WEA at 11 Months

The countdown is officially on!  Less than one month and my little man turns 1 year old!  Please Lord, make this month last twice as long as normal.  Thirty days just isn't long enough to relish this last baby month.

My little man is really becoming his own little person with his own amazing little personality.  He is still such a sweet, happy, and lovable little guy.  He's not quite as easy-going as he used to be but I think that's just due to his personality coming out.  He wants to make sure he's not known as a push over :)

Walker's 11 Month Milestones/Achievements/Random Tidbits:
~he is cruising all around the house.  He loves to walk on his own while pushing anything that will move with him....usually a chair, toy with wheels, boxes, etc.
~he can even stand alone momentarily.
~he has discovered the stairs! He was already two steps up one day before I even realized where he had gone.
~he loves to drink water from a sippy cup, a cup with a straw, and even out of a regular cup.

~he is still a pretty finicky eater. He doesn't like chunky textures but if I'm eating it, he has to have it, too. So that means he is now eating eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches, pb&j sandwiches, waffles, cereal, and more.  As long as Savannah and I are eating something, he's eating it too. 

~he babbles constantly!  He probably has to in order to make sure he's heard over his sister.
~he has become very vocal when he doesn't get his way and he will actually become a little aggressive towards Savannah when she takes one of his toys.  This means he will yell at her, jump on her, and probably pull her hair.
~he is very interested in other people his own size.  There is one little boy about a month younger than Walker that he plays with every Wednesday while Savannah is in music class.  Walker is constantly all over this poor little guy.  Normally he is just trying to give him a hug and a kiss but because Walker to soooo much bigger it looks like he is squashing him.
~he can destroy my house in a matter of seconds but he also can help clean up.  If he sees me putting toys into a bin then he loves to help out by putting everything into the same bin.
~for the most part he is sleeping through the night......ALLELUIA!  Unfortunately he also wakes up a little too early--5:30ish....ugh!
~his nap schedule has been a little erratic.  Some days he will take his normal 2 naps but other days he will take one really long nap and refuse to go down for another.  I'm not so sure I'm ready for only one nap a day.
~he gives big, slobbery, open-mouthed kisses on demand.  They are one of the the highlights of my day :)
~he has 2 top teeth and 3 on the bottom with one about to push through any day now.

~thankfully he has plateaued in the weight department. I think he still weighs about 29 pounds and he's still wearing 18-24 month clothing and size 5 diapers.

during S's 4 year photo shoot I managed to snag a few of my little man

yes, he really is always this happy

pushing his block around

still loves bath time

his new favorite form of exercise

I hate to say it but I'm really not looking forward to next month even if it is "the most wonderful time of the year".  I'm just one of those mama's that hates to see my babies growing up.  If I could keep them both under the age of one forever, I most certainly would.  That first baby year really is my favorite.  There's just something about holding this little human that I made, that is totally dependent on me, that thinks I'm the greatest person in the world.  Then add in all those yummy, squishy rolls and toothy grins and I just melt.  I suppose I'll never get over my baby fever :)

Little man, I love you more than you'll ever know.  Here's to a wonderful last baby month!  

Savannah's Princess Tea Party

After months of planning and countless hours preparing, Savannah princess tea party finally occurred.  She had 12 of her best girl friends over to our house for two hours of magical fun.  Even Cinderella stopped by read the girls a story, help them to make their own crowns, and painted all their nails.  Afterwards, we all had a light lunch of crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit, cheese, and crackers.  Then it was time for cupcakes, petit fours, cookies, macaroons, and candies.  

I think it's safe to say that everyone had a wonderful time.  Savannah was the perfect host and was very gracious and accommodating to all her guests.  It couldn't have gone any more perfectly.

Savannah with her first guest, Katalin

Walker and I waiting to greet the princesses

meeting Cinderella

story time

the tea room

the place settings

craft time

Helen and Lila

Maggie

the finished crown

the birthday girl getting her nails painted

Lucy and Caroline

the whole group

time to bust the piñata

What a fun and totally girlie party!  I'm not sure how I'll be able to top this one but I'm already working on ideas for next year :)

Savannah Grace turns 4 Years Old!!

I can't believe it!!!  I am the mother of a four year old!  My sweet Savannah is now a full blown preschooler.  Yes, she has been in preschool for over a year but she was still somewhat considered an older toddler but now there's no mistaking.  She is definitely a young child.  I've never been able to picture myself as a mother to older children, just babies and toddlers.  But now I've got one and it's making me feel a little old.....and a little sad.  Sad that Savannah's baby years are behind us and I'll never have them back.  I miss those days and yet at the same time I look forward to her future and I'm excited about all our fun days ahead.

Here's a little update on my four-year-old Savannah:
~her speech has improved immensely!!  I now watch her have conversations with other kids and adults and I'm not having to interpret for her.
~she has a wonderful imagination that comes across in her pretend play, her drawings, and her stories.
~she loves to read and be read to.  No, she can't really read but she pretend "reads" to her babies daily.  I get such a kick out of listening to the stories she makes up.  
~she is quite the little artist.  She loves to paint, color, and draw.  I'm always amazed at how well she can color in coloring books but her free-style pictures are really something special.
~she has an unbelievable memory.  It's amazing how she can remember events from last year, friends who have moved away, and conversations from weeks ago.
~she has such a sensitive soul.  You really have to be careful because she can get her feelings hurt very easily.  She also is very empathetic.  She doesn't like to see any one get hurt and see any one sad.  She will even break down and cry over a broken vase.
~she has started to tell little lies.  She will accuse Walker or even Lilly Belle of making messes, breaking things, spilling things, etc etc.
~everyday we struggle with taming her temper.  She is definitely a feisty one and that's saying it nicely.
~she loves her baby brother almost a little too much.  He is the first one she greets every morning and she always gives him a kiss and hug before bedtime and all naps.  She is constantly hugging and kissing him and just all-around smothering him.  Thank goodness he's such a big boy.
~she is at the age now where she doesn't like to play with boys.  She tells me that boys play boy stuff and girls play princess stuff so girls don't play with boys :)
~she is finally breaking out of her shy shell.  She no longer hides behind my legs when other adults talk to her and usually she will be the first to start a conversation with them.  She has definitely become my little chatterbox.
~my sweet girl is definitely growing up.  She currently weighs about 38 pounds, is just under 41 inches, and wears a size 4-5 in clothes and a size 10 shoe.

Now that Savannah is old enough to understand and respond to questions, I'm going to include a list called "All About Savannah" on every birthday post.  So here is the first list.

All About Savannah

1. Favorite color: pink
2. Favorite song: I'm a little teapot
3. Favorite toy: baby dolls
4. Favorite food: spaghetti 
5. Favorite drink: chocolate mik
6. Best friend/s: Jane, Lila Byrd, Helen, Katalin, Amelia
7. Favorite game: matching games
8. Favorite book: How do you make a rainbow
9. Favorite place to visit: Grams and Grandaddy's house
10. Favorite place to eat out: California Pizza Kitchen
11. What do you want to be when you grow up: "I don't want to grow up!"
12. Favorite holiday: Christmas
13. Favorite dress up costume: pirate Izzy

Here are some pictures from her birthday morning.  See came running down the stairs to find........a new big girl bicycle!!!

going for a spin around the house in her nightgown

now all dressed and ready for school

home from school and ready to open presents

Happy 4th Birthday my sweet Savannah Grace!!  I can't wait to see what all awaits you this year.  I love you to the moon and beyond!!