We headed up to Breckenridge this afternoon and you did great on the drive. I’m sure it’s hard for you to just sit still in a car seat for hours on end. We’ve been trying to time our drives to coincide with your naptime and today it worked well. You did wake up right before Dillon, so we stopped and grabbed dinner. You sat in the highchair and nibbled on Italian Nachos, cheese, pizza and pickles. You still do love those pickles; if only they had calories.

11 months old today!

We often walk down to the coffee shop in the morning, a mile walk each way. You ride along in your stroller, almost always content. Today we checked the temperature before we went and it was in the low 20s. I thought that sounded pretty warm since the temperatures in Breckenridge over the weekend were barely above single digits. So I jumped at the chance to get outside with you for a walk.

The walk there was bearable, but really cold. You accompanied me inside the store to get coffee, and in there we both warmed up a bit and prepared to brave the cold for the walk home. On the walk home it was freezing. I think the wind picked up and I was already chilled from the walk down, but I was just miserable. You were definitely bundled up really well, but I was amazed at how well you did given the cold temperatures. It’s so hard to gage when it’s too cold for you and when it’s ok. We tend to want to get outside often, but we’ll just have to learn that sometimes staying in is best.

Today we went to a playgroup at the library called ‘Cruisers and Crawlers’. It was so fun! It consisted of singing, stories, and play time. All of the babies were between 8 and 24 months. It’s neat to watch you interact with so many babies. Although I consider you very outgoing, you like to sit back for a bit and take it all in. I sat you down in my lap and you contentedly looked around at all the other babies for many minutes. Then, once you felt comfortable, you crawled right over to the baby next to us and reached out to touch her face. Then you moved on to the little girl next to that. You had so much fun going around the circle and meeting everyone. I hope we’re able to attend this group often, or that your nana can take you on Wednesdays.

On the first day of this new year we had a nice, relaxing day. We went out for breakfast and then we dropped your dad off so he could get a few hours of skiing in. You and I, along with the dogs, went for a nice walk and then played around the house. You love to pull out all of the newspaper from the bin next to the fireplace, or else pull out every VHS video from under the TV. You’d made a mess while your dad was skiing so I texted him a picture that said ‘Don’t worry dad, I have things under control.’

Making a mess in Breck

You created one of the best New Year’s Eve memories for me ever. Probably not for your dad though. Not a traditional NYE-type memory of raucous craziness and partying all night long, but it was even more memorable.

One of us still always bathes with you since you’re so active in the tub. Tonight was your dad’s turn. While you two were in there I was sitting in the bathroom chatting with your dad, and we were talking about how a) you hadn’t gone poop in a day or so and b) how it’d be pretty entertaining if you went potty in the tub. About that time your dad had his hands around your tummy and he felt you pushing, and you pooped! In the tub! He was justifiably shocked and disgusted, uncertain what to do, and I was laughing hysterically. Finally I pulled myself together and told him to hand you to me while he drained the tub and cleaned it out.

Even a full hour after the incident, when you were falling asleep in my arms before I put you down for the night, I had a smirk on my face that I just couldn’t wipe away. Thank you for bringing us so much joy and laughter, constantly shepherding us through new and crazy (although not always sought-after) experiences, and helping us ring in the New Year in such an entertaining way.

Your dad watched you for a few hours today so that I could ski a bit. At the end of the day you and he rode the gondola up to meet me. We grabbed some drinks, you ate some pickles, and then we headed back down the gondola. You seemed right at home both on the lift and in the ski lodge, which is a good sign for your future as a skier!

Riding in the gondola to meet mom

We headed up to Breckenridge today and grabbed lunch at the brewery when we arrived. There was a family sitting next to us with three kids; you loved watching and interacting with them. You kept smiling at them whenever they looked at you. And they had lots of fun waving and playing with you. Everywhere we go you make friends. You’re so curious and outgoing, happy and interactive, people just can’t resist.

We went out to dinner downtown this evening and ordered an appetizer of kale chips. You’d never had them before, but you loved them! You had pieces of kale everywhere, which is always the sign of a treat well-loved.

You’ve started to stand unassisted, just for a few seconds. You’ll be holding on to your walker or some furniture, then you’ll just be leaning on those things or holding on with only one hand, and next you’ll fully let go. Most times you stand for a few seconds then grab back on if your balance gets shaky.

Nana and papa left last night for NV and your dad had to work today, so we had a fun day hanging out. We headed to the mall for the after-Christmas sales. In one store you were a little fussy and I assumed you were sick of riding around in the stroller and wanted to get out. I held you for a while and then sat you down so I could look at something. You were just sitting there, looking around. And then you weren’t! I looked back down and you had crawled half-way across the store and you were under a rack of clothes. I couldn’t believe how fast you’d covered so much ground! I learned a good lesson in always needing to keep an eye on you.