11 Month MacKay

This boy hit his 11-month-mark on his Daddy's 31st birthday.  We forgot to take his 11-month pics on this day, but that' what happens when you're still trying to unpack those last few boxes and get used to a new place.

So, what's this boy like as an 11 month old?  Well, he's as busy as ever.  I turn around and the next thing I know he's all the way to the top of the stairs, or crawling over to some electrical outlet.  He loves balls, and this month said his first word (besides Dada or Mama):  "Ba" which means "Ball!"  Whenever he sees a ball, he reaches, grabs, dives or cries for it.  While he was sick (he has another cold again), we even put a soft ball in his crib.  He loved it.

(Whitney took the ones of me and Bubba.)

He also started saying, "Uh Oh" and blows us kisses.  So very cute.  When we ask, "How big is MacKay?"  He puts his arms in the air as we say, "SOO big!"  He loves interacting with us now- and I feel like the 'baby' in him is leaving and he's starting to be so aware.  Now when he starts to do something mischievous and I say, "No, no, no."  He usually stops what he's doing.  Yes, I know this won't last long.

MacKay always has some sort of bump, scratch or bruise on him.  He falls down a lot.  He doesn't seem interested in walking, he just crawls so very quickly.  I call this phase of life his "adventure" phase.  He's always on some sort of mission to discover un-lidded toilets (2 x in one day, mind you.  Yes, he had his hands in the water, so nasty!), crawl onto the open dishwasher or undo something that's just been done.  Busy, busy, busy.  He loves to just drop things on the ground and go through everything.  Messes follow him everywhere.

This month, you've grown a few teeth.  You currently have four on bottom and 2 1/2 on top.

This 11-month was a challenging one for MacKay's health.  He got his first and second ear infection.  Went to the doctor over half a dozen times and started waking up at night.  We're all very tired around here.  I'm wondering if you've been sick so much lately because you put EVERYTHING in your mouth.  Your older sister never put anything in her mouth, but it's your first instinct.

He usually still naps 2 times a day, and when he's feeling normal, he'll sleep 10-12 hours.  Pray that he gets over this cold soon.

MacKay's adjusted well to the move.  As far as we can tell, he doesn't care where he is as long as his Mommy or Daddy are near by.  He adores Whitney and his face lights up whenever she runs into his room in the morning.

Feeding MacKay is a bit tricky as he doesn't love pureed baby food much anymore.  He does love cheerios, string cheese, fishy crackers, noodles, beans and bits and pieces of whatever we're having at that moment.  He still drinks around 24 ounces of formula a day.  Is that a lot?

MacKay doesn't mind strangers.  If you smile at him he'll usually reach for you and want you to hold him.  His little smiling eyes are so cute and he has the most contagious smile and deep belly giggle.

He loves to cuddle and be rocked when he's sleepy.  He loves to have the side of his face pressed up against our chests when we rock him to sleep.  And he LOVES that binky.  Whitney's religious about NOT letting him have it unless he's in his crib.  She'll pluck that thing right out of his mouth.

Even though 97% of the time, we refer to you as "Bubba" you only respond to us when we call to you saying "MacKay."  I guess you don't like your nick name?

Oh MacKay, I can't even believe that you're almost 1!  Where did this last year go?  You have been such a joy in our home.  You bring so much peace and happiness to the crazy women in the home.  You remind me so much of your Daddy, very happy and content.  You really are such a sweet, sweet boy.

I love you so much!

P.S.  You are in your crib, going down, for a nap right now.  I think you just threw your binky out of the crib and said, "Uh Oh!"  Yes, you know exactly what you're doing.