Project You + Me + Him (11 Months)

You: You are 11 months old. You have so much personality. You love people, but are a little cautious at first and stick close to mommy. You cross your ankles when you sit in your high chair. You want to eat whatever mommy is eating. You like headbands and "pretties." You say "Dog!" and "Da!" and "Hi!" Every morning you want to go find "Da!" and you don't stop looking for him all day. You love to swing. You pull yourself up on everything (including Grandma and Grandpa's dog). You stand for a few seconds all by yourself without holding on. Cheese. You looooove cheese. You also like cabbage (at least you did yesterday). You're getting a little picky with food and it's always a guessing game to see whether or not you'll like something (other than cheese which is ALWAYS loved). You don't cuddle as much as you used to, but mommy still gets an occasional cuddle. You have an independent spirit. You aren't afraid of new things. You love books more than anything in the world. You're constantly reaching for a book and you flap your arms and squeal until someone reads to you.

Me: I'm in disbelief that you're getting so big. I still just stare at you for hours, amazed that you're real. I've been spending this week praying for Hope Mommies- an organization that loves on mommies whose babies are in heaven. My heart breaks for them. I know that every ounce of love I feel for you, they feel for their children. I'm so thankful for the promise of our salvation and that I don't have to be afraid of losing you. I pray that you'll fall in love with Jesus and be saved. I promise to do everything EVERYTHING to make that possible.

Him: Oh your daddy adores you. Us. He adores us. He's been spending a lot of time at work lately because he has a big deadline coming up soon, but he is with us every second he can be. I can't wait for him to show you everything he's designed in Des Moines one day. Your daddy is COOL. He just finished applying for grad school today and will hopefully be starting at the Boston Architectural College in the fall. He'll be doing the online program so he can keep working here and providing for us (cuz he's awesome). He seriously works his behind off for us and for others. Such a great man, your daddy. You obviously love him too.

Drinking your juice at daddy's work the other day!

First painting experience...you were mildly amused. Sort of. You mostly wanted to eat the paint brush.