11 down, only 1 more to go before the BIG O-N-E

Alyssa is 11 months old, which means that she is only one month away from turning the BIG 1!

She is learning to recognize body parts and can point at Mommy's foot, Daddy's foot, or her own foot when asked. She also waves and makes sniffing sounds to imitate us. She has a "fake laugh" when she hears us laughing, and she says "Gooo" as she points to lights. She pushes things away, which I do not like; and she has also learned that she can scream very loudly and practices her new voice quite often.

This was a Q&A session with Alyssa. I did not prompt her with any of the answers. She has learned to respond quicker now, but this video sums up most of the things she has learned over the past couple months.

Alyssa's fine and gross motor development continues to improve every day. She has learned to push and pull all the buttons on the majority of her toys. It is always fascinating to see her learn how to operate a new toy. The latest toys she has mastered are the electronic storybook and steering wheel--she now turns the wheels and pushes all the buttons. Alyssa is moving around a lot! She scoots, pulls up to stand, crawls, and cruises a little. She can sit up on her own from supine or prone positions and rolls around in her crib during the night. She always manages to get to different places one way or another.

Riding my car

One of the first times caught on camera that Alyssa pulled up to stand. I love how she claps (the new way) and starts dancing when she hears the music.

Alyssa has tried more finger foods, which now include cheerios, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, yogurt melts, bagel pieces, and a taste of some Middle Eastern cuisine. Her favorite foods are oatmeal, pears, and toast. She has also tried diluted pear juice and drinking breastmilk in her sippy cup. She loves to feed Mommy and Daddy her food, and we end up taking turns feeding each other.

Yummy!

Alyssa is still wearing size 3 Pampers diapers and has started wearing some 18 month outfits. Her feet reach the second level of the highchair footrest, and we had to adjust the shoulder straps on her carseat a couple months ago since she is taller now. Alyssa's other physical characteristics have not changed a great deal (except that her hair is much longer), but her personality continues to change each and every day. Some people say that Alyssa most resembles Mommy while other people say that she looks like Daddy; but, we both agree that she has some of the same traits as each of us.

Cutie

Like Mommy
Loves to sleep
Likes routine
Eats slowly
Needs to multi-task (Alyssa needs to be distracted to eat or have her diaper changed. Mommy likes to do numerous things at one time in order to get things done.)
Likes going on walks and shopping
Outgoing once comfortable with people
Learns new things quickly
Sleeps on her back or side at night
Content when alone
Excellent hearing

Going down the slide with Mommy

Like Daddy
Wakes up in a good mood
Fussy and eyes get red when tired
Likes food warm
Easily distracted
Loves being outside
Likes to talk and speak loudly :)
Loves the water
Moves around a lot
Excellent sense of smell, taste, and sight (Alyssa always seems to smell her food before she takes a bite. I think she does this in order to determine if it is something that she wants to eat. When she doesn't want to eat a certain meal, I mix it with oatmeal to hide the smell and she eats it. This is proving to be more difficult the older and smarter she becomes though.)

Riding the carousel with Daddy

Daddy making Alyssa laugh

Here is what we have been up to the past month:

We traveled to Cleveland for Easter (as described in the previous post).

After unpacking and settling back into our routine at home, the weather warmed up and we enjoyed taking many walks the past few weeks. Daddy even started taking Alyssa on short walks in the mornings on the weekends. We aerated, seeded, and fertilized the yard and planted flowers and mulched outside. Alyssa also watched us wash the cars and absolutely loves being outdoors.

Enjoying the warm weather outside on the patio swing

Mommy and Daddy took turns watching Alyssa while each had a dentist's appointment. A commercial was being filmed for the dentist's office while Mommy had her exam. So, Mommy will be in a local commercial!

Baby Fun Time themes included frogs, bugs, rabbits, and birds. Alyssa picked out her very first library books, and she loved looking at them for a week. They were 3 board books that included one on sign language, one about birds, and one with various rhymes.

We visited the city park. We have not been to the park since Alyssa was 3 months old. This time, Alyssa rode one of the horses on the carousel while Mommy and Daddy stood next to her and held her rather than riding in the car seat on the carriage like last time. Alyssa also went down a short slide on Mommy's lap a few times. We cannot wait to take Alyssa to the park more often this summer so that she can ride more of the rides and the swings.

Daddy went to Boston for a few days for work. His flight home was cancelled so he stayed an extra night.

I took Alyssa for a free class at Little Gym. She was in the Birdies group which includes 10-19 month old children. She was one of six girls in the class and the youngest one there. Activities included using the gym equipment (rubber mats), walking on her hands with help on the balance beam, playing with bouncy balls, practicing walking with a hula hoop, and playing with bubbles. Alyssa loved popping the bubbles that landed on the mat.

We went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant with the Fergusons. Alyssa and Mary loved waving to the other kids in the adjacent booths.

LikesGiving kisses
Standing
Moving around
Bathtime
Books
Lights

Ready for bed after bathtime

Dislikes
Wiping hands and face
Sitting in high chair
Hats and hoods

Alyssa in 'da hood