You really like to take things apart, or take items out of containers. I’m not sure if this behaviour is representative of most ten months old or not, but you are super inquisitive. You take apart the foam squares that we’ve put in your playroom to soften the floor. Each one has a shape or letter in the middle, and you love to take them all apart, leaving a mound of pieces lying around. You love to take the clothes out of the laundry basket and your dresser drawers, love to pull out the Tupperware from ‘your’ cabinet, love to pull out the toys from the bins in your play area, and the bins from the shelving unit. You love to explore everything, and thoroughly investigate it all.

You turned ten months today, unfortunately without much fanfare. We’re all still a little under the weather, and it was a worday, and life just feels a bit chaotic lately. But your nana was here today with you and gave you lots of snuggles and loves to help you feel better and happier. We of course fit in time for the requisite photo shoot and you were so cute and focused. It’s so funny how you like to pose for the camera and smile like a star.

Ten months old, in front of the tree

Standing ten month old

Unfortunately, we are all sick. I had a sore throat late last week and was exhausted by Friday night; I think I slept for almost 12 hours straight. But with each day that goes by I am feeling worse and worse. Your dad has caught up to me and we both feel awful. You had a stuffy nose starting late last week and by yesterday you were clearly not feeling well, unhappy and a bit tempermental. I worked from home today so was able to give you some love and snuggles whenever you needed them. You’re generally handling it all pretty well, but it is so hard watching you and knowing that you’re not feeling well, and also that you aren’t able to explain to us what’s going on. Being sick sucks.

We got a Christmas tree yesterday, the placement of which displaced your toy corner. This in turn motivated us to convert the breakfast nook into a play area for you, something we’ve been talking about for awhile. We bought a storage unit yesterday and spent a great deal of last night moving furniture and setting up the room for you (and also decorating the Christmas tree). We were so excited for you to wake up today so we could show you the tree and your new play area. I was joking to your dad about how strange it must be to wake up and find a huge tree sitting in the place where normally your toys reside. But you didn’t seem bothered by it in the least, merely looking it up and down and wanting to touch all of the ornaments. Next we showed you your play area. You looked around for a minute then crawled over to the toy bins and pulled one out. I hadn’t anticipated that you’d be able to do that, but that’s okay, they’re all filled with things meant for you. You played for a little while, but soon you crawled your way up the one step into the kitchen and set off exploring.

First time in the playroom!

In the last day or so you’ve started walking with your walker. Sometimes you sort of lean over the front of it and push it along backwards, playing with the toys on the front while you go. Other times you get behind it and push it the proper way, though often times it moves pretty fast and you quickly shuffle along to keep up. And then there are the times when you push it sideways, which it isn’t really meant to do but somehow still works. Often you run into things. Today you’ve started getting frustrated by your inability to keep moving once you run into something, and you throw the whole walker upside down in anger. It’s silly, and slightly entertaining.

Lately you’ve been content for many minutes just sitting alone and flipping through a book. You study each page before turning to the next, seemingly reading and pondering the book as you go. You look so old and mature while doing this, which is somehow simultaneously amazing and depressing. But it is so endearing, and it just melts my heart.

Peek A You!

The nanny was sick today and your dad and I both had to work, so nana and papa came over to watch you. They had lots of fun with you, and even took you for a nice walk. You were wearing your bunny slippers, and one bunny hopped off your foot and into a neighbor’s yard. After walking for awhile they realised it was gone and papa had to go back and find it. We’re quickly learning that we need to take inventory of everything in the stroller and on you at the beginning of walks, and then keep taking inventory frequently throughout the walk.

Nana and papa don’t get back from Nevada until tonight, and I had to go into work today so your dad took the day off and hung out with you. He’s been looking forward to having an entire day with you and he even commented how this hasn’t happened since April! You played and went for a big walk and generally had lots of fun together.

You got your passport in the mail today. Your first passport – I was so excited! You inspected it thoroughly, took a little nibble, then threw it to the ground. Apparently you’re not as excited as I am, but I hope you’ll share my love of travel and adventure. We’re headed out of the country twice next year; we’re doing all that we can to get that book filled up.

Checking out your first passport

I think one can never have enough Chuck Taylors. I have four pairs, but would have one in every color if the closet or your father allowed. Before you were even born you were the proud owner of a navy pair bought for you by your nana. She put a cute, polka dot ribbon in one, saying we’d use those as shoelaces if you were a girl. After you were born, Aunt Nancy and Cousin Ali bought you a pink pair that you’ve been rocking all through the summer and fall. I, coincidentally, have the exact same pink pair; I’ve had them for years. Your pink pair are getting a little tight on you and soon won’t be able to fit, so I had your dad take a picture of us in our matching shoes.

Momma and baby Converse