Messy Eater

Dear Seth-o-rama,

You turned 11 months old on Tuesday! You are within spitting distance of one year old, but in the meantime, we’re enjoying each (fleeting) day of your babyhood. And each day you are learning more and more! Sometime in the last month you seem to have mastered turning board book pages and standing up without pulling up on anything. And more and more, you are learning how to really communicate with us. You can tell us you want to be picked up or held, and when you want to go see something — that something is still usually a light switch, the oven or toaster, or the stereo. You are obsessed with all things glowing or electronic, and could happily play with buttons or switches for hours. Mommy jokes that we should just get you a clock radio and a wet washcloth for Christmas, and you’ll be happy. But thankfully, you’re usually happy anyway.

You had a little cold the past two weeks, and it slowed you down slightly, and made you a bit cranky, but you were otherwise not bothered. We also got you a set of real shoes, and you have been practicing walking with them on. With them, we let you roam around the backyard, and you love it. You pick up a wee handful of dirt, or a single leaf, and carry it around while squealing and laughing. You like to practice using a spoon during meals — you can usually pick up the spoon from your tray and get the food successfully into your mouth!

We love your sweet voice. You have taken to making an audible “eating” noise, and are getting ever closer to saying words. You say “ma-ma-ma,” but it can refer either to Mama, or when you’re excited to eat. You say “Da!” either to Daddy, or when you see something really neat. We also love cuddling — you can give us kisses, and lay your head on us.

Getting in and out of the car seat, and diaper changes (still!), are a bit hard for you. We’re also still doing a lot of coaxing to get you to sleep. But could anyone else get us to laugh like you do, by dancing, or taking your socks off and licking your big toes?

You are so energetic and curious, it’s a challenge to keep up with you sometimes, but we will always love you from your great big brain to your busy toes.

All our love,
Mommy and Daddy

Seth's new shoes