Another Month Older....

This sweet boy is 10 months old...two more months and we will be celebrating his first birthday. Breaks this mama's heart. I can't believe how quickly his birthday is approaching. I really, really need time to slow down.

Jackson, you are such a little delight. You are a happy, energetic, curious, fearless, determined, social and smart little boy. You go, go, go every minute that you are awake. You always want to move and crawl. You play well but also like to explore and check things out. You love soaking up new environments and I absolutely love watching you learn! You enjoy copying mommy and daddy and smile/laugh nearly all of the time. You are also very social and love to smile at others whether at the grocery store, play dates, restaurants, etc. We are so blessed to have such a happy baby. You truly have an amazing personality! You continue to grow like a weed. That is no surprise though - we all expected you to be one tall little boy!

Here is an update on the past month:

• Security object - you carried a plastic red hammer with you everywhere for most of the month. I truly mean everywhere - grocery store, church, bed, while eating, while crawling, out to dinner, on a walk, etc....photos to evidence this below. 
• Pulling up/Standing - you continue to pull up some and are standing better when holding on to a table or toy. We ended up hiding the red hammer a week ago and you've been trying to pull up more. You never tried when that thing was around because you would not drop it!
• Stairs - you've climbed the stairs twice (both times to splash in Cooper's water bowl that we thought we placed out of your reach). We finally got a gate put up so that we do not have any accidents. 
• Opening & closing doors - you love to open and close doors and cabinets. Sometimes you even shut me out of your room silly boy. 
• Throwing - you continue to throw objects, usually a ball, and chase it then throw it again. It is so cute and you can keep yourself entertained like this for a while. 
• Copying - you are copying more actions. Two of my favorites are drinking from a cup and brushing your hair. You have a set of nesting cups that I pretend to drink from then you take the cup and inhale then exhaled loudly as if you are making the same sound that I do. So cute! I also brush your hair after a bath and you take the brush when I am done and rub your head with it (sometimes it is more of a bang!). I've caught you "brushing" your hair with other objects too.
• Playtime - you love to knock over stacks (such as blocks or your nesting cups). You also seem to love chaos. Everytime I organize the toys or put smaller objects back with the bigger toy they belong to, you crawl behind me and throw all of the pieces out again. Another favorite of yours is to pull all of the books off of the shelf in your room. Mommy is learning to let go and accept the messes. I love that you play so hard!
• Social interaction - you definitely seem much more interested in older kids. You really enjoy your two cousins and like to follow them around and play with them. You are also intrigued by smaller babies but mostly prefer to do your own thing when around other babies your age.
• Separation anxiety - I believe this developed last month, but you definitely have a little separation anxiety from mommy. It is mostly just in our own home - you want me to be by your side most of the time. Thankfully, this has improved a little in the last week or so. You also do fine during church in the nursery. Although this is flattering and I love that you love me, fingers crossed this stage does not last too long
• Food - you continue to nurse four times a day and eat 3 meals. We've increased your food amount some. You seem to keep eating as long as food is in front of you and enjoy everything. New foods this month include kiwi, nectarines, and peanut butter. You are eating more finger foods, mostly soft fruit or bread products. We will continue to work on this.
• Sleep - you've stretched out your bed time over the past couple of weeks and are staying up closer till 8:00. You were waking up earlier with the sun but are sleeping until around 6:45 or 7:00 now. 
• Naps - You continue to take two naps for about an hour or so each. 
• Teeth - you have two upper teeth that are ready to cut through. However, the speed that yours come in, I'm not sure if they will be all the way through by next month's update! 
• Favorites - red hammer, nesting/stacking cups, balls (including a mini basketball - yay!!, and mommy's socks (gross, I know!!).  

We continue to have a lot of fun together. We try to get out and go for a walk each day and schedule play dates with friends. You seem just as happy and healthy as ever. I'm thankful for each and every day spent with your smiling face! 

Pictures from the last month:

I can never resist a sleeping pic. :)

This was the start of the red hammer..

Cheese!

Just chasing Max...

A little basketball anyone?

Yum, red hammer! 

Red hammer while I'm eating...

and reading good night stores...

and going on a walk...

and drinking a bottle....

The laundry is so fascinating...can't wait till he can help! 

How did he get so big? More red hammer...

Red hammer while I play...

and chew on teething toys...

Beach time! No hammer...

Say what?!?! This face cracks me up! 

and red hammer while he sleeps....you get the picture! 

Yummy, pancakes! 

Checking out his toys.

The boys waiting for daddy to come home. 

Happy 10 months to the sweetest, happiest boy I know! We love you!!