Eleven Months: Puppy Love

Dear Ella,

Today you turn 11 months old. You’re going to be one before I know it! You’re already so much more of an independent toddler than a baby.

You’ve made a number of advances this month. Physically – your first top tooth made its appearance. And the two next to it aren’t far behind. You can stand on your own for a few minutes at a time. And you’re a climbing machine – you’ve gotten up onto the open door of the dishwasher and onto the dining room table from my lap. Cognitively – You now imitate your dad and me when we click our tongues or say “mama.” And you pretend to drink from a cup. Emotionally – you LOVE your dog. You can’t get enough of that sweet puppy love. Whenever Katy is lying on the carpet, you crawl all over her and laugh when she licks you. Appropriately, your first word (aside from “mama” and “dada”) is “Dog.” It sounds more like “Daw,” but you say it whenever Katy is near.



You love to be outside and dig in the sand and the dirt. I told Grammy that you’re going to be a gardener, just like her. You love picking tomatoes from the garden, but don’t want to wait until they’re red.

You’re finally starting to get the concept of putting stuff “in” – and not just taking them out. Although this hasn’t translated to picking up your toys that end up strewn all over the living room, your bedroom and in Katy’s dog bed …

The other big news is that you’re down to one nap a day. We need to talk about this, because this is when I get stuff done. And shower. (You don't want a stinky mama, now do you?!) On a related note, you’ve almost completely stopped sucking your thumb. I guess this is good news for your teeth in the long run (hopefully no brace-face for you), but we had a tough few weeks where you had to learn how to go to sleep without it.


Your favorite foods this month:
Watermelon, apple, bananas, peas, broccoli, ravioli, turkey and pizza

Much love,
Mama

P.S. A great big thank you to Grammy and Papa for your cool new climbing structure!