Letters: 10 months!

Luke!

You're ten months old! (Actually, you're ten months and a bunch of days, cause mommy and daddy are in the midst of making this year's Christmas something special for you and your sister...). It's been a bit crazy around here, but every day there's something your dad and I want to capture on here and haven't yet gotten to it. I hate to cut the update short - especially since I'm late in the game on this one - but what I have to highlight from the last month is a list:

Crawling: You're still crawling, just a bunch faster (and faster, and faster). We're at the stage of not being able to take our eyes off you for more than a few seconds. You're fast, and determined. You see mom or dad or Maren (or whoever you're excited to see), and put your head down and CRAWL...

Standing: You are starting to venture towards standing, and moving in a more vertical fashion. You swiftly scoot from furniture piece to furniture piece, around and around the coffee tables. And, you dance!! It's amazing, actually - as soon as music comes on, your body is moving. You grin and giggle and DANCE!

Growling: Yeah, just for the record. Recently, you've taken to growling at your sister (and then she growls back at you) - and then you both crack up laughing. And then it begins again. (Maren went through the same phase, known as "Monster Maren" phase.)

Eating a lot: Holy cow - I can't cut up food fast enough. You will eat whatever we put in front of you. And as soon as you see your bottle being made (or not yet being made), you freak out, squirm all over the place, and challenge my arm strength.

Getting up early: You're still getting up early, dude. Like, typically, before 6am, sometimes much closer to 5am than 6. That is too early for a happy mommy and daddy, so we do our best to pretend we can't hear you, but yikes that's not fun, either... so most of the time, we give you a morning bottle, and you entertain us with your snuggles until we're better able to face the day and the sun is nearer to rising.

No teeth yet: Not much more to say here. We're hoping they're in there somewhere...

Stranger anxiety - A little nervous around new people, but definitely quick to warm up to people and quick to offer snuggles to whomever...

Squealing: You've always been a noise-maker, and that hasn't changed. Lately, you show your sheer joy of someone walking into room with a squeal! You're also entertaining us with lots of other nonsense noises, including a very infrequent "da-da-da-da...." Earlier this afternoon, you looked at me and said, "Ba dagabsfleph manapfhlef," like I would know exactly what you meant.

You and Maren in her crib: Maren's favorite thing at the moment is to ask you to come play in her crib, and the two of you play and wrestle (which doesn't seem to phase you), and dance. We have lots of videos of it... which sometime maybe after Christmas we'll get it on this darn blog.

Speaking of Christmas, there is more to do to prepare for the big few days. I can't wait to celebrate your first Christmas with you, and with all of the family that loves you so much.

cuddles and kisses, and wishes for you to sleep in tomorrow,
mama (and daddy)