letting go and walking.  You can tell she is thinking about it but then decides it is safer to get down on her knees and crawl where she needs to go.  She just recently has let go of furniture and will stand unassisted.  She is still a bouncer and a dancer and wiggles her body when she hears music.

Chloe has definitely continued to be a great eater.  We call her a little goat because we are pretty sure she will eat just about anything.  She is always very interested in what others are eating and will flash you a smile or grunt to get a bite.  She also loves to feed herself.

Some cute things Chloe does are giving big, wet, open mouthed kisses, standing in her crib right after you lay her down, even if she is exhausted, and she will stand up smile and open her mouth for a kiss.  She will giggle and continue this process over and over.  This might be my favorite thing.  She also loves gripping her fingers together and trying to pull on my eyelashes.  She seems to be interested in playing with her baby doll and giving and taking away the pacifier.  When Paul and I pretend hold the baby and talk to the baby Chloe seems interested and will crawl into your lap for a little attention too.  At dinner when we say prayer, Chloe will look at us looking confused and fake laugh at us.  Chloe can have a little sass too.  When she does not want something she will bat it away and make noises letting us know she is finished.  She is also willing to share with us too.  She likes to feed us cheerios and will giggle after she puts it in our mouth.  She loves to make noises with her tongue and her mouth.  Lastly, she seems to enjoy being fed like a baby cow.  She will start eating lying in our arms but then will usually sit up and just bend her neck back and eat the rest of the bottle like that.  She is funny!

All that said, C is the cutest little love bug!  Only a few more weeks and we’ll be on summer vacation together!