Dear Charlie

Dear Charlie,

Dude.  You are eleven months old today and this has been a great big month for you! 

You FINALLY got your first tooth.  I mean seriously, I've been accusing you of teething since you turned four months old and it isn't until now that one finally pops through.  True, I haven't ever actually SEEN this tooth, but I have felt it and it is SHARP!  **UPDATE!  Tooth number two is peeking through just this morning!

You finally figured out how to get your belly off the ground and crawl like normal babies do. 

Speaking of bellies, you spent a couple weeks this month being afraid of belly buttons. Which meant MINUTES of entertainment for the rest of us.  We'd show you our belly buttons and you would do this high pitched little whine.  SO funny. 

You started pulling yourself up this month and "walking" around the coffee table, and even (as of the last couple days) became an expert at "walking" your new walker wagon around the house.  We got it for you for Christmas and within 24 hours you were a pro. 

Speaking of Christmas, you are NOT a fan of Santa Claus.  And you are probably wondering why we kept setting you on the lap of some strange old guy with a white beard (who is not your papa rob).  The truth is, it's ONLY for the sake of mama needing a picture.  Sorry (well, not really...mama's gotta do what mama's gotta do!). 

We play this game where I put the letter magnets ON the fridge and you take them OFF as fast as you can, you usually win that one.  And then of course your favorite game...you know, the one where you drop something (anything) and then look at it waiting for somebody to get it back for you. 

This month also brought you your first ear infection.  Poor baby.  Fortunately though, you seemed to love your pink medicine. 

You also learned how to growl, and as a result we just LOVE to ask, "Charlie, what does a bear say?" and wait for your response.  You are so proud of yourself for knowing the answer. 

You also figured out how to point to what you want, so you spend a lot of time pointing to the pantry and hoping it gets you some cheerios, or a cracker.  You also point to the Christmas tree...I think you love the lights on it. 

You're funny, and you seem to know it. 

You still LOVE reading books, tubby time, eating (waffles are your favorite!), and Curious George. 

We got you a baby doll for Christmas and you are so cute giving it big hugs and kisses. 

I LOVE when you put your head on my shoulder and your arms around my neck.  It's my favorite.

Santa brought you a Little People Farm and you love to drop all the animals down the hole in the silo and then open the door below to get them out.  You do this over and over and over.  It's so cute. 

YOU're so cute.  I can't believe you're almost a year old, Charlie!  You're not a baby anymore...you're nearly a toddler.  It makes me so glad yet a little bit sad all at the same time.  Can't wait to see what the next month brings.

LOVE love LOVE you,
xoxo
Mom

PS  For Charlie's 11 month birthday could you spare a vote for us on top mommy blogs?  He would love it.  : )