Wow, so it is just over 11 months since Carter was born and I haven't truly written a blog post. I had written a few journal entries on our Shutterfly website, but have always intended to blog about his first year. It kept getting pushed - I'll do it tonight, tomorrow night, next week, next month, and now well, here we are - he is WALKING! 11 months old and walking. It is not too surprising to me that he is walking before a year. He is so curious with surroundings and active - crawling, walking and was very active in his jump-a-roo (bouncer). I have a journal of his milestones and it is fun to look back and recollect those special moments. But there is just something about watching your little one accomplish what seems to be an impossible and miraculous feet - walking on two legs is simply amazing. And so is his excitement. He began taking those first steps Memorial Weekend (little steps between close pieces of furniture) but still crawled as his primary means of getting to Point A to B. It was Friday, June 25th that I noticed a HUGE improvement in his confidence to take those steps. It was crazy - from leaving him in the morning to coming home that evening - the progress he had made. And it only continued at Grandma and Grandpa Zens. He was wheeling around there, albeit, slightly resembling that of a drunkard, but really getting around and not crawling much at all anymore. My baby isn't a baby anymore! He LOVES to play peek-a-boo, be chased, to chase you. I know that over the weeks, much of his leg strength was built from pushing EVERYTHING around. He finds great joy in pushing his trucks around (sideways, front-ways, doesn't matter!), the kitchen chairs and bar stools, and piano bench. He still is doing that.
With Carter's one year birthday quickly approaching, I look back on a year of many firsts that span the spectrum of emotions. Most of them have been of joy, with some (actually many) yawns in between. Actually, he has been a pretty good sleeper since he was born if I compare stories with other parents, but recently he has been waking up at least once per night and seems to think it's time to get up around 5:30.
Some other developments:
- This past week he has tried both black and green olives and loves them both!
- He is beginning to throw some tantrums. Definitely knows when he wants up and down and up and down (can't make up his mind!)
- Shakes his head "No". This started at 10 months. He doesn't always do it on cue, randomly will shake his head no. When he started really walking this weekend he started shaking his head "no" at the same time and fell over. Hmmm, wonder why!
- High-fives! He can give you a high-five (really mastered this just recently)
- Waves Bye-Bye. Not always, but sometimes. He is getting better! It is more of an arm extension up.
- He found his hands (clapped them together) this weekend
- He kisses you (when he wants to), they are open-mouth and slobbery! Jesse taught him that and he caught on around mid-May (10 months)
- He is daddy's boy at heart. He loves to turn on the stereo and DVD player. He will turn them on and then look at you, knowing he is doing something naughty. Jesse will say "Carter Zens, what are you doing?" Carter's response, he laughs! What a stinker!
- Very intrigued by the vacuum. Sadly, they are probably close to being friends. He sees the vacuum every day.
- Obsessed with his pacifier. Has to have it when he goes to sleep. It is going to be fun weaning him from that one!
