The 11 Month Post

Slightly succeeding in sitting still.

Well, another month in Maia's first year of life has come and gone, and once again it was a month filled with lots of activity and new experiences.  As Jackie says when we have our reflective moments on how much Maia grows and changes seemingly on a daily basis - you miss where she was (the cuddly baby who was so easy to hold) but love where she is at (exploring the world).  And right now, the month between 10 and 11, Maia was, simply put, a lot of fun.

Every day more and more of her personality is coming out, as she learns to be silly and just play and interact with us and others.  Particularly this last month, it seems Maia is more into engaging us in her play, as opposed to us just being around.  Lately, she has shunned many of her toys in favor of pulling out books and flipping through the pages, and sometimes even bringing the books to us (and often, tasting the books as well).  Some of the engaging play is handing toys back and forth.  This development leads to hilarity at other times in the day when she really believes that her mom or dad need to try her pacifier.

Yea for Michigan State!

Life is exasperating sometimes.

Every thing is new, and she wants to get to it all.  Whether it be a TV remote, a cell phone, a random cord, or especially Ellie's chew toys, she wants to grab it, taste it, shake it.  She moves around so well now that special attention must be paid to where things are placed, as she has become very quick at crawling, as well as shuffling along the furniture.  With her new push toy, she alternates between walking behind it on her knees, and on her feet.  With each passing day she is closer and closer to walking, having taken a step (and once or twice two) before re-clutching the surrounding furniture.

"Why do I need toys when there's remotes!"

The last month also included a couple of trips - up to Lansing for my grandmother's 90th birthday and down to Turkey Run State Park for Jackie's birthday experience (more on that new tradition here).  At my grandma's party, she met many new people among my uncles, aunts, cousins.  After some initial shyness that seems typical around this age, she warmed up and seemed comfortable after awhile.  She also got to spend some time with her cousins, Gavin and Bree, at my folk's place afterward, which was very nice.  The Turkey Run trip, and the tradition of birthday experiences we hope it starts, was simply wonderful.  (And had its very own, special blog post! :)).  Traveling with a baby who's at the stage where they always want to move requires some planning, I suppose, but Maia continues to be such a great baby in that regard, for which we remain very grateful.

Socializing with the cousins.

The last month also included Maia's first Halloween, and while we didn't go out trick-or-treating, she was dressed up as a cupcake and helped her mom and dad hand out candy.  Of course, Halloween is the worst night of the year for Ellie, who believes the house is under constant attack.  Unfortunately for Ellie, being dressed up as a pumpkin does not help her street cred.

"So...I'm a cupcake?"

"And Ellie's a...pumpkin?"

The last month also included Maia getting "really" sick for the first time since she had RSV in the Spring.  Cough, congestion, low grade fever - the pediatrician referred to it as "crupe."  Jackie and I juggled our schedules so Maia would be home; this turned out be a very good thing as Maia also decided to cut her first top tooth during this time.  So, between her mouth becoming a drool factory and her nose becoming a snot faucet, she had a wet couple of days.  But, while she was a little more ouchy than usual, she seemed to handle it in stride like she does everything else (up to this point).

"Grocery shopping is the best!"

We are now heading into the last month of Maia's first year - her first Thanksgiving, and, though technically her second Christmas, what will feel like the first time we celebrate Christmas as a family, after the surrealness of last December.  We will celebrate her first birthday.  In some respects, it may be a little sad to see that first year end (it's the only one she'll ever have).  But, as Jackie says, I imagine we'll love where Maia will be (after all, she'll only have one year two as well).

Our wonderful little cupcake.