Our Journey, His Work

One month shy of being a ONE YEAR OLD!

It seems like the pace of change in little man is RAPID! He's growing and learning at a rate that blows my mind.

What do we have going on over here this last month (from 10 to 11 months old)?!

He's taking steps ALONE. Just a couple of weeks before he turned 11 months old - he would let go of things, walk a few steps and then grab a hold of something else or slowly sit on the floor. Since that point, he continues to take more and more steps.
He pushes his little walker around practically running. It blows my mind. At first, when he would run into things he would cry out but after a couple of days he figured out how to literally DRIVE IT. He will run into something, back up and keep moving to get exactly where he wants to go. He can steer it LIKE A BOSS!

He's very much into climbing up onto something and trying to get back down. He does realize when he gets to the edge of something (like stairs) that if he keeps going forward he will fall down them so now he is trying to edge his way down slowly.
His understanding of what I am saying to him is fascinating. "Jayden, you want to go outside" and he about jumps out of my arms. "Jayden, do you want a waffle?" and he goes nuts! "Jayden, go get the ball" and he'll go all the way across the room to get the ball. "Jayden, where is your tractor?" and he will take off to the next room to get his tractor.
Not only does he understand what I am saying - he is adding more and more words to his vocabulary daily. I think it's hilarious that the words he is saying just happen to be all of his favorite things. Outside of ma ma and da da - some of his words include DEER, BALL, DOG, TRAC-TOR, SQUIRREL!!!!!!
And yes, he continues to LOVE to stand at the window and watch the crazy action in our backyard with the squirrels and birds. He also LOVES going outside to put the corn out for the squirrels.

He continues to give the sweetest SUGAR ever.
His sleeping continues to involve 2 naps a day (8-9:30 and 12-2) and he consistently goes to bed between 8 and 8:15 every night. He sleeps through the night for the most part except waking up once sometimes which he generally goes right back off to sleep.
He loves to go for a ride in the stroller and he's SO observant. He's observant to people and anything and everything going on around him.

He is a HOOT at restaurants. He's so into all the people and people watching that he's thoroughly entertained by all the action going on around him that sometimes we cannot even get him to focus to EAT.
Oh, his love for water just GROWS.
He seems to eat most things and loves to feed himself. His favorites are real bananas, cheerios, crackers, blueberry whole grain waffles, puffs! He is still eating and loves baby food carrots, sweet potatoes, oatmeal blended with fruit, peaches, pears, etc. Some of the other table food he has been chowing down on are green beans, black beans/corn (mexican dish I make), mac & cheese and SPAGHETTI!

He loves to go outside, throw the ball and he absolutely LOVES riding his tractor. I really thought it was WAY too early to be getting a toy like this but we strap him in and he's ready to drive/ride for hours!

He loves going on hikes & snoozing on hikes too hehe!

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HIS SERIOUS FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He loves his orange blanket

HE LOVES ANIMALS! Our neighbors just got 2 labs and Jayden LOVES them. He'll scream "DOG, DOG, DOG" when he sees them! We also have horses by our house which we see daily too.

He loves to hold anything in his hand whether it be a spatula, toothbrush (and yes he knows how to brush his teeth), a broom, grass, or a STICK!

His eyes are so blue and his hair sometimes appears to be blonde and strawberry blonde.
He's in 18 month clothing for the most part and still sporting size 3 diapers.

Here are a few 11 month shots in the chair (which all he wants to do is STAND IN IT)! I am not even sure how we managed to get a picture of him actually SITTING and looking at the camera - it seems nearly impossible to get a photo like this these days. HE WILL NOT LOOK b/c he's preoccupied by everything around him.

A few snaps of family time last Friday also!

I wonder whose hand that is trying to get my oatmeal?!?!

Jayden & Nana!

Jayden's FIRST time in the creek (which was FREEZING might I add).

Here goes several attempts at a family photo (HAHAHAHAHAA):

We have a VERY active 11 month old on our hands and we could not be more thankful for his fun, crazy, energetic little self!

SPRING always brings to mind the newness of LIFE. Every year it is absolutely fascinating to watch the winter end where everything is DEAD and the spring begin where things begin to BLOOM and turn SO green and colors are popping out all around. Isn't it quite interesting that we celebrate Jesus' resurrection at this time of year - the spring - where this beautiful, newness of life and colors and blooms are everywhere?!?! The fact that Jesus was raised from the dead so that we all may have newness of life, eternal life - here and now and always - at the most perfect time of the year. God is so GREAT!

This past weekend (and the previous week) - we squeezed in some extra things like planting flowers, working around the house, hanging out with friends/cousins and riding Jayden's new tractor (from Uncle Travis & Pa).

Life in pictures....

Rance really thought Jayden needed sunglasses while outside when I tried to convince him that Jayden would never keep them on. Regardless, he is pretty cute in them!