Dear Carson…11 Months and Counting

I’m getting anxious ya’ll…anxious at this sweet bundle of baby goodness is approaching the 1 year mark and I’m not sure my little heart can take it :(. When did I get to be such a sappy momma??
Hey Little Bit! Yes, it’s true…11 months and we’re inching closer to celebrating your very first birthday next month. I couldn’t have fathomed this year would pass so quickly, and yet it has, but let’s touch on all the fun stuff you’re doing right now.

Growing, Growing Gal. You big chunk of cuteness…I swear you grow by the minute right before my eyes. You’re in 9-12 month clothing right now and some of it is starting to get a bit snug. You still take 3-4 bottles a day (about 24 oz total) and you eat 3 meals with 2 snacks. Recent food favorites include shredded deli meat, mac and cheese, steamed green beans and corn, bread, rice, blackberries, bananas, grapes, apples, sweet potatoes, and anything else you can get your hands on. You don’t really like breakfast food, except eggs and sausage as of late (a girl after my own heart!). Oh heavens, you make the BIGGEST messes with your food, which is totally opposite from your neat freak sister… I swear, we clean the floors 4+ times a day because you love to “sweep” everything off your highchair tray after you eat, kindly letting us know you’re done. And let’s not forget about how much you insist on rubbing any and all food in your face, hair, outfit, etc…we should buy stock in Oxy Clean. You have 6 teeth, but are working on 2 more right now, so you’ve been a “bit” fussy, but I can’t complain too much. You moved up to size 3 diapers this past month, too!

On the Move and Nonstop Action. I don’t know how you do it, but from the moment you wake up at 6AM you go 110% until naptime. You are crawling everywhere, into everything, and are wanting to walk so badly that you get really mad. You cruise on all the furniture and stand up on your very own big girl!! Carson, you constantly gaze at your sister and I know you are itching to be doing the exact same things as her…running, playing outside, riding in her car, etc…soon enough, Little Bit, soon enough, but I’m the one trying to keep you in a sitting position :). You still take two naps a day, one in the morning (about an hour) and then an afternoon nap (about 1.5-2 hours) and then you go to sleep each night around 7:30pm. You’re still a mama’s girl through and through and you are most content when you’re perched up on my hip…everyone laughs because you are ALL about me and only want your mama most of the time. You’ll be happily playing with someone, and then when you see or hear me, you turn and ditch them and start crying REAL TEARS if I don’t immediately scoop you up. I just tell myself this phase won’t last forever and one day I will be itching for you to let me hold you so I’m savoring all of it for now.

Endless Entertainment. It’s crazy the things that keep you occupied, as you seem to be a technology guru…remotes, phones, DVD players…if it has buttons, you want it and won’t take no for an answer. Carson, you love to play with blocks, love to get in the ball pit with CC, love stroller rides and doing anything outside, love playing in the backyard (especially the grass), and are starting to get excited when you hear a cartoon on (though it seems only Mickey Mouse and Doc McStuffins are allowed as of late). We have started reading books sometimes at night and you really enjoy it…oh, and don’t get me started on bath time-you go NUTS when you hear that water and instantly try to dive in. Makes for fun evenings when I can sit there with both you and sister splashing away in the tub.

It’s simply amazing to see your personality develop and to see how much you have changed since you were an oh so tiny newborn. You smile ALL the time and I swear it’s the sweetest smile I’ve seen. You babble to yourself and to everyone around you, but you still tease me with the “mama” and say “dada” way more often. I love you peanut…you’re practically perfect in every way my dear and I cannot wait to celebrate your first year of life next month with all our friends and family.