Dear Andie... You're 11 Months Old

Andie,

Adorable, sweet, lovable, and a smile that lights up our whole world... your spunky little body is the cutest thing, and we can't get enough of you!  It's amazing how much you're growing and changing every week.  We have spent the last couple of days in Palm Desert and you are loving the pool!  You're quite the brave baby, jumping right out of your floaty and into the water.  Scared me to death the first time!  You want to swim so badly, and it frustrates you that you can't do it by yourself.  But even with those moments of frustration, you have been screaming with happiness, smiling at strangers and embracing your celebrity "status" because the senior citizens think you are the cats pajamas.

You are scaling walls, pushing anything you can reach, crawling at the speed of light, and understand what "no" means.  Sometimes, instead of listening, you do what we tell you not to do and you flash us your "look how cute I am" smile.  Sticking to our "no" is quite tough, but we know we have to - otherwise we will be wrapped even tighter around your tiny little fingers.

This month, you became fond of giving 'high fives' and finger bumps (Pops taught you that one).  You are still nursing several times a day and eat pretty much anything.  Your favorites are still bananas (you eat a whole one every morning), avocado, bread, black beans, and sweets... you LOVE sweets - and we are really looking forward to your first Birthday party when you can smash into your cake.  We've gotten some practice in with ice cream, popsicles, and frozen yogurt... we can't eat it in front of you with out you making your way over to us and grunting until we give you a bite.  You are very familiar with your high chair and the high chairs at restaurants - you've become very comfortable with eating out, we do it quite often.

Gramz got you a convertible car to drive in outside... and my goodness, you love it!  We have taken that thing everywhere with us so you can "ride" - the store, Town Center, the mall, you name it.  You seem to really enjoy being outside!  You still are not a fan of riding in the car... but occasionally, you do okay.

Your daddy loves to play with you... tossing you in the air, chasing you, snuggling with you.  He tells me about 100 times a day how cute he thinks you are.  He loves you to pieces and it warms my heart to see you two together.  We love watching you play, make noises, and concentrate.  You are very observant and catch on to little things we teach you fairly quickly.  We think you are a good baby, sweet, laid back and content.  On the flip side of that, you are determined and know what you want... and you are not afraid to let us know!  You are absolutely, with out a doubt, our favorite part of this blessed life we live.

You are wearing size 9 month clothes, size 3 diapers, and have such tiny feet we still have trouble keeping socks or shoes on them.  You have been sleeping pretty well, usually 7-8pm until 7-7:30am, and I am very fortunate that you do well.  You still wake up every once in a while, and secretly, I don't mind - our quiet time in the middle of the night is so precious to me.  You are a petite little thing, but you seem very healthy.  We still have many nicknames for you: stinker, little butts, Andie Jean Jean girl, baby butts, love bugs, pumpkin butts... and you answer to pretty much all of them.

Last night, I was leaning near you to get something out of your diaper bag, and you leaned in to me and gave me a kiss on my lips - it was unsolicited, and I felt your love.  I was so touched.  You are truly such a sweet little baby girl, I still can't believe you are mine.

My baby girl, your big blue eyes are so beautiful.  I can't believe this is your last month before being 1 year old... time has gone much too quickly.  I admire you and love you with out limits.

Love,
Mama