11 Months

Yup, it's upon us. Kalaya is officially 11 months old. And you know what that means. The next month milestone is 12 and she will be turning 1 year old! I truly cannot believe it. And yet, at the same time, I have a hard time remembering my life without her. I look at her face and think Haven't I known you my whole life? I recognize you like someone I've known for years! That face is as familiar as the one I see when I look in the mirror. But, in so many ways, it has gone so fast. I look at pictures and videos of her from her first few months and even just a couple of months ago and can't believe how much she has changed and how grown up she looks. I hate when people say, "She's starting to look like a little girl!", but I know it's totally true. She's turning into her own little person and showing her own personality.

She is so fun and curious! She makes such funny faces is I swear she already has a sense of humor. She is so giggly and smiley and content. It's so easy to read her and she is such a pleasant baby. She's super active now and is starting to get into everything. She "creeps" around slowly, but efficiently. She knows what she shouldnt' play with and wants it anyway, but responds really well when redirected. She's eating more and more willingly. She has totally mastered the sippy cup and loves drinking water as much as her mommy! She loves to explore new objects and toys. She loves singing songs and hearing stories. She loves, love, LOVES books, which just tickles me to death. I have always loved reading and have hoped to instill that love in all my children. Just today I set her up with 6 or 7 board books while I was cooking dinner. She sat there and just quietly looked at the books for THIRTY MINUTES! It was awesome. Her sleep habits are great and she's started taking longer naps. I'll say this about having a "high needs" baby in the beginning: it makes you appreciate when they get "easier" SO MUCH MORE! I find myself with 2 whole hours every afternoon and hardly know what to do. (of course, now I've jinxed myself and tomorrow she'll only nap for 30 minutes again!!) Sometimes it's almost sad, because I don't feel as needed as I used to be. Obviously she still needs me a ton, but I look back fondly at those days when all she wanted to do was be rocked or nurse all the time, never wanting to be put down. I don't look back at that and think how exhausting it was, only how bonding it was.

So, I'm planning the first birthday party! Nothing big, just inviting a bunch of friends and we'll have bubbles and sidewalk chalk for any little ones that come. I've started looking up first birthday cake recipes and really need to try some out. I know it will be here before I know it! I really need to get invitations out! That's one of my goals for this week. I think we know what we're going to get her too and I actually found TWO coupons for it, which is awesome! I'm waiting to buy it, because I don't want to get it if someone else gets it for her. Honestly though, what this kid will need is clothes. She's starting to wear 18 month stuff and a lot of the 12 month stuff is getting tighter. I'm holding out to shop until after her party. Luckily, we know where there's a fantastic consignment store!

I came across this the other day and it made me cry! She was so small and looked so different! And those cheeks were the best! Ooooohhhh it makes me ache a bit. I can't be around newborns, it makes me think I'm ready to have another one! NOT YET! I can't believe that when I was 11 months, my mom was going to be pregnant in only for more months! Just imagine! Wow.



Even this one, she looks so little and unsteady and this was only in November! Wasn't that just the other day???