11 Months!!

Well...sorry this post is so late -- I think I'm in denial that Caleb is 11 months!

OK seriously what happened to the last year?! Caleb is 11 months, and as much as I hate to admit it, he is now a TODDLER. Scary word, that is. Garrett has been saying it for a few months (since he started walking) but I've been insisting that he must be walking AND be 1 yr old to be considered a toddler.

However, he was officially mobved to the OTHER side of the nursery at church last week-- the toddler side. He's actually been over there for awhile now -- the nursery workers say he cries on the other side, probably because it only has the lame, not-walking-yet toys, and the little babies who are SO not as fun. Sooo I think I need to admit that he is a toddler. He toddles. However, he does not walk any more -- he runs. He runs full-tilt through the house all day, looking for the most fun (usually meaning most off-limits) things to pull out, or down, or just bang on:

He always runs with his arms out, so he looks a little like "Franken-baby"...just kidding.

Caleb gets more and more fun every new stage! He is starting to say a few "for sure" words now. (We are pretty sure he was talking before, but didnt want to be THOSE parents). He says "Dada" and "Mama" (never on command of course), and "Do-Dee" for Doggie, and he can Moo like a cow when he sees one in his books, or growl like a tiger (umm guess who taught him that...). His very first word was "No-no" though...and it was quite hilarious. Caleb's most favorite off-limits place is the fireplace, and every time he tries to open the doors he gets a "No-no" and a spank on the hand. Usually it just takes once, but he likes to test his limits around bedtime. A couple weeks ago, he had gotten spank after spank and just kept going for the fireplace. About the 4th time, before Garrett could walk over, he looked right at him and said "No NO" and spanked his own hand! I wanted to be excited that we were sure he said his first word...but seriously?! Did that have to be the first?! Oh well, I guess that means he understands what No means!

(Getting un-stuck from inside the corner cupboard)

Caleb is also getting alot more intentionally playful, which is super fun. If we make a pile of pillows he likes to "fall" on them -- totally thinks he is hilarious. Then, if he's not getting enough attention with his stunts, he tries to stand on his head:

Yea, he did this a couple weeks ago out of the blue, and I could not stop laughing -- I mean, where did he learn that?! I couldn't get a great picture, but he looks at me from upside down and just laughs and laughs! He is just a nut -- he spends the day tearing around the house with one toy or another just talking and laughing to himself. Meals are even more fun:

He also learned to "throw" (more like drop) a ball the other day, and both he and Maya are very proud of that accomplishment.

Caleb also had his first Thanksgiving, and though he didn't do great with the Illinois time-change, he was definately the cutest member at the table:)

Oh, and he voted this month:

Well, we sure are enjoying our little boy. He is such an incredible little person -- what a blessing and privilage it is to be entrusted with him and get to watch him grow up!