Beaver

Someone has stolen my sweet, adorable little boy and replaced him with a beaver.

A few weeks ago, I came home from work and Dad asked me, "Would you like to see what your son, the beaver, did today?"

There was a spot on your crib where you had taken off the finish.  Daddy wrapped a sheet around the spot and we were ok for a few weeks.  Then I noticed spots on the opposite side and on the front of your crib.  So we went to the fabric store, bought some fleece, and I made some crib protectors for the rails.

Your Mama is not a crafty person, Wombat.  Crafts and I don't get along.  Give me a computer and I can digitally craft like a boss.  Actual crafting...no.  Anyway, two of the protectors came out fairly good.  The third, well it was kind of a mess.  It's too long.  I tied it on anyway and hoped for the best.  Judging by what I found the other day, I need to remake the protector.

The beaver strikes again!

The good news is tooth #7 is already poking through your bottom gum and I think I see the beginnings of #8 on the other side.

We love you, Little Beaver.

NC Bucket List

Growing up, Daddy and I were lucky enough to be exposed to a lot of really cool experiences.  European adventures, World Cup games, multiple museum and zoo trips...we were truly blessed.  We want you to see and experience as much as possible, Wombat.  We have made no secret of the fact that we do not plan on living in North Carolina forever.  I'm sure it is a wonderful state and there are a lot of beautiful places that we have seen, however, this is not the kind of place we want to raise our son.

Therefore, I've been compiling a North Carolina Bucket List.  It's a list of attractions/activities I would like to do as a family before we move (in no particular order).  We may not get to them all, but it will be fun to try!

The Wombat's North Carolina Bucket List

1. North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro)
2. NC Aquariums (Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, and Jennette's Pier)
3. Marbles (Raleigh)
4. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh)
5. SciWorks (Winston-Salem)
6. Greensboro Science Center (Greensboro)
7. The Biltmore (Asheville)
8. Apple picking in the mountains (Asheville area)
9. Children's Museum and Science Center (Rocky Mount)
10. Discovery Place (Charlotte)
11. Port Discover (Elizabeth City)
12. USS North Carolina (Wilmington)
13. Shackleford Island (Beaufort)
14. NC Lighthouses (Outer Banks)
15. ...Camp?  But in cabins, not tents!  Mama doesn't camp in tents.

So. Much. Trouble.

Month 10

Age:  10 Months

Favorite activity:  You love being around people.  You like watching them, you like them watching you.  If you're being social, you're happy.

Honorable mentions:  You are a hair's breath away from walking.  We see you getting braver and braver.  Daddy will let go of you while you're standing and you'll stand there for several seconds...until you realize you're unassisted and then you sit down/grab onto something quickly.  Crawling is all well and good, but you're dying to walk.  You push toys that aren't meant to be pushed just to practice more.

Least favorite activity:  Diaper changes and naps.  Diaper changes continue to be a screaming, screeching, wrestling match with a wild animal.  We just try to get finished as quickly as possible.  

Milestones:  Two days ago, you started signing "more."  It's so cool to know you understand!  For 10 months, we've been having one-sided conversations with you and hoping you understand.  Seeing glimmers of understanding are exciting!  You're learning so quickly.

Oh, and then these was this...

Words:  We have a first word!  One morning, I was getting my breakfast around and you crawled over to the baby gate to watch (you often watch me get breakfast going).  As I walked back to the closet, out of sight, I heard, "Ma ma ma!"  Your daddy and I looked at each other in shock.  "Does that count!?"  I asked Daddy.  "I don't know!  We always said if he could do it again, we'd count it."  Daddy replied.  When I picked you up to say goodbye, I got several distinct "Ma! Ma! Ma!"s.  You even smacked Daddy's hand away when he went to take you from me.  Everyone is shocked that you said Mama before Dada.  Mama, however, is thrilled.  

Oh, we also think you say "baby," "hi," and "mee-at" (meow/cat).

Sleep:  Lately, you've been fighting your afternoon nap.  Today, you were up from 11:30 this morning until your bedtime at 7.  I fear our days of two naps are coming to an end.  However, you are putting yourself to sleep consistently each night so we will get by on one nap a day.

I need more toys, Mama...

Best Moment:  One word: Mama.

Worst Moment:  Honestly, I can't think of a worst moment this month.  Maybe my memory is getting shorter or maybe things are getting easier or maybe I just love every single second I get to spend with you.

Eating:  You are now eating breakfast (fruit & grain; i.e. apples and oatmeal), lunch (veggies), and dinner (protein and veggies).  On the horizon, we are going to start transitioning you from the bottle to a cup, but I'm not 100% sure how to go about it.  Oh, and you learning this (TODAY!)

"I can explain..."

Teeth:  No new ones poking through, but I think I'm seeing some white on your bottom gum.  As Daddy said today, "here we go again!"