Happy 11 Month Birthday, Liam!

Dear Son,

Today is your 11 month mark. And what a mark you have been making on my world since day one! You are growing, kid, and I don't just mean how tall you are getting. That expanding brain of yours is workin' overtime! I am pretty sure you know what we are saying most of the time. I see you study each new thing you see and reach out to investigate further. Dad understands that need and whenever we go shopping he helps you touch EVERYTHING. Just last week he let you hold every kind of fruit so you could study each one. He pronounced the word for each one very carefully so you would be sure to retain each name (for later when you speak English).

You are walking, not just stepping here and there. You have destinations to reach and even when you trip and fall, you don't fuss. You get right back up and keep on keepin' on. I love it when you have a toy in each hand as you walk towards me. You like to show your skills. You look so pleased with yourself as you hold your loot. Such a little man showing off your strength and coordination!

Your favorite thing to do currently is play in my flower beds in the front yard. You and dirt are good friends. Mud or gravel, even better. You like to pick my flowers and scrape them in the dirt. You like to grab fistfulls of dirt and let them go, and then do it again. You like to find rocks or leaves and hide them in your fist so hopefully when I pick you up, you'll be able to smuggle your treasures into the house (for further study). You are comical to watch as you explore the world around you.

You are testing the waters of eating solids and sleeping more at night. You can drink from a straw. Your favorite word is "BA". You have two upper and two lower teeth. You take breaks during your feedings to laugh or snicker. You give goofy grins that show off that funny gap between your two top teeth. You've learned the art of going backwards down stairs. You practice this skill at every opportunity. You ignore me when I try to make you smile for the camera. You love climbing in and out of containers. Suitcases are your mainstay. You even try to get into things that are too small for you. You like to empty the paper rolls in the bathroom. You giggle at the site of water. You still giggle at the site of the cats. As I always say, Liam, "simple pleasures..."

It's hard to believe that 11 months have passed us by like a blur. It's been the most beautiful blur I have ever come into contact with. You continue to prove marvelous, my sweet boy. We couldn't have ordered up a better boy than you! Your mild nature is unique. It's such a blessing to have a child like you in our home, in our lives, in our family.

Happy birthday, Bug! You are making strides! I sure wish you could remember all these imprints you are making on our world.

Love you always,
Mom