Lucas William {Eleven Months}

Dear Lucas,

Somebody hold me! My sweet little newborn baby is somehow just one month--thirty short days--away from his first birthday. How could that be?!?! I've gotta say though, you've had quite a month, and you are seriously the most fun, lovable, joyful little guy...and I would gladly trade NICU/newborn Lucas for 11 month Lucas any day :)

Height: 29.25 inches (46 percentile)

Weight: 21 pounds, 3 ounces (61 percentile)

Clothes: 12 month clothes, with a few 9 month and 18 month things mixed in (depending on the brand...). I feel like I also need to mention that you actually wore 3 month shorts the other day. I've said it once, I'll say it 100 times...BOYS CLOTHES MAKE NO SENSE! ;) Still in size 3 diapers. 

Nicknames: Lou-Lou/Lulu, Lou-Ba-Lou, Baby brother, LUUUUU-cus, Joy Boy, Hiiiiiiii guy/little guy, crazy crazy, crawly crawler, crazy character, Mr. Crazy, Mr. Smiley

Milestones: I've finally counted your first word, "Dada," because you say it pretty frequently when actually looking at your Dada. You also say, "Ehhh-ahhh" for Ella, and make lots of cute noises that have nothing to do with anything, like "babababa," and "gggggggg." I've also heard you say "nay nay" but you still don't associate that with your grandma (Ella calls my mom Nay Nay). You have finally figured out waving, but usually only wave at yourself in the mirror, not at anyone else! You've made some pretty great gross motor strides this month. You learned how to climb up the stairs, which has been equal parts hilarious and petrifying for me. I still need to put those baby gates up! {Procrastinator of the year right here.} You stood up unassisted for about 3-5 seconds 2 weeks ago, and of course I didn't get a picture (so it doesn't count 😜)! Daddy and I have tried to get you to stand up for us again, but every time we let go of you, you instantly make yourself sit down. You do it so gracefully, and I truly think you can stand up by yourself....you're just being your usual stubborn self and that's ok! I know you will stand when you're ready (or when you think we aren't looking, ha!). Your crawling is insane, and resembles a bear crawl (this!). You are getting places real quick these days! You're still pulling up on any and everything you can...even Mommy's purse (which is not even that stable--another reason why I think you really can stand up by yourself)! You've gotten one more tooth in this last month, and have 1 just now coming through your gums, and 1 more that I can see but hasn't popped through yet.

Sleep: I can't even imagine what our lives would look like if I hadn't called that sleep consultant a few months ago! I am so grateful to her!! You are still sleeping 6/6:30 PM until at least 6:15 (sometimes as late as 7!) AM. We've skipped a few morning naps here and there... you definitely aren't ready to drop them anytime soon, because you've gotten extremely fussy on the days this happened! You normally nap from 9-10:30 AM, and 1:30-3:30 PM. I never thought I'd say this...but you are a GREAT sleeper, Lucas! 

Best Moment: Celebrating your first Easter and taking you on lots of Easter egg hunts!

Worst Moment: Nothing is coming to mind! You have your cranky times, but nothing is sticking out to me as a really bad moment!

Likes: Ella, putting everything in your mouth, eating, "If You're Happy and You Know It" song, the ABC song, pulling up on everything, your "chomp chomp" walker, musical instruments, people's shoes, bath time, balls, Elmo, PUFFS.

Dislikes: You do not like to be confined anywhere. You cry for a second or two when we put you in the car seat (we just moved you to the convertible, and it's a little less constraining, but you're still not the biggest fan), and you try to pull yourself out of just about any situation. Still not the biggest fan of diaper changes either.

Health: A very healthy month! 👍

Eating: You are seriously the best eater ever. Daddy jokes that you and he are the only ones who really eat around here, and Mommy and Ella just eat garbage (partially true...I do love my pasta and cereal, and Ella loves her pouches and granola bars!). You had special pimento cheese and egg salad for the Master's a few weeks ago and you gobbled both of those right up! You also tried mac & cheese and that was a big hit! The only way we can keep you occupied (doctor's office, church, etc.) is with a big ol' container of Puffs. You ate over 80% of the container during Easter service at church!  You could take or leave my milk at this point...but you're still nursing 5 times a day!

Lulu, I can't believe we are almost to your first birthday!! I've loved watching you grow this past month; you continue to amaze me! You are very determined, yet so sweet and friendly. You smile at everyone who will give you the time of day when we are out and about. One nice lady smiled at your in Target, and we kept running into her throughout the store. She just loved you! You two were best buds by the time we got to check out. I honestly do think you brighten so many people's days when you smile at them. You are my joy boy, without a doubt! We love you so much and can't imagine our family without you!

{And, just for fun...Ella at 11 months}